How to Cut Small Tile

Cut small tile with tile nippers.

Small tile, or mosaic tile, is used in many homes. Shower floors, accents and traditional tiles are all frequently two inches in size or smaller. Tiles this small are difficult to cut on a tile saw, or with a score-and-snap tile cutter since they do not have enough surface area to hold. Therefore, tile nippers should be used to "bite" the tiles where they need to be cut.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Straight edge
• Tile nippers
• Grinding stone

Instructions

1. Mark the tiles where you wish them to be cut with a straight edge and pencil to give yourself a guideline for where to make the cuts.

2. Hold the tile firmly in your non-dominant hand and the tile nippers with the other. Position the opening of the tile nippers on the small tile where you wish the cut to be made and squeeze the handles of the nippers. This will snap or cut the tile. If the tile is thick, apply a downward pressure with the nippers to assist in cutting.

3. Run the edge of the cut tile over a hand held grinding stone to clean up the edge. Run the top and side of the edge of the tile against the stone two or three times to remove jagged edges and ensure a clean installation.

References

• Floors Transformed