The porcelain slabs that we supply here at PrimaPorcelain come in a range of standard sizes including, 40cm x 80cm, 60cm x 60cm and 20cm x 120cm. However, when it comes to laying your new porcelain paving in your home or garden, you may need to cut the slabs down to fit in a certain gap or around an existing feature. In this blog, we'll talk you through the equipment you'll need and the method you should use to cut your porcelain slabs up safely. Our full installation resource can be found here.
To cut porcelain slabs, you will need:
- A circular saw
- Durable cutting blade
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Mask
1. Safety precautions
Before you start cutting your porcelain slabs, it's paramount that you take the necessary safety precautions. While cutting your porcelain slabs, you may see flecks of stone and dust in the air. These can be dangerous because they might a) hit you at force and cause an injury or b) enter your lungs and cause irritation. Therefore, you should make sure that you have and use appropriate personal protective equipment (listed above) before cutting your porcelain slabs.
2. Choosing a circular saw
Here at PrimaPorcelain, we recommend the Rubi TC-180 circular saw which is designed for cutting porcelain. This comes with two different blade options, the dry blade (model number Rubi TCR31975 180mm), or the wet blade (model number Rubi CPC230955 180mm).
3. Choosing the right blades
Porcelain slabs are notoriously hard and dense, which means a regular circular saw might not be capable of slicing through them. Cheap blades will wear down very quickly and are far more likely to chip or shatter your porcelain slabs as you make your cuts. We'd recommend investing in a high-quality diamond blade for your circular saw. This will ensure that the cuts are clean and will reduce the likelihood of broken or damaged tiles.
We often recommend that our clients use a wet blade to cut their porcelain slabs because this method allows the most precise cuts. The water keeps the blade cool while it cuts through the tough material, this means there's less friction which means less chance of a crack or split.
Cutting the tiles
To cut your porcelain slabs accurately, we'd recommend marking where you need to cut. This ensures that you get a straight and precise finish. Line the circular saw up with your pre-drawn mark and begin to cut down into the tile, applying light pressure.
One of the biggest tips we can give you is to take your time! Porcelain slabs are notoriously hard and brittle and will begin to chip if you cut too deep too quickly. Ideally, you'll be using a wet blade which, as we've previously mentioned, will help to keep the blade cool as well as making for a cleaner cut.
If you want to cut your porcelain tiles along a curve or radius, you may need to use a hand-held circular saw rather than a fixed one, to allow you to create a contour as you cut. This method is perfect if you have garden features that you need to work around.
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Hopefully, this guide will help you cut your porcelain tiles in a safe and accurate manner. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about installation - 029 2080 3756.
