Tiling Tool Buying Guide
Tiling Tool Buying Guide
Introduction
Whether you’re a tradesperson or DIYer, when laying tiles, it’s essential to have the best tiling tools to hand to make the job run smoothly and get a professional finish.
This guide runs through all the essentials you need. It goes into detail about the different options available and looks at the best tile cutters and tools for different tiles and circumstances. It also covers tiling safety and preparation equipment, plus how to clean and maintain tiling tools. Finally, it highlights some key things to consider before buying and answers some frequently asked questions.
What Tiling Tools do you Need?
Every tiling job can be broken down into three stages, and there are several tiling tools you’ll need for each stage:
- Preparation: You’ll need some safety wear and tools for measuring and marking the tiles and substrate.
- Tiling: You’ll need tools to cut the tiles to size, tools to spread the adhesive onto the substrate and spacers to ensure the tiles are laid evenly.
- Grouting: Once the tiles are laid, you’ll need a tool to spread grout into the spaces and clean excess grout from the surface of the tiles.
Types of Tiling Tools
In this section, we list the popular tools for tiling which can be used for various jobs and tile types. There are those suitable for different budgets, professionals and DIYers.
Tile cutters explained
Tile cutters are specially designed tools that carefully cut fragile materials, reducing the risk of shattering the tile. They have a base for the tile to sit on and a blade attached to a sliding arm that moves over the tile as you cut. Tile cutters can only make straight cuts. For curved cuts or awkward shapes, you’ll need a tile saw and tile nippers (see further down the page for more information on these).
Different types available:
- Manual tile cutters: These tile cutters are operated by hand without the assistance of electrical power. They have a scribing wheel made of either tungsten carbide or steel that’s passed over the tile to score it. A breaking arm is then pushed down to break the tile along the scored line. Manual tile cutters can also be called rail tile cutters or flat-bed tile cutters. They are the best tile cutter for porcelain and ceramic tiles, although not all models cut porcelain, so always check. Every cutter has a limit on the tile thickness they can cut, ranging from 10mm to 16mm.
- Tile saws: These saws look like a hacksaw, but they have a tungsten carbide blade that's perfect for cutting ceramic tiles up to 8mm thick. They are suitable for making straight and irregular-shaped cuts.
- Electric tile cutters: These tile cutters are powered by electricity or a battery and are therefore more powerful than manual tile cutters. They are often referred to as diamond-wheel tile cutters because they cut using a very sharp diamond rotary blade which can cut tile thicknesses from 18mm to 95mm, depending on the model. They also have a built-in water tray that cools the blade down and reduces friction as it cuts. In addition, the cutting tray can be tilted, allowing you to make bevel cuts. Electric tile cutters can cut any type of tile, but they are the best tile cutter for thick stone tile materials such as quartz, slate and terracotta.
Top things to consider
- Tile cutters are available in a variety of sizes. When buying, ensure you choose one big enough to fit the largest tile you need to cut. And, if you plan to lay tiles diagonally, remember to check the diagonal measurement of the tile as it will be bigger than the length and width.
- When choosing between manual and electric tile cutters, there are a few things to consider. For example, what type of tile and tile thickness are you cutting? Electric tile cutters can cut all tile materials and thicknesses, while manual tile cutters can only cut porcelain and ceramic tiles up to 16mm thick. Manual tile cutters are also not ideal if you need to make small cuts, and they can’t make bevel cuts or start the cut in the middle of a tile. On the plus side, manual tile cutters are lighter to carry if you need to move them around onsite. And some disadvantages of electric tile cutters are that they create more dust and are noisier to use than manual cutters.
- Manual tile cutters have one or two rails to guide the cutting wheel. The best manual tile cutters are those with two rails because they are more robust and cut the tiles more precisely than one rail cutters.
- On manual tile cutters, look for features such as side stops and a graduated guide to help you complete high-volume cutting.
- View our range of tile cutters and tile saws.
Tile grouting tools explained
Grouting tools are used to apply new grout in the spaces between tiles or to remove old grout, ready to give the tiles a refresh.
Different types available:
- Grout floats: This simple tiling tool has a flat rubber base and a handle. It’s used to spread and press grout down between the gaps in tiles. The rubber acts like a squeegee, and it’s soft so that it doesn’t break or scratch the tiles.
- Grout removers: Grout removers include grout scrapers, grout cutters and grout rakes. Although they have different names, they all do the same thing. They have a sharp blade that cuts old grout out from between tiles. Most are manual hand tools, but there are electric versions available too.
Top things to consider:
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Grout removal can be a long job, so look for grout removers with ergonomic, comfort-grip handles.
Tile spacers explained
Tile spacers are essential tools for tiling. They are small pieces of cross-shaped plastic used to uniformly space out tiles during installation. Space between tiles is needed to allow for any movement in the tiles and for aesthetic purposes. The spacers are pushed flat between the corners of adjoining tiles or placed sideways between two tiles. They are then removed once the tile adhesive is almost dry. Tile spacers are available in widths ranging from 1mm to 6mm and leg lengths ranging from 11-31 mm.
Different types available:
- Tile spacers with breakable legs: These tile spacers can be used when you come to a space that doesn’t need a cross-shaped spacer, i.e., when tiles butt up to a wall or other object. These spacers allow you to break a leg off to create a T-shaped spacer instead.
- Tile spacers with unbreakable legs: Unlike the spacers described above, the legs on these spacers aren’t breakable. So, when you come up against a wall, the spacer will need to be placed sideways.
Top things to consider:
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What width spacers do you need? This will depend on whether you are laying wall or floor tiles. Wall tile spacers should be a minimum of 2mm thick, and floor tile spacers should be at least 3mm thick. Using spacers that are wider than this is down to personal preference and whether you prefer a narrow or wide grout line.
Tiling trowels and spreaders explained
Tiling trowels and spreaders are used for scooping, spreading, levelling, combing and finishing adhesives and mortars during tile installations.
Different types available:
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Notched spreaders/trowels: This tool comprises a thin, flat rectangular piece of steel with notches along two edges attached to a handle. The notches allow you to create stripes in the tile adhesive or mortar so that it has space to spread out when a tile is placed on top. Notched spreaders are available with different sized and spaced notches.
Top things to consider:
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When choosing a notched spreader, the notch size and spacing will depend on the size of the tiles you are laying. However, as a general rule, use a spreader with close and shallow notches for small tiles and wide and deep depth notches for large tiles.
Tiling nippers explained
Tiling nippers are used to make very small or curved and shaped cuts in ceramic, glazed and porcelain tiles.
Different types available:
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Tile nippers or nibblers: These are plier-like tools used for very narrow, small, fiddly, and irregular-shaped cuts. To make a cut, use a tile scorer to mark the line, then use the nippers to snip small chunks of tile in a controlled fashion. Tile nippers come with either tungsten carbide or steel blades and are the best tile cutter for mosaic tiles.
Top things to consider:
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When buying tile nippers, check what tile depth they can cut to ensure they can cut the tiles you have.
Other types of tiling tools and accessories
We’ve covered the most essential tiling tools you need above, but here are a few other tools and accessories which may come in handy:
- Tile files: Used to file down rough edges after cutting a tile to make it look neat and give a professional finish.
- Tile scribes: Used to score straight lines in ceramic and porcelain tiles up to 8mm thick before snapping them, using the other end of the tool.
- Tile snappers: Used to snap tiles in two after scoring a line.
- Sponges: Used for wiping and cleaning up grout from the surface of tiles as you spread it.
- Profile gauges: Used to create a template for cutting tiles to fit around awkward objects such as pipes, toilets, and sink pedestals. The gauge moulds itself around the object.
Tiling Safety and Preparation Equipment
It's important to ensure you've got all the safety and preparation equipment you need before starting a tiling installation. Being prepared means keeping yourself safe from risks and ensuring the job goes smoothly.
Here are the essential things you need:
- A tape measure and pencil to measure and mark the surfaces you’re tiling on and the tiles. A chinagraph pencil is best for marking glossy surfaces.
- Safety goggles to avoid getting dust and debris in your eyes from tile cutting and mixing adhesives.
- A dust mask to avoid breathing in the dust created from cutting tiles and the chemicals from mixing grout and adhesives.
- Rubber or latex gloves to protect hands from chemical irritation from grout, prevent cuts and give extra grip when cutting tiles.
- Knee pads to protect your knees from discomfort when laying floor tiles. This is essential for professionals who tile frequently to prevent long-term problems.
- A spirit level to ensure the tiles are level and uniform for a professional finish.
How to Maintain and Clean Tiling Tools
After using tiling tools, they're likely to be covered in dust, grout and adhesive, which, if left on the tools, will affect their performance the next time you use them. So, cleaning and maintaining your tiling tools as you use them is essential. Here's how:
- Keep a bucket of clean water and a sponge handy as you work, and remove grout and thinset from trowels and spreaders throughout the day. Then dry them thoroughly.
- Remove tile adhesive using a solvent-based cleaner. Once the adhesive is gone, rinse the tool in soapy water and dry thoroughly.
- To prevent metal tools from rusting, store them in an area with minimal moisture exposure and drastic temperature changes.
- Use an old rag to remove dust from tile cutters. And, on manual tile cutters, apply a light coating of WD-40 onto the guide rails to prevent it from sticking.
- To clean and maintain an electric tile cutter, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Key Considerations When Buying Tiling Tools
The information above hopefully gives you a good overview of the available tiling tools and what they can be used for. But, before you buy, here are some things to consider:
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What type of tile are you working with?
When buying a tile cutter, it's essential to get one that's suitable for the tile's material and thickness. For example, if you're cutting ceramic, glazed or porcelain tiles no more than 16mm thick, you can use a manual tile cutter. But you'll need an electric tile cutter for thick stone materials such as quartz, slate or terracotta, or any tile over 16mm thick. -
What space are you tiling?
If you're tiling a space with lots of things to cut around (i.e., pipes or pedestals) or awkward-shaped cuts, consider buying an electric tile cutter, as manual tile cutters can only make straight cuts. Alternatively, you can use a tile nipper or tile saw instead. -
What size of tile are you working with?
Tile cutters come in various sizes and can cut to different depths. The size and cut depth you need will be determined by the size of the tiles you're working on. Ensure the cutter is big enough to cut your tile's length/width. And, if you plan to lay tiles diagonally, check the tile's diagonal measurement as it will be larger than the sides. -
Does a manual tile cutter suit your needs?
A manual tile cutter has many benefits if you only cut ceramic, glazed or porcelain tiles up to 16mm thick. It's easy to use, light to carry onsite and doesn't produce much dust. However, cutting small widths is tricky, and you can't make bevelled cuts.