Tips for Cutting and Shaping Natural Stone Tiles

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One of the problems that keep many people from installing natural stone tile themselves is the act of cutting and shaping the itself. Unlike the glass, or ceramic, tiles, cutting the tile need to be done with a different method in order to cut the tile correctly and without damaging the stone.


Firstly, you should choose the diamond blade, which works best. Unlike regular tile, using a tile cutter or tile snips are not going to do a lot when it comes to cutting the natural stone. The best way to cut the tile is with the combination of a wetsaw and a diamond encrusted blade. The wetsaw is important for the lubrication of the water that the diamond blade needs in order to cut through the tile.


Secondly, you should cut slowly. One of the important aspects to remember when cutting the natural stone tile is to push the tile through the saw very slowly. Moving the tile through the saw too fast is going to cause the blade to bind up and either crack the tile, break the blade, or cause the saw to overheat.


Lastly, it is best for you to cut rounded corners. There comes a time when you will want to add a rounded corner to the natural stone tile, or simply cut off a small amount. You can do this, but it must be done in small increments at a time. Slowly push the edge of the natural stone tiles through the wetsaw and let the diamond blade eat through the material. Start at the corner and use straight lines to cut the corners and remove small bits of material.