To install slate tile on a wall, follow these steps:
Fill the channel on the back side of the tile with thinset using a margin trowel. If necessary, apply additional thinset for edge-to-edge coverage. Apply pencil trim to the wall, pressing firmly to secure it in the thinset. Measure the tile to account for a one-eighth-inch (0.3-cm) grout space along the wall.
Cut slate tile with a diamond-blade wet saw, grinder, or hacksaw with an abrasive blade. Use glue or grouting specially developed for natural stone and apply it evenly. Choose products from reputable suppliers that suit the specific properties of the type of slate.
Finish tile edges using bullnose tile, pe, or pe edge trims.
Remove existing floor coverings and baseboard trim before beginning installation. Make any necessary repairs, such as renailing loose boards that might squeak.
Create your layout by placing the angle grinder against one end of the cutline and running the blade along the tile surface. A snap cutter is ideal for making straight cuts on thin slate tiles. If dry cutting slate tile, use a diamond blade in a circular saw or a bicarbonate blade in a jigsaw.
Place the slate tile on a masonry table and use a circular saw or angle grinder (with a diamond-edged blade) to cut through the straight line. Use a tape measure to measure the cut, a marker to mark the cut onto the tile, and the cutter to cut the tile.
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#TileTips #TileHacks #TileCuts #RoundWall Video transcript (what I said in the video): this porcelain tile is 9×48 (inches) and we …
How do you cut a slate wall?
To cut slate for home projects, mark the slate with a line and use tools like a chisel and hammer, handheld slate cutters, or a power saw. Practice and use the correct tools to cut straight and precise lines. Draw a straight line across the bottom side of the slate and cut along the flat underside of the tiles when cutting manually. To minimize dust production, soak the slate in water for a minute or two before cutting. Using the correct tools and taking time can lead to accurate and precise cuts.
Is slate tile hard to cut?
Slate flooring is a durable and beautiful material, but it comes with several drawbacks. It is expensive, ranging from $4 to $10 per square foot, and professional installation can cost an additional $10 to $15 per square foot. Installation is difficult, as it requires careful preparation of the subfloor and underlayment to prevent cracking. Slate tiles also require maintenance, with penetrating sealers and barrier sealers needed to close pores and create a protective surface.
Grout lines can crack and be susceptible to stains, mold, and mildew, especially in damp locations. Slate tiles come in different textures, with polished slate being smooth and rough, uneven. They have a cold, hard surface, making them ideal for radiant heating systems. Slate is also unique, making future repairs difficult. Despite these drawbacks, slate is a durable and beautiful flooring option, but it is important to weigh the high cost and maintenance requirements before purchasing and installing.
Is slate difficult to cut?
Slate flooring is a durable and beautiful material, but it comes with several drawbacks. It is expensive, ranging from $4 to $10 per square foot, and professional installation can cost an additional $10 to $15 per square foot. Installation is difficult, as it requires careful preparation of the subfloor and underlayment to prevent cracking. Slate tiles also require maintenance, with penetrating sealers and barrier sealers needed to close pores and create a protective surface.
Grout lines can crack and be susceptible to stains, mold, and mildew, especially in damp locations. Slate tiles come in different textures, with polished slate being smooth and rough, uneven. They have a cold, hard surface, making them ideal for radiant heating systems. Slate is also unique, making future repairs difficult. Despite these drawbacks, slate is a durable and beautiful flooring option, but it is important to weigh the high cost and maintenance requirements before purchasing and installing.
What are the disadvantages of slate?
Slate flooring offers a durable, long-lasting, and unique option for homes. It is resistant to cracks, scratches, breaks, and chips, making it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and heavy traffic areas. Slate is also a more upscale flooring material, adding real estate value to your home.
However, slate flooring has its cons. It is expensive, typically costing between $4 to $10 per square foot, and professional installation can add an additional $10 to $15 per square foot. Installation is difficult due to the need for special tools and careful subfloor and underlayment preparation. Grout lines are prone to cracking and can be susceptible to stains, mold, and mildew, especially in damp locations.
Slate tiles come in different textures, with polished slate being smooth and rough, uneven textures in some forms. They have a cold, hard surface, making it suitable only for radiant heating systems. Additionally, slate is hard, making it uncomfortable and should not be used in children’s rooms.
Inconsistently, slate is unique, making future repairs difficult if you desire uniformity. As a result, it is essential to consider the pros and cons of slate flooring before making a decision.
What happens if you don’t seal slate tile?
Slate floors can be easily damaged by oily or harsh spills, leaving permanent stain that is unreachable by domestic cleaning methods. When moving into a new house, the tiles appeared dirty and old, leading the homeowner to call Tile Cleaners for help. They arrived the same weekend and made the tiles look brand new, with the sealer ensuring long-term protection.
Another homeowner was unhappy with the dark and dirty grout in their dining area, which ruined the room’s beauty. They called Tile Cleaners after being recommended by their real estate agency. The cleaners responded quickly and noticed that some grout was coming off in the hallway. The house is now sold, and the owner left Tile Cleaners’ details with the new owner to keep the tiles in good condition.
The homeowner is grateful for the quick and efficient service, leaving their details with the new owner to maintain the tiles in good condition. They will definitely call Tile Cleaners again for assistance with their office tiles.
What is the best tool to cut slate?
This compact grinder is capable of cutting up to 1 inch, although it is recommended that a larger cutting implement, such as the 230mm or 9-inch blade, be employed prior to cutting, ensuring that the surface is both firm and level.
What tool do you use to cut tile off a wall?
A wet saw is an appropriate tool for cutting porcelain tile, ceramic tile, marble, and glass tiles. In order to cut marble tile, it is first necessary to peel and stick the tile in the desired shape. This can be achieved by measuring and marking the tile in accordance with the instructions provided in the accompanying video.
How do you smooth the edges of slate?
To clean a hearth, wrap 220 grit wet and dry paper around a white polishing block and draw the pad along the edge until the desired bevel is achieved. Wet the 800 grit pad with clean water and rub it over the hearth’s sides to smooth and even out the color. Clean the hearth thoroughly with fresh water and let it dry. Finally, seal the hearth with LTP Stone Oil, applying thin coats several times for the best finish.
How do you finish tiles halfway up a wall?
To finish tile edges, homeowners can use various methods such as caulking the edge, using rail moldings, using metal edges, or creating a bullnose edge. Caulking the edge is the easiest and most cost-effective solution, while rail moldings are available in natural stone and porcelain. Metal edges come in various styles and finishes, and creating a bullnose edge is another option.
To ensure proper installation and a striking finished project, homeowners can choose from various options, such as coordinating bullnose pieces with varying tile sizes or using metal edges. Some newer products, like porcelain wood-grain looks, may not have bullnose tiles available. However, there are several alternatives to ensure a smooth transition from the tile to the wall or ceiling.
In summary, homeowners can use various methods to finish the edges of their tile walls and floors, ensuring a smooth transition from the tile to the wall or ceiling.
How to trim slate tile?
To cut slates, line them up with the scored line and apply pressure to cut through the slate. Continue cutting along the scored line, ensuring a straight edge. Power tools like an angle grinder or circular saw can be used to cut thicker, larger slates that are difficult to cut by hand. When using an angle grinder, ensure the slate is securely clamped to a workbench to prevent movement and ensure a straight and even line cut.
How to cut tiles already on the wall?
Angle grinders and rotary tools are effective for cutting tile while it is still adhered to the wall or floor. It is recommended that the cut location be marked with a marker or pencil, and that a piece of masking tape be secured along the mark. This will facilitate follow-up and prevent chipping.
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You’ll learn how to cut ceramic tile, porcelain tile, marble tile, granite tile, glass mosaic tile, and other natural stone tiles.
I’m a landscaper so laugh if you want, but I’ll just get cardboard, put it up against wall, use a knife to cut it to size, and then use the cardboard as a tracer to transfer the shape onto your tile or flooring. I’m just a landscaper 😅 I think what you did is called scribing? My dad does that without that tool he just uses his hand and the pencil.
Thanks Dan. Really helpful article. I just did a bathroom tile and when cutting my “PORCELAIN” tiles they would just crack. I heard about the scribe-then-just-snap method and thought a handheld scribe would do. Boy was I in for surprise. Every time they cracked with lines running all over. Well, after listening to you describe the first two methods, I realized that I should’ve went with a water saw to make my cuts. And it makes sense, harder tile needs more power and precision to make needed cuts for your project. So next time I will be using a water tile cutter to make my cuts for the harder tiles, and now because I tuned in to your common sense article, to me, I will use the handheld for those ceramic tile back splash jobs. Thanks a million Dan, keep up the great info.
First time “tiler”. Thank you for demonstrating how to cut tiles. I just finished re tiling with subway tiles around electrical sockets which the tiler sneekily hid with grout. I used a manual tile cutter and an angle grinder with a diamond blade disc to finish the job and it looks amazing. If I were younger I would probably learn the trade instead of doing a boring office job.
Just a quick constructive comment on safety. The way you were using the grinder and the wet cutting table was not the safest way, your fingers where too close to the blades. So everyone who’s not familiar how operate these type of tools, should be careful and always read the safety manual before usage. But nice article and information, cheers!
I had all my tools stolen from a job where I was working. There was no time to get new tools, so I ended up tiling 3 large wet rooms using nothing but a teaspoon and a plastic butterknife. I wouldn’t recommend anyone do this, I have many years of experience so I could do it. The job was immaculate by the way.
Thanks for demonstrating the capability of the cheaper tile cutters. Internet reviews are full of people crying about how crap they are, but I get the impression they used them for bigger or non ceramic tiles. Gonna go buy a $50 and if it buckles, well il return it. Case closed. Appreciate your help!
What you missed are nippers. Nippers allow you to nip clean pieces off to form arcs. Or just edges to fit. Nippers are common to tile mosaic or stained glass work. I’m pretty sure you can use nippers to cut tile indentations for around electrical boxes. I think you can drill corner holes with a ceramic drill bit and nip away the tile between the holes.
Im a German tiles craftsman and I’m on my way to finish the master degree and I can say that you almost never use a wet cutter just get a good tile cutter like the first machine from top line, sigma or the classic Hufa As well a angle cutter from bosch, flex … and always always take your time while cutting
I notice that the mechanical tile cutter you are using in this article allows you to cut the tile using the base of the cutter for support; I’ve got one that requires lifting the scored tile and centering it under the bars, one edge of the tile resting on a small raised pad behind the scoring the wheel. Pushing down on the lever pushes the tile against the bars until it snaps along the scored edge. For thin ceramic wall tile (3/16),my tile cutter works except for cuts close to the edge since there’s not enough tile passing underneath the outside bar; It would seem that the tile cutter in your article would make these “close to the edge” cuts possible. Am I right in my thinking, or am i looking at one of the other methods ( tile nips, rotary grinder) for trimming tile?
Nice article 📸 there’s a job opportunity doing tile never done tile, just installed allure vinyl flooring planks but might take that offer I wna get tools for the job you think I’ll be okay with that Milwaukee M12 fuel cut off tool and the regular 50 dollar tile cutter ? Business usually does work for Ralph’s Albertsons you know grocery stores. Thanks
I know electrical tools makes work faster but I just ask what did they do in the old days where tiles are literally still holding up lol nobody looks at those and says “oh no the edges are chipped” mostly grout takes care of that. Old fashioned scribe with a twist of the modern or pencil underneath is all I need, guess I’m old school.
thank you for showing me that the tile I cut yesterday looked just like your examples-I thought I was doing something wrong with my handheld grinder on cheap ceramic (first try didn’t want to spend much money) and, that I need to be less timid about actually breaking the tiles after scoring my tiles (multiple times ha ha) I have been moving the handle down to the middle of the tile to break it and having all kinds of problems with the tile breaking in the wrong place I think I just need to be more sure of myself and try to break it with the handle at the top of the slider or like you show in the article-I hope this made sense but your visuals are great!
I strongly advice everyone reading this to never, ever, cut the way he does. From 4:47 is one of the best demonstrations of terrible safety measures that you can probably find on the internet. One split second of the blade ‘riding’ the workpiece would have cost him his fingers. Especially at 5:26. But the most concerning example starts at 5:30. He is going towards his wrist that is not even 10 cm away. I’m sure I don’t need to help you visualize what could have gone wrong here, but the scenario contains the word ‘artery’. Please watch real experts work that follow the correct safety measures. They would NEVER handle tools the way he does. In my opinion, it was absolutely reckless uploading this article for newbies to watch.
I have a grinder, holesaws ¾” – 4½”for tile, and a cheap small wet saw I picked up from a yard sale many years back just because. All of them cut tile quite well. The grinder does leave a ruff cut but I can clean it up enough. Anyway I’m still nervous on setting tile as I’ve only ever done it once many years ago. I know plumbing, electrical, I’m no carpenter but I can get by, but tile work kinda makes me nervous. Mostly because I’ve seen some horrible tile work from so called professionals and I’m not sure if they just didn’t care or either way thanks for the articles hopefully it can reassure me a bit.