From intricate mosaics to scalloped backsplashes, there are endless ways to decorate your interiors with tiles.
They’re essential in damp-prone areas such as the bathroom and kitchen but can be used in entryways and vestibules too, bringing character to your home from the very first step.
While tiling feels like an advanced rung on the DIY ladder, it’s a fairly straightforward job that most people can manage once they’ve mastered the basics.
We spoke to Adam O’Mally, customer service manager at Tile Mountain, to give us the golden tiling rules for beginners.
- Plan your layout: Properly planning your tile layout before starting is crucial. It ensures you know exactly where each tile goes, helps manage any challenging areas, and determines where cuts will be least visible. This step sets the foundation for the entire project.
- Measure twice, cut once: Accuracy in measuring and cutting tiles cannot be overstated. It prevents waste, ensures tiles fit precisely, and contributes significantly to the overall aesthetic of the finished project.
- Use the right adhesive: Selecting the correct adhesive for both the tile type and the surface it's being applied to ensures that the tiles adhere properly and remain in place over time. This choice affects the durability and longevity of your tiling work.
- Keep tiles level and evenly spaced: Using spacers to ensure tiles are evenly spaced and checking that tiles are level as you go are essential for achieving a professional finish. Even small deviations can be noticeable and detract from the appearance of the project.
- Allow adequate drying time: Allowing the adhesive to dry completely before proceeding to grout is critical to prevent tiles from shifting or becoming unlevel. Rushing this step can compromise the integrity and appearance of the entire tiling job.
The most challenging part of tiling is working out how to fit tiles around fixtures and fittings; think light switches, pipes, sinks and loos. For a clean finish, you’ll need a tile cutter. These gadgets are available as manual and electrical, each with their merits.
O’Mally explains: “A manual cutter is perfectly fine for straight cuts and can be much less messy and time-consuming than an electric cutter, not to mention less expensive.
An electric cutter offers more precision when trying to get a cleaner cut, particularly when trying to complete more intricate cuts that aren't straightforward, such as cutting shapes or corners that a manual cutter cannot complete. However, electric cutters can be a lot more expensive and not as easy to transport. It is highly important to ensure the correct cutter and cutting wheel is selected for your tile type to avoid any issues and excess wastage.”
Tiles come in all sorts of materials, from glass and marble to slate and delicate porcelain. Each one requires a different blade to ensure a precise cut.
O’Mally has drawn up a shopping list of other accessories you might need before starting your tiling project.
- Notched trowel: Used to apply adhesive in a way that ensures an even, controlled spread.
- Grout float: A rubber tool used for applying and spreading grout evenly across the tiles.
- Tile spacers: Small plastic pieces that ensure even spacing between tiles for uniform grout lines.
- Spirit level: Critical for ensuring tiles are laid evenly and flat.
- Mixing paddle and bucket: For mixing adhesive and grout to the right consistency. A mixing paddle attachment for a drill can save time and effort.
- Sponge and bucket: For cleaning tiles and wiping away excess grout during the finishing stage.
- Tile nippers or clippers: Handy for making irregular cuts or notches in tiles.
- Rubber mallet and soft cloth: Useful for gently tapping tiles into place without damaging them.
- Safety gear: Such as gloves to protect your hands and goggles to protect your eyes from flying tile fragments or dust.
If you’re looking for a tile cutter, we’ve rounded up the best options all in one spot. Including both manual and electric cutters, there are options across the budgets as well as multi-use tools to give your DIY tool kit the upgrade it deserves.
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Bosch PMF 220 CE Multi-Tool - 220W
Bosch’s clever multi-tool gadget can see to several jobs, thanks to an interface to which different attachments can be swapped. The 220W motor can turn at speeds of up to 20000rpm, assisting with everything from sanding, sawing and polishing to slicing tiles to size.
The soft grip handle means it's comfortable to hold for extended periods and it weighs just 1.1kg, keeping the strain off your arms.
Comes with a three-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £72.00, Argos
GMC 1250W Wet Stone Cutter 110mm
One for advanced to expert DIYers, this machine is made for shaping heavy stone: think minerals like marble, granite, natural stone and ceramics.
Powered by 1250W, the heavy-duty handheld saw uses liquid cooling cutting (helpful in preventing cracking and enhancing precision) to trim stone blocks and tiles for projects like patio laying and kitchen worktops. The cutting depth and angle are both adjustable, and there’s a blade guard to protect against injury.
Buy now £79.99, Amazon
Enventor Mini Circular Saw
Looking for something that you can continue to use once your tiling project is complete? A multi-tool saw like Enventor’s is a brilliant purchase that comes with six blades for cutting through a range of textures. It can cut through everything from wood, soft metal, plastic and tile with an adjustable cutting angle to get the dimensions you need.
There’s no need to worry about dust flying everywhere either; this gadget comes with a dust collection port and a dust hose - simply connect to a vacuum cleaner to get rid of mess.
Buy now £59.99, Amazon
VonHaus Manual Tile Cutter
This manual cutter has been designed to do one job, and do it well. If all you need are smooth, straight cuts, this compact cutter is your guy. It can trim tiles up to 430mm long as 12mm thick using nothing more than the measuring guide and a sharp Tungsten carbide blade. Once scored, simply snap off the tile and continue with your project.
Buy now £29.99, VonHaus
WORX WX439 XL Hand Saw - 500W
Invest in a hand saw for your DIY projects, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Though unimaginatively named, the WX439 WORXSAW XL is a real workhorse that can cut through tile, stone, brick, wood, metal and plasterboard without complaint.
Running on 500W, it comes with three blades to swap according to the material you’re working with, while a carry case means everything stays safely in one space. Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £120.00, Argos
Mac Allister 400mm Manual Tile cutter
Whether you’re using ceramic, quarry, porcelain or terracotta tiles, you’ll find it easy to cut your pieces to size using Mac Allister’s manually operated tile cutter. It can handle pieces that are up to 12mm thick using a 15mm cutting wheel to ensure clean, precise cuts. It comes with an angle-cutting guide to help you figure out the tricker cuts.
Sold with a two-year guarantee.
Buy now £32.00, B&Q
Mac Allister 500W 220-240V Corded Tile cutter MTC500
It may look like a manual but this Mac Allister cutter is electric and uses liquid to give cleaner, sharper cuts to various tile types like terracotta, slate, marble and limestone. It’s easy to transport thanks to a folding carry handle and cable storage means there’s no danger of tripping over loose wires. It can cut depths of up to 20mm and comes with a blade and two wrenches.
Buy now £70.00, B&Q
Vitrex 6 Piece Tiling kit
Is this your first foray into the world of tiling? A starter kit like Vitrex’s offers the essentials all in one handy bundle. A manual tile cutter is included, along with tile spacers, a spreader and a sponge, pencils and a grout finisher to achieve a professional-looking finish.
Buy now £28.00, B&Q
Dirty Pro Tools 600W 180mm Wet Electric Tile Cutter Saw with Diamond Blade
Hoping to breathe new life into your kitchen or bathroom? Tiles are an excellent way to give these spaces a refresh and a cutter like this makes the entire job a little less daunting. Using a diamond blade, this electric cutting saw uses water cooling to reduce dust levels while offering high-precision cutting and keeping the blade in better nick for longer too.
Buy now £45.99, Amazon
VEVOR Tile Cutter
If you’re working in a space short on mains power, a manual cutter will allow you to continue the project without needing electricity. This hand tool is crafted with high-leverage aluminium and is compact while still being strong and sturdy.
The cutter can be used on tiles of all descriptions, such as ceramic, porcelain tiles, regular floor tiles and polished tiles. Past customers have laid entire kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms with this gadget, proving its longevity.
Buy now £179.99, Amazon
