Do you plan on redoing your kitchen or bathroom tiles but don’t know which tool to use? Then this is just the right place for you. Tile cutter and wet saw are the best options in front of you for the job. Tile Cutter vs Wet Saw is a debate that seems to be endless. With lots of ceramic tiles, it is hard to decide which one to buy. Though both options are good, they are better at specific tasks. In this article, we will compare Tile Cutter vs Wet Saw. There are a lot of factors you should consider before making a choice.
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Our Verdict
For a quick project, the tile cutter is better. For amateurs and DIYers, the tile cutter is better and safer. For professionals, Wet saw is a more suitable choice. Analyze the current and future scope, weigh the pros and cons, and make your decision.
Tile hardness- Wet saw is the clear winner here. It has a diamond blade which helps in cutting harder materials. A tile cutter is for softer tiles only.
Floor plan- Wet saw is better for complex floor plans. The precision of the tile cutter is lesser than Wet saws.
Space limitations- Tile cutter is compact and portable. It is also lesser in weight. Wet saws are bulky. They need more space for storage. Wet saws are not portable.
Tool budget- Tile cutter is inexpensive compared to Wet saw.
The skill needed- Wet saws need certain skills and experience. Tile cutters are suitable for amateurs.
Size of the project- Wet saws are more suitable for larger projects. Tile cutter should be used in small projects only.
Tiles come in various varieties. Clay, Ceramic, and Porcelain tiles are the most common ones. They vary in composition, texture, and uses.
Ceramic Tile
These are made of water, sand, and clays. Ceramic tiles have high strength. It can bear high temperatures. Their uses include floor tiles, cookware, and tableware. You can easily clean and maintain them. The only con is that they are brittle and weak in shear and tension.
Porcelain Tile
These have a very low water absorption level. You can use them in wet and dry conditions. They have very high bending strength. The clay used in these has a high density. Their absorption rate is less than 0.5%. Usually used in floors and walls of the kitchen and bathroom. The disadvantage is that they are bulky and expensive.
Clay Tiles
These are 100% clay and are mostly used for roofing. These types of tiles are available as glazed as well as unglazed.
Cork, concrete, glass tiles are some other common types. The user doesn’t depend on the type of tile. There is no very strict rule for this. However, a certain tile can be better for an environment.
2. The ‘Floor Plan’
The Floor Plan refers to the area where you lay the tile. The floor plan for every project is unique. The challenges of every project are also unique. The number of tiles needed, their size, and cut depend on it. A systematic floor plan is the first step towards a good project. A basic layout and schematic are developed. It also influences the tile decision. You need to measure the boundaries, width, height, and diagonals of the floor. Then measure a sample tile. This gives the number of tiles needed for the project. Abnormal and unique boundaries also exist. You need extra tiles and cuts for the situation.
3. Cutting Tile
The chances are high that it won’t work with boundaries, which are a perfect multiple of your tile sample. Cutting is an important part of most projects. The two best available options are wet saw and a tile cutter. Wet saw takes lesser time than a tile cutter but needs more skill and is less convenient. Tile cutters need more time, but need lesser skill and are more convenient. You can make your choice by considering factors like Project size, Budget, skill, tile composition, etc. Now we will discuss the two options in detail.
Tile Cutter vs Wet Saw: Overview
Tile Cutters
Tile cutters are a must-have in a toolbox. It is a manual machine and uses a two-step process. The method is called – Scoring and snapping. With the look of a car jack, it has a bar running from top to bottom. You need to place the tiles inside the cutter and then cut them. The breaks usually occur along the lines. Tile cutters give precise and clean cuts.
Breaking tiles is not a child’s play. It is not as easy as one might think it to be. The tile cutter doesn’t score deep enough every time. They take a longer time than wet saws. Sometimes the tiles are too hard. It works really well on softer tiles than in harder tiles. You can’t use them on glass tiles.
These are suitable for smaller projects with straight lines on soft tiles. Tile cutters are cheaper in cost and are portable. You don’t need the skills to use these cutters. Being manual in nature, they don’t need electricity. They are more convenient in use than wet saws. However, they don’t work well for curved cuts.
The process takes a long time. You need some tries before getting one right.
Wet Saw
Wet saws are most suitable for large projects which involve lots of cutting. The wet saws work on electric power, which is much better compared to manual tile cutters. It resembles the table saw a bit. It has a rotating diamond blade, which helps in cutting the tile straight. To prevent friction and from the tile, water is sprayed from around. You can connect it to a proper water source. Some saws come with space for water storage.
Wet saws can cut perfectly straight tiles. With a steady hand, you can make perfect cuts with help from the guide. Cutting tiles into shapes needs some skills. You can easily carve curves with wet saws. Angular blade design makes miter cuts easy. Wet saws work smoothly on harder tiles, unlike the tile cutters. You can cut anything with the diamond blade. Cutting glass tiles is not a problem anymore for you.
Wet saws enable you to cut faster in a convenient matter. The precision of the cuts is very high. This makes it a perfect fit for complex floor plans. Some drawbacks include huge size and the skill needed. With bulky units, you need proper storage and maintenance. A lot of skill and practice is needed for straight cuts. Understanding the safety procedures before operating it is a must. Due to water sprayed and dust created, outdoor use is preferable.
Things We Like
Cutting tiles into intricate shapes is possible.
You can carve curved tiles with a wet saw.
It includes a guide for help to cut straight cuts.
It can cut very hard materials, including glass tiles.
Suitable for large projects
The operation is fast
Things We Don't Like
The wet saw apparatus is bulky. The units are very heavy.
It is not portable.
The wet saw needs time to learn and operate it.
The risk to safety is more in a wet saw. You need to be careful while operating it.
Wet saws are more expensive than tile cutters.
It produces lots of dust. Outdoor use is more suitable.
Conclusion
Now you saw the comparison between Tile Cutter vs Wet Saw. This makes it easier for you to choose the tool which suits the work better. It helps you cut circular tiles like a professional. The composition of tile should be the main deciding factor. Other factors include space, budget, and skills.
These are suitable for smaller projects with straight lines on soft tiles. Tile cutters are cheaper in cost and are portable. You don’t need the skills to use these cutters. Being manual in nature, they don’t need electricity. They are more convenient in use than wet saws.
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