Guidelines on the safe cutting of tiles.

On-site cutting operations

1) Linear or diagonal cuts

For linear or diagonal cuts (with any type of angle) it may be sufficient to use manual tile cutters:

with adaptable discs having the right diameter and/or material for the type of tiles to be cut (glazed porcelain and/or single-fired).

For precise cuts of white body tiles it’s possible to use common nippers for glazed and/or porcelain tiles:

If dry manual tile cutters don’t achieve an optimal cut, we recommend the use of electric cutters with water cooling:

slowing the speed of forward movement when near the tile’s edge.

2) Circular holes

The tools for making circular holes depend on the type of tile (white body single-fired and/or porcelain) and whether the hole is made before or after installation.

To make circular holes in glazed tiles before laying, it’s best to use a hole-cutter bit on a common electric drill without percussion (maximum recommended speed of 800 rpm), working from the unglazed back of the tile.

To make circular holes in glazed tiles after laying, use a wall or concrete hole-cutter bit on a common electric drill without percussion, first using a screwdriver to make a starting hole in the glaze.

To make circular holes in porcelain tiles before laying, use water-cooled diamond hole-cutter bits on a common electric drill without percussion (maximum recommended speed of 900 rpm for thicknesses up to 95 mm, 450 rpm for larger thicknesses), working on the front surface of the tile, possibly equipped with a guide.

To make circular holes in porcelain tiles after laying, use water-cooled diamond hole-cutter bits on a common electric drill without percussion, equipped with a suction cup to make vertical holes in a set point, making sure the cutter doesn’t shift.

3) Quadrangular holes

Regardless of the type of tile, start by drilling circular holes near the corners of the hole following the instructions in point 1.2, and then connect them with linear cuts using dry angle grinders with a disc that’s appropriate for the tile type:

This will relax the stress at the corners of the cut tile.

4) Cutting tiles around objects

To shape floor or wall tiles positioned near elements such as walls, pillars, and so on, all the instructions detailed above for cuts and holes must be applied.

If a right-angle cut is needed along the perimeter of the room and around pillars, columns, and floor elevations, make sure the cut is made in this way:

to avoid cracks in the tiles after installation, as this is where stress points and cracks develop:

Identification of hazards

The product is inert, and therefore in normal conditions of use does not pose any danger to health or the environment.
During cutting, crystalline silica (SiO2) dust can be released into the air, which is why it’s best to perform these operations using wet methods or using dry manual tile cutters in a ventilated space.
Any exposure to dust in the case of dry cutting with a grinder must be controlled and minimized using suction and/or forced ventilation systems.

Safety precautions:

Respiratory protection: Use appropriate respiratory protection.

Eye protection: Use protective eyewear against flying particles and/or tile chips.

Hand protection: We recommend the use of gloves for mechanical protection to avoid accidental cuts caused by any broken pieces.

Atlas Concorde tiles are not flammable or combustible. In the event of a fire in the immediate vicinity there is no limitation on the method used to extinguish it.