The beauty of porcelain deck pavers lies in their versatility and durability. Whether you’re using them to create a beautiful patio, a rooftop lounge or a functional pool deck, you can choose a shape, size and style that suits your unique needs. 

However, while porcelain pavers come in a range of sizes, you may need to cut some of your deck pavers to ensure a perfect fit. Due to their durability, some people may find cutting porcelain challenging, but these tools and strategies can help you ensure an accurate and seamless installation.

Wet-Cutting vs. Dry-Cutting

When cutting outdoor porcelain pavers, there are two main methods to consider: wet-cutting and dry-cutting. Wet-cutting is the preferred method for most contractors due to its precision and accuracy. 

This method uses a wet-cut table saw equipped with a continuous cutting blade and a water hose. The blade is submerged in a pool of water, which helps to cool it down and prevent it from overheating. This method allows you to work continuously without the risk of the blade overheating.

Alternatively, you can opt for dry-cutting. This method involves using a handheld grinder or manual cutter, such as a jigsaw or a tile snip. 

When dry-cutting, you’ll need to take a break from cutting your pavers to allow your equipment to cool down. If you fail to cool down your tool completely, you risk damaging the blade or the porcelain deck tiles. 

Wet-Cut Table Saw

The most common method of cutting outdoor porcelain pavers is to use a wet-cut table saw. This type of saw is specifically designed to cut through dense materials like porcelain. It uses a continuous cutting blade, which produces a clean, precise cut with minimal chipping or breakage.

Continuous Diamond Cutting Blade

When cutting outdoor porcelain pavers to a 45- or 90-degree angle, precision is paramount and can be demanding. An angle grinder with a continuous diamond cutting blade will help ease the stress and reduce your risk of paver damage thanks to its solid continuous edge. Suitable for wet-cutting methods, continuous diamond blades come in a range of sizes that will suit almost any porcelain paver size or thickness.

Hand Grinder

Another option for cutting outdoor porcelain pavers is to use a hand grinder. This tool features a diamond-tipped blade that can cut through the material with ease and precision. 

Hand grinders are ideal for making intricate cuts, such as curved edges, as they provide very precise control. For this reason, many contractors combine a wet-cut table saw for straight edges with a hand grinder for curved corners.

Other Porcelain Deck Pavers Power Tools

• Manual Cutter: A manual cutter is the most budget-friendly option for cutting porcelain deck tiles. While it may take more time to master this tool, it will still allow you to get the job done efficiently with a little practice. When opting for a manual cutter, make sure your porcelain deck pavers are less than 1 centimeter thick for best results.
• Oscillating Tool: If you’re looking for a precise and versatile cutting tool, you may want to consider using an oscillating tool. A more affordable alternative to a tile nipper, this type of tool is perfect for trimming small pieces of porcelain, as it can easily maneuver around tight corners and curves. It can also be used to make holes or curve cuts in the porcelain deck paver’s center.
• Slim System Cutter: For large-scale projects or large-format porcelain pavers, you may want to consider using a slim system cutter. This type of cutting system is designed to handle larger pieces of porcelain, and it consists of suction cups, breaking pliers, a scoring wheel roller guide and aluminum guides.
• Waterjet Cutter: For the most precise cuts, you may want to consider using a waterjet cutter. This type of cutter uses a high-pressure stream of water to cut through the porcelain with precision. This method is often used in commercial applications, as it produces the most precise and accurate cuts with the greatest efficiency. However, while home waterjets are available, they typically require more money and skill than alternative cutting tools.

No matter what type of cutting tool you decide to use, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to ensure that the cuts are safe and accurate. With the right tools and a bit of practice, you’ll be able to cut outdoor porcelain pavers with ease and ensure a perfect fit.

Despite the need for occasional cuts, porcelain deck tiles are one of the most popular hardscaping options on the market thanks to their stunning appearance, superior durability, quick installation time, reasonable cost and low maintenance levels. Not to mention, there are hundreds of different styles and colors to choose from — some of which replicate the appearance of natural stone and hardwood. If you’d like to learn more about Tile Tech’s full range of products and services, including outdoor porcelain deck tiles, give us a call at 888-380-5575 or fill out our online contact form. We’re always happy to provide you with a free product sample, catalog, or quote for your next project.