What should you use to cut 2–3 cm thick outdoor terrace tiles?

How to Cut 20–30 mm (2–3 cm) Outdoor Terrace Tiles?

Outdoor terrace tiles with a thickness of 20–30 mm (2–3 cm) have become the standard for exterior applications such as ventilated terraces, balconies, stairs, entrance zones, and pedestrian areas.

At the same time, they are among the most difficult materials to cut precisely — both in terms of technical execution and edge finish quality.

In this article, we directly answer the questions most frequently asked by installers, distributors, and installation companies:

• What should you use to cut 2 cm and 3 cm terrace tiles?

• Which diamond blade is designed for this purpose?

• Why do standard tile blades fail?

• How can you reduce chipping and material waste?

Why Are 20–30 mm Terrace Tiles So Difficult to Process?

Terrace slabs (porcelain and concrete) differ significantly from standard wall and floor tiles:

• very large thickness (20–30 mm),

• high material density and hardness,

• often a layered structure: technical core + decorative surface,

• processing in outdoor conditions (dust, lack of water, unstable surfaces).

In practice, this leads to:

• standard blades overheating quickly,

• diamond segments glazing over,

• edges becoming chipped or burnt,

• an increase in complaints and material losses.

How to Cut 20–30 mm Terrace Tiles?

Commonly Used Solutions and Their Limitations

❌ Standard porcelain tile blade (8–10 mm segment)

• segment height too low for deep cuts,

• insufficient heat dissipation,

• rapid wear on 20–30 mm slabs,

• high risk of edge chipping.

❌ Concrete or stone blade

• overly aggressive diamond grit,

• poor edge quality on decorative materials,

• risk of damaging the surface layer.

❌ “Step-by-step” cutting attempts

• multiple passes without geometric control,

• uneven cutting lines,

• operator fatigue,

• lack of repeatable results.

Which Diamond Blade Is Suitable for Terrace Tiles?

For tiles with a thickness of 2–3 cm, blade design matters more than a generic “for porcelain” label.

A professional blade intended for terrace tiles should feature:

• a high diamond segment — minimum 12–15 mm,

• a properly selected bond resistant to overheating,

• a rigid, stable core that does not wobble during deep cuts,

• an effective cooling system (slots, segment geometry).

Only such a construction allows for:

• stable tool guidance,

• clean edges across the full slab thickness,

• longer blade lifespan,

• reduced risk of material damage.

Dry Cutting or Wet Cutting — Which Is Better for Terrace Tiles?

Dry Cutting

Advantages:

• mobility on site,

• no need for water access,

• quick trimming during installation.

Requires:

• a blade resistant to high temperatures,

• controlled cutting speed,

• technical breaks.

Wet Cutting

Advantages:

• better segment cooling,

• longer blade life,

• cleaner and more consistent edges.

Requires:

• a cutting table or tile saw,

• water supply,

• a stable workstation.

In practice, most teams combine both methods:
dry cutting on site, and wet cutting in the workshop for elements requiring high aesthetic quality.

How to Avoid Chipping When Cutting Thick Slabs?

Most Common Installation Mistakes:

• feeding the blade too fast,

• lack of slab stabilization,

• working with a worn or overheated blade,

• attempting full-depth cuts in a single pass.

Best Practices:

• guide the tool smoothly, without forcing it,

• let the blade work under its own weight,

• for 30 mm thickness, consider cutting in two passes,

• regularly refresh the segment on abrasive material.

Why Does Manufacturer Experience Matter?

As a diamond tool manufacturer, Distar has been working for years with:

• terrace and paving crews,

• building material distributors,

• B2B installation companies.

Tool solutions are developed based on real on-site working conditions — not solely on laboratory testing.

This helps reduce material losses, improve result consistency, and lower the number of post-installation complaints.

Summary — What Is the Best Way to Cut 20–30 mm Terrace Tiles?

If you work with terrace tiles:

• do not use standard porcelain blades,

• choose blades designed for large thickness,

• evaluate segment construction, not just price,

• adapt the cutting method to your working conditions.

A properly selected diamond blade means fewer problems on site, better final results, and higher work efficiency.

FAQ