To learn the ins and outs of what is the right way to cut hexagon tiles for installation, one must first decide where the tile is going. The area being covered will greatly determine which method is best and easiest to help complete the installation. Square or rectangular areas will be the easiest and quickest to cover while those with curves or odd angles may take some more work.
Hexagonal tiles come in sheets that measure one square foot and are backed with a nylon mesh. Each individual tile is either 1” or 2” in width and is attached to the backing with a gap for grouting. This backing can be easily cut with scissors or shears to help get the shape desired to fill certain areas.
For other areas and sections where the entire sheet will not fit as a whole, a wet saw or tile saw will be needed. This saw will allow for angles and curves to be cut into the tile sheets with a cleaner edge than scoring and breaking as is done with square ceramic tiles. Be sure when using this saw that all safety measures are in place and gloves along with safety goggles are worn.
By dry fitting the tile sheets in place first, all of the cuts can be made well in advance of the adhesive being put down. Trim as close as possible to the desired shape with the shears and then trim any excess off the other tile pieces with the wet saw. This helps to cut down on the actual amount of cutting needed and ensures a clean edge where needed.
When cutting a single tile to fit in those awkward areas, be sure that the guard is in place and the guide is used. These help to ensure the safety of the operator and those in the general work area. These are two of the answers to the question, “What is the proper way to cut hexagon tile for installation?”
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