Tiling & Glazing

Whether it be your bathroom, kitchen, walls or floors that require tiling, from top to bottom we have you covered with a wide range of essential tiling and glazing tools. These include tile cutters, nippers and spacers as well as contour gauges and adhesive spreaders from our quality exclusive brands Kennedy®, Senator® and leading national brand Vitrex®. You can be assured that we stock all the must haves for cutting and fitting tiles and windowpanes.

What are tiling and glazing tools?

Tiling and glazing tools are designed specifically for use when preparing areas for laying, placing, spacing, and cutting tiles as well as glass. By utilising these specifically tailored tools, you can achieve the highest quality, professional results in a domestic or industrial setting.

Why use tiling and glazing tools?

To ensure safety and precision when cutting tiles and glass, it's crucial to buy specialist tools for the job. The tungsten carbide blades of most cutters and nippers are designed for safe cutting of fragile materials such as ceramics and glass, whilst specialist measuring tools like contour gauges make easy work of measuring around awkward shapes. To get the job done right first time, it's always best to use the correct tooling for your desired application.

When to use tiling and glazing tools?

Tiling and glazing tools should be used by anyone when they are undertaking these tasks. Whether it be a DIY enthusiast or a professional, tiling and glazing tools should be used when tiling and glazing.

Tiling and glazing tool types

• Tile cutters   -   a staple when working with tiles, cutters allow you to manipulate and change the shape and size of tiles to suit your requirements. Many tile cutters can also be used to cut other materials such as glass and various ceramics for versatile use. Tile cutters are also sometimes referred to as tile scorers, even if the way the tool cuts is slightly different. Tile scorers are a tool which allows you to score a line into the tile and then break it into your desired size by applying pressure.

• Contour gauges   -   also referred to as 'profile' gauges, contour gauges are comprised of multiple pins which run perpendicular to the horizontal frame. The pins are designed to be pushed into the desired object you wish to trace, making a clear outline from the indentation made by the pins on the gauge.

• Tile spacers   -   generally manufactured from plastic and shaped like a cross, tile spacers are a simple yet effective way of keeping tiles evenly spaced out for a professional, polished finish. Spacers also aid in reducing stress and allow for natural movement of tiles. Whilst specific spacing of tiles may vary depending on the type of tile and application, as a general guide wall spacers should be at least 2mm and floor spacers at least 3mm in size.

• Grout and adhesive spreaders   -   also known as 'floaters', these tools allow you to easily spread an even layer of grout or tile adhesive for excellent adhesion and long lasting results.

• Grout removers   -   these tools make quick work of scraping away any old grout to ensure smooth results before applying new grout.

• Tile nippers   -   closely resembling pliers with a pivot point, tile nippers are used for chipping off smaller sections of tiles. Nippers come in handy particularly when cutting curved lines such as around pipes, appliances, or switches.

Considerations when choosing a tiling and glazing tool

• Application - Whilst some products are suited for use with ceramic, porcelain, and extruded tiles as well as glass, it is always best to check before purchasing to ensure you have the correct tool for the job. The size of the tiles and the area of applications should also be considered, as some tools are better suited to the rigours of industrial tiling and glazing, where less robust options can be used for smaller DIY tasks.

• Specification - Tile cutters and nipper specifically carry differing cutting capacities which are always worth considering before buying, as you want to make sure your cutter suits the thickness of your tiles or glass.

Tiling and grazing jargon buster

We want to make it as easy for you as possible to select the correct product for your needs, that's why we've outlined some key terms to help you to shop our range of tiling and glazing products.

When tiling, what is an accelerator and when would I use it?

An accelerator is a substance - usually lithium carbonate based - which when added to grout, speeds up the setting time. Accelerators are often used by professionals looking to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

FAQs

What tools do you need for tiling?

For both the DIYer and the professional, there are some core products that are crucial for laying tiles. These include tile spacers, grout or tile adhesive as well as a mixing bucket and mixer to prepare the grout, tile cutters and nippers as well as a strong and durable grout spreader or trowel. Whilst your tiling can be enhanced by further tools, these are the core requirements.

When tiling where do you start?

It's always advisable to start at the line which crosses the centre of the room, that way it's easier to get the tiles symmetrical. From here, you place the tiles in rows using spacers for consistency. The first tile is the most important to lay. Ensuring this is laid accurately and with precision will lend itself to providing the cleanest finish.