Deck tiles are an interesting and effective way to layout the patio that you’ve always wanted. Burrowing a bit from the explosion of consumer interest in tile flooring, deck tiles work in almost the exact, same way. However, like flooring tiles, deck tiles aren’t going to line up perfectly to every nook and cranny.
Not only can you cut deck tiles, but you will also have to, unless you get really lucky, with all of the interlocking pieces fitting consummately in every corner and crevice. There are also three types of material used to manufacture deck tiles and you can cut all three of them.
If you are really lucky or your deck design is wide open, like a traditional, floating deck, you won’t have to cut a thing. Unfortunately, not everything always works out that way and DIY enthusiasts who are installing their deck tiles will often do so under size constraints.
There are three materials that deck tiles are usually made out of, PVC plastic, rubber, and polypropylene plastic.
Cutting the Tiles
Regardless of which type you are cutting, you will need a few tools before you proceed.
- Tape measure
- Square
- Knife
- A Circular saw or a table saw
- Jigsaw
Like traditional flooring tiles, there’s not much room for error here, as a mistake will essentially ruin the tile, at least insofar as it can fit into a very tight space. Also, deck tiles are interlocking, so you will need a little room to lock the tiles together as you place them in tight spaces.
The tiles are designed to be very easy to cut and you can do so with nothing more than a sharp knife for some. However, as we mentioned, you don’t want to make any mistakes when you cut these tiles or they will end up in the garbage.
Before you start cutting, you can get an idea of how everything is going to come together by getting your measurements. The times when you have to cut should be whenever there is a corner of funny edge to move around, such as a point where the trim around a door meets the existing patio.
Cutting Rubber Tiles
Rubber tiles are first on the list because are the most irritating to deal with, mostly because of the material and how thick they are. Its also more difficult to mark rubber tiles with chalk, pencil, or any other kind of stationery.
This is where your knife will come in handy, as you will have to use it to cut lines to indicate your cutting marks. Make sure you always cut the tiles in the right direction. You don’t want to cut off your interlocking tile pieces in a moment of absentmindedness.
Use your square to mark a straight line down the tile. Since rubber is more flexible in varying temperatures (it will expand and contract) you will want to make sure that you are as perfect as possible cutting your lines.
Since you’re dealing with rubber, you should use a sharp utility knife to work your way through the material. However, if you want to go with a mechanized saw, a jigsaw or a circular saw will work best.
The trick is, don’t cut fast and, take frequent mini-breaks. As the blade cuts through the material, the friction will create heat and the heat will begin to melt the rubber, ruining the cut and causing the blade to stick.
Polypropylene Tiles
Polypropylene is a lot easier to cut through than the rubber tiles version. You only need a table saw or a circular saw for this but it’s a good idea to keep some glasses on and wear a mask because any saw that you use will kick up a lot of the plastic particles.
You don’t want polypropylene in your eyes and you certainly don’t want it in your lungs so take care to properly protect yourself. It’s also an easier material to mark and a standard sharpie with a good color that stands out against the color of the plastic will do just fine.
Simply measure out your cut and use your square to run a marker line down the length of the area that you are going to cut. Make sure that the cut is clean and quick. You don’t have to stop and go or use a slow rotation speed as you do with rubber tiles.
The heat may build up but you will have to cut clean through it before it has time to become a problem.
PVC Tiles
PVC tiles are very much like polypropylene plastic, in terms of being pretty easy to cut through and quickly as well. Unlike polypropylene, however, you can cut through PVC if you have a razor or a sufficiently sharp knife with you.
You shouldn’t make any large cuts with just a knife, but if you need to get detailed, with small cuts and angles for a tight fit, a knife will be just the thing.
You can also use a jigsaw as it will go through the PVC like butter and you can catch the angle that you need to make the perfect fit. Anything that’s too small or an angle that is the same, go back to your knife.
For large cuts or for just cutting off the length of the tile, a table saw or circular saw will work well. As with the Polypropylene, you will need to put on some safety gear because any kind of saw will pick up the PVC particles and sling them around pretty well.
All Things Considered
It shouldn’t be a problem cutting through any kind of deck tile material and you can even do some of it with a sharp knife. The polypropylene isn’t as open to knife use but you might be able to work something out in a pinch.
Deck tiles may be thicker than what you get with flooring tiles but they’re every bit as workable and, so long as you mark your angles the right way and use a good square to keep your lines straight, you can cut just about any design that you think you’ll need.
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