Cutting Kitchen Backsplash Tile

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Irving LaRue

Irving LaRue

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Location
Warrenton, Virginia
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Electrician Apprentice
A customer has backsplash tile in his kitchen and would like to have an overhead sink light switch and a garbage disposal switch installed next to the sink. I would need to cut out a hole in the tile to fit a 2 gang box.

What do you recommend to cut holes in tile that’s mounted on a wall? I’ve seen tons online regarding cutting holes in tile before you mount it, but not much for after.

Also, what kind of box would you use? I normally use blue old work boxes when I’m cutting into drywall. I’m not sure what to use in this situation because of the added thickness of the tile. The wall is an exterior wall with brick if that makes a difference.
 
Back in the day we would drill a series of small holes around the cut out of the box and carefully chip out the tile. Modern tools make the process somewhat easier. You could use a rotary cutter like a Milwaukee compact cut off tool with a diamond wheel. An orbiting multi-tool might work too.
 
BarryO said:
Multi-tool with diamond blade? Practice on some scrap tile first.
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That's what I was thinking but I've never tried it. The surface of tile is very hard so I could see the blade bouncing all over the place. I agree, whatever method you employ try it on some scrap first.
 
BarryO said:
Multi-tool with diamond blade? Practice on some scrap tile first.
Click to expand...
I have a Milwaukee M12 multi tool, so I’ll look into some diamond, tile cutting blades. It’s pretty standard Home Depot tile they’ve got up so I can buy a practice piece that would be just like it.

What kind of box would you use for this install?
 
4 1/2" (4" if that is what you have) grinder with tile blade, water (just a little or none if you wear PPE for dust) and GREAT hand control! Customers do not like extra marks on their tile... Rubi blades are great, but if just one hole, buy the cheapest diamond blade to fit your grinder. There are differences in porcelain and other tile blades, so find out what tile is the backsplash.

This guy's videos are good on tile:

 
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James L said:
4-inch grinder with diamond blade.
Dust control
Use a standard residential rework box
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That works great.

You can also finish up the corners with an oscillating tool so you don’t have to go beyond the corner with the grinder, or risk cracking a tile trying to knock it out. Might not be necessary on a double box, but it’s handy for the horizontal cuts on a single.
 
Irving LaRue said:
I have a Milwaukee M12 multi tool, so I’ll look into some diamond, tile cutting blades. It’s pretty standard Home Depot tile they’ve got up so I can buy a practice piece that would be just like it.

What kind of box would you use for this install?
Click to expand...
Standard 2-gang cut-in box. If the thickness is a little too much for the clamp ears, you can take the ears off and flip them around. That will give you a little more room. If that doesn't work you can replace the screws with longer ones. But the easiest is to cut by a stud and screw the box to it.
 
Irving LaRue said:
Also, what kind of box would you use? I normally use blue old work boxes when I’m cutting into drywall. I’m not sure what to use in this situation because of the added thickness of the tile. The wall is an exterior wall with brick if that makes a difference.
Click to expand...
I always try to use side screw "smart boxes" instead of old work boxe whenever possible. You can probably find the studs by seeing where the cabinets are screwed in or stud find the drywall above the uppers, or stud find the opposite side of the wall if possible. Another trick is if its an exterior wall, use appropriate length screw thru the back of the box into the sheathing.

 
A round tile bit is better since a blade cant make tight corners, and corners with a small radius are stronger too...
Well its hard to get good corners with a blade if you are cutting in.....
 
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