Why the Right Blade Matters
Not all tile is the same — and neither are the blades designed to cut it. Using the wrong diamond blade for your material can cause chipping, cracking, or blade wear that costs you time and money. This guide helps you match the right blade to the right tile so every cut is clean and precise.
Cutting Porcelain Tile
Porcelain is one of the hardest and most dense tile materials available, which makes it the most demanding to cut. It requires a hard-bond diamond blade with a high diamond concentration to maintain cutting speed as the blade wears. A blade that is too soft will wear out quickly on porcelain.
Best choice for porcelain: A turbo mesh blade delivers the aggressive cutting action and heat dissipation needed for dense porcelain. The segmented turbo rim creates airflow to keep the blade cool during continuous cuts.
- Lackmond Beast 10" Turbo Mesh Blade – BPM10 — ideal for large-format porcelain on a 10" tile saw
- Lackmond Beast 7" Turbo Mesh Blade – BPM7 — great for 7" angle grinders and portable saws cutting porcelain floor tile
- Lackmond Beast 6" Turbo Mesh Blade – BPM6 — perfect for smaller 6" wet saws on standard porcelain
Cutting Glass Tile
Glass tile is unforgiving. It chips and cracks easily if you use the wrong blade or apply too much pressure. You need a continuous rim diamond blade specifically designed for glass — these blades have no segments or gaps in the rim, which means a smoother, gentler cutting action that reduces vibration and chipping.
Best choice for glass: A dedicated glass blade with a solid, uninterrupted rim edge.
- Lackmond Beast 7" Glass Blade – BG7 — our top pick for glass mosaic and subway tile
- Lackmond Beast 8" Glass Blade – BG8 — handles larger glass tile panels and glass brick
- Lackmond Beast 10" Glass Blade – BG10 — for professional use on 10" saws cutting large glass slabs
Always use water when cutting glass tile. Dry cutting will almost certainly chip or shatter the tile.
Cutting Ceramic Tile
Ceramic is softer than porcelain and more forgiving to cut. Most standard diamond blades handle ceramic well, but a continuous rim or turbo rim blade will give you the cleanest edge with the least chipping — especially important on glazed ceramic where the surface coating can flake.
Best choice for ceramic: Either a glass blade (for maximum smoothness) or a turbo mesh blade (for speed on unglazed ceramic). Our BP-series blades are well-suited for glazed ceramic tile.
- Lackmond Beast 8" Glass Blade – BP8 — smooth finish on glazed ceramic
- Lackmond Beast 7" Glass Blade – BP7 — versatile performer on ceramic wall and floor tile
Quick Reference: Blade by Material
| Tile Material | Recommended Blade Type | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain | Turbo Mesh (hard bond) | Handles density, stays cool |
| Glass | Continuous Rim (glass-specific) | No segments = no chipping |
| Glazed Ceramic | Continuous Rim | Smooth cut on coated surface |
| Unglazed Ceramic | Turbo Mesh or Continuous Rim | Either works; turbo is faster |
Pro Tips for Cleaner Cuts
- Always use water when wet cutting — it cools the blade and flushes debris, extending blade life significantly.
- Let the blade do the work. Forcing the tile into the blade creates heat and chipping. Use steady, light pressure.
- Score before you cut on very hard porcelain. A single shallow pass before the full cut reduces chipping on the face.
- Use a new or sharp blade for glass. A worn blade causes far more chipping than a fresh one.
Shop All Blades
Browse our full selection of diamond saw blades to find the right fit for your tile project. If you have questions about which blade is right for your specific tile or saw, reach out — we're happy to help.