How to Cut Porcelain Bullnose

Tile installers set bullnose tiles wherever the field of tile ends, to provide a finished edge. Bullnose edging also sits at the front of a countertop or as trim pieces that sit atop tiles that only rise partially up the wall. Bullnose tiles are flat on the back, rounded on the front and have a finish that matches or coordinates with the rest of the tile. Some porcelain bullnose trim requires cutting to fit it into the space.


Position the bullnose trim piece in place next to the already laid bullnose trim.


Measure the section where the bullnose will lie with a tape measure. Subtract 1/4 inch from the measurement to allow room for a tile spacer and to make a grout line after you set the tile. Mark a line on the bullnose tile that equals this measurement with a grease pencil to use as a cutting guideline. You are cutting the bullnose tile 1/4 inch shorter than the space where it will lie.


Cut along the grease pencil line with a tile saw. Repeat for each bullnose trim piece that needs cutting.


Cut the piece with a rotary tool and corresponding accessory if you don't have access to a tile saw and only have a few pieces of tile to cut, put the bullnose trim piece in a vise.


Tighten the vise to hold the bullnose securely in place. Make sure the waste portion of the bullnose hangs out of the vise and the grease pencil line is visible. Place the cutting section of the rotary tool along the line, depress the trigger and hold the tool firmly in place while you move the blade through the tile alone the line.