How to Cut Garage Tiles: The Quick Guide to Fitting Around Posts & Corners
Installing interlocking garage floor tiles is usually the easiest DIY project you can do. You simply snap them together, tap them down, and watch your garage transform.
But eventually, you will hit an obstacle. Whether it’s a workbench leg, a plumbing pipe, or a car hoist post, knowing how to cut garage tiles correctly is the difference between a professional showroom finish and a messy DIY job.
In this guide, we’ll show you the exact tools and techniques we use at Flexspec to get tight, seamless cuts around any shape—without wasting tiles.
Best Tools for Cutting Interlocking Garage Tiles
You don’t need expensive industrial equipment. For cutting polypropylene (PP) garage tiles, these standard tools work best:
- Jigsaw (Best Overall): Essential for curves, corners, and shapes. Use a fine-tooth blade (metal or plastic blade) to prevent the tile from vibrating or melting.
- Table Saw or Circular Saw: Best for long, straight cuts along walls.
- Oscillating Multi-Tool: Perfect for “plunge cuts” or notching out small squares.
- Utility Knife: Handy for trimming tiny plastic burrs after the cut.
- Marker: Crucial for marking your cut lines clearly.
Method: How to Cut Tiles Around Weird Shapes (The Template Trick)
For first timers don’t try to measure a complex round post with just a tape measure. You will likely get it wrong and waste a tile.
Instead, use the Cardboard Template Method.
Step 1: Create a “Dummy Tile”
Grab an empty cardboard box (your Flexspec tile box is perfect). Cut a piece of cardboard to the exact size of your tile (400mm x 400mm). This is your template.
Step 2: Trace the Obstacle
Place the cardboard template exactly where the tile needs to go.
- For Round Posts: Cut the cardboard into strips or make a slit to fit it around the post. Tape it back together to capture the exact shape of the hole.
- For Square Legs: Measure the distance from the last locked tile to the leg and mark it on the cardboard.
Step 3: Test the Fit
Slide your cardboard template into place. Does it fit perfectly? Does it align with the surrounding floor? If yes, you are ready to cut the real tile.
Step-by-Step: Making the Perfect Cut
- Trace and Secure
Lay your cardboard template on top of the tile and trace the shape. Clamp the tile to your workbench so it doesn’t vibrate. - Cut Slow and Steady
Speed: Set your jigsaw to medium speed.
Technique: If you cut too fast, the friction will melt the plastic, welding the cut back together behind the blade. Go slow and let the blade do the work.
- Clean the Edges
After cutting, you may see rough plastic edges (burrs). A quick rub with sandpaper or a hand file will give you a smooth, factory-style edge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I cut garage tiles with a Stanley knife? For rigid polypropylene tiles (like Flexspec), no. The material is too strong. You need a power saw (Jigsaw or Circular Saw). For softer PVC tiles like our industrial range of garage tiles, a heavy-duty utility knife will work.
What blade should I use to cut plastic garage tiles? Use a fine-tooth blade (often labeled for “Metal” or “Laminate”). Coarse wood blades have large teeth that will snag the tile and cause it to bounce.
Do I need to glue the tiles down around the edges? No. Flexspec tiles are designed to float. Gluing them down can actually cause issues with expansion. The weight of the floor and the interlocks keep everything in place.
Ready to transform your garage?
Now that you know how to handle the tricky cuts, the rest is easy. Shop Our Garage Tile Range and get started on your dream garage today.
Want more pro tips? Watch the video below to master the perfect cut:
Looking to extend my garage and require additional tiles that I purchased approx 5yrs ago. Are they still the same profile and match my existing tiles. I need a cost for approx another 36 square metres please.
Hi Greg, yes if your original tiles were purchased directly from us 5 years ago, you can rest easy, all our tiles are future proofed so we continue to use the same mould incase customers want to add more.