How to Trim Floor Tiles to Fit
A basic jigsaw is all you need — straight cuts, notches, holes around pipes and pillars. This guide covers the five most common scenarios.
Watch how to cut garage floor tiles
See the full cutting process — from measuring to finished edge.
Before You Start
A basic jigsaw and a few minutes is all you need
What you'll need
Safety & setup
- Set up outside the garage if possible (less mess)
- Wear safety glasses for every cut
- Cut on the waste side of your line
Straight Wall Cuts
15-30 min
The most common cut — almost every garage needs tiles trimmed along the walls. A jigsaw makes quick work of it.
- Place a tile on top of the last full tile, push a second against the wall, and trace the edge — no measuring needed
- Cut with the jigsaw along your marked line, tile face-up on a supported surface
- Leave a 5–10mm expansion gap from all walls — the wall hides this gap naturally
- Lay the full field of tiles first, then come back and cut wall tiles one at a time
Pro tip
Lay the full floor first, then come back and cut wall tiles one at a time. Small layout shifts over many rows change the gap at the wall, so cutting in advance wastes tiles.
Walls That Step In & Out
20-40 min
Brick piers, meter boxes, alcoves, and frame changes can cause walls to step in and out. Each tile along an irregular wall gets its own unique L-shaped or notched cut.
- Measure every tile individually — walls that look straight rarely are
- A contour gauge (cheap from any hardware store) copies irregular wall shapes instantly
- For L-shaped notches around alcoves, cut the long edge first, then the short return
- Number each tile with masking tape so you don’t mix up which goes where
Pro tip
A contour gauge copies the exact wall profile instantly. Press it against the wall, transfer to the tile, cut. It pays for itself on the first wall.
Around Pipes
5-10 min
Hot water pipes, drain pipes, and gas lines are common in garages. The approach depends on where the pipe falls on the tile.
- Use a hole saw on a drill for clean round holes, or jigsaw a rough circle
- If the pipe is near the middle, split the tile in half — install each half from opposite sides
- Cut the hole slightly larger than the pipe to allow for expansion
- Pipe collars hide imperfect cuts beautifully — available at any hardware store
Pro tip
Don’t try to flex a tile over a pipe. If the pipe is near the middle, split the tile in half through the pipe centre. Two clean semicircles are far easier than one strained hole.
Pillars & Columns
10-20 min
Structural columns sit in the middle of your floor. Before you start laying, check whether adjusting your starting position could place the pillar at a tile junction instead of the centre of one tile.
- Plan your layout so the pillar falls at a tile junction — four small corner cuts beat one big hole
- Make a cardboard template of the pillar shape before cutting any tiles
- Mark the shape, drill a starter hole in the waste area, and jigsaw around the outline
- Leave 5mm expansion gap around all pillars — column covers can hide the gap for a polished finish
Pro tip
If the pillar lands at the junction of four tiles, four small corner notches are far easier and neater than one large cut-out in a single tile.
Garage Door Tracks
10-15 min
Sectional and roller door tracks have brackets at floor level that need careful notching. Map all the hardware before you start cutting.
- Take a photo of the track brackets before you start — useful reference while you cut
- Notch tiles around bracket plates with a jigsaw
- Check the door’s bottom seal still clears the tile surface
- Test-open and close the door several times after tiling to confirm full clearance
Pro tip
Do the door-track tiles last. By then you’ll be confident with the jigsaw, and you can focus on getting these visible tiles right.
Cutting Questions
A fine-tooth blade works across all tile types. Blades marked ‘for plastics’ or ‘fine finish’ are ideal. Avoid coarse blades — they chip the surface. Any standard household jigsaw blade will do the job.
Use medium jigsaw speed (setting 2–3 out of 5). Too much speed creates heat that melts the cut edge. If you see melted strings of plastic, slow down.
Use a fresh tile and try again — that’s why we recommend ordering 5–10% extra. You can unclick any installed tile and replace it in seconds. Mistakes are never permanent.
Keep your floor looking new
A quick sweep and occasional mop is all it takes. Our cleaning guide covers everything.
Need help with your project?
Talk to our team for expert advice on tile selection, design help, or a custom quote.