How to make a Miter Cut

The best tile trim for your shower niche

By Clay Imports

When it comes to bathrooms and shower installations, there’s a lot of awesome ideas you can explore to add a stunning detail and make a more dynamic space. One of those ideas is a shower niche. This recessed section of a shower wall is typically tiled and designed to hold your shower essentials such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, and other bathing accessories. As you know, where there is a tile work, there's tile trim.

Miter cuts for tile trim not only enhance the aesthetics of your shower niche but also ensure a seamless transition and a polished finish. This tile trim can be a game-changer for all your DIY projects and will add a modern design for all your tile works. In this article, we will guide you step-by-step through the process of doing a miter cut for a shower niche to achieve an impressive result.

• What’s a Miter cut?
• How do I know if a Miter cut is a good option?
• How to make a Miter cut
• Conclusion

What’s a Miter cut?

Miter cut is a technique used to cut tiles at an angle (usually 45 degrees) to create precise corner joints or angled edges.The Miter cut will give you joints with no visible gaps or uneven edges creating a professional and polished look.

Common alternatives to miter cut tiles are bullnose and quarter rounds. These options offer a more traditional installation aesthetic but are not as versatile as miter cutting on site. Miter cutting is a more technical trim option that allows more flexibility. Miter cutting pieces from your batch of field tiles provides a more cohesive visual, no additional lead times and less color variation.

 Install by BCR Flooring

How do I know if a Miter cut is a good option?

Miter cuts are commonly used when aiming for a clean, seamless, and professional look in tile installations, resulting in a cohesive and harmonious design. Because of this, the Miter cut is a very versatile tile trim; doesn't matter If you want to keep a discrete but modern design or if your shower niche involves complex tile layouts, intricate patterns, or irregular shapes, the Miter cut is the often best choice. Check out the list of examples where a miter cut is ideal:

• Wall transition (shower, backsplash, etc.)
• Shower niche
• Fireplace
• Anywhere the tile needs trim, or turns a corner! 

Also, keep in mind that a Miter cut is better done with a wet saw. Because this kind of trim requires precision, this kind of tool is a must in order to maintain consistency between all your cut tile edges. If this is the first time you’ll be working in a DIY project using this power tool, we suggest you take a look at this article where Anna goes deeper on how to work with a wet saw for tile cutting.

In this example, you have a miter cut for both the shower transition and the shower niche - a completely custom, clean trim look
Photo Randy Hill | Install BCR Flooring 

How to make a Miter cut

Mark your tiles: Mark the edges of tiles that need to be cut and make sure those edges are not chipped or damaged. 

Firmly hold the tile: Place the tile securely on the saw's cutting surface, ensuring a stable grip to maintain control during the cutting process. Safety goggles and gloves are recommended for protection.

Install by BCR Flooring

Make the cut: Set your wet saw blade to a 45-degree angle for that perfect miter cut. Make sure to adjust the angle on your saw just right so you can achieve those accurate cuts you’re aiming for! As you guide the tile through the saw, take your time to follow the marked line. If you're looking to avoid any chipping of the glaze, a tip is to cut your tile facing down. And when you're cutting through the back, try not to go deeper than the glazing—stopping about 1/32 of an inch before you reach it should work. Remember, there’s no rush; taking your time will help keep everything precise. Just repeat this step for each tile, and you’ll be on your way to great results.

Sand the edges: After making the miter cut, you may notice rough edges or imperfections. Use sandpaper or a tile file to gently smooth and refine the cut edges, ensuring a clean and professional finish.

Fit the pieces together: Once all the cuts are done, fit the tiles together to create your mitered edge. Pay close attention to the alignment and orientation of the cut edges to ensure a seamless fit. If you need more information regarding the tile installation, you can take a check out our guide on how to install glazed tiles.

Install by BCR Flooring

Take a look at this clever use of the miter cut as a custom wall transition! While we often see miter cuts on corners, such as in shower niches, they can also be used to create custom trim where tile meets any wall, like in a shower or a backsplash.

The key for a successful cut is to find the perfect pieces, especially if you going to work with handmade tiles like ours. Handmade tiles exhibit natural variations, which are inherent traits of natural, handmade products. These variations are not defects but rather a natural part of the product. 

Conclusion

When considering whether to utilize miter cuts, it's important to evaluate your design, preferences and the practical considerations of time and budget. With careful consideration and attention to detail, you can create a shower niche that blends functionality and aesthetics seamlessly, turning it into a standout feature of your bathroom design. And remember, if you have any questions or require more information, don't hesitate to reach out to us at contact@clayimports.com.