What is the easiest way to cut vinyl tile to fit around objects?

Mary Anne
by Mary Anne
I am replacing the 12 x 12 tile in a basement bath. Have really struggled with cutting the tile to fit around door molding, but succeeded...finally. Base board fits were easy. But now I am faced with placing the vinyl tile around the toilet. I know the best method is to take up the toilet, place the tile, and replace the toilet, but I do not have the time, strength or expertise. Does anyone have a method for creating a template? I think that is what I am going to have to do. Thanks!

  7 answers
  • 2dogal 2dogal on May 09, 2018

    To be done properly, remove the toilet, then tile around the hole. reset the toilet with a new wax ring. If the toilet has to be removed at a later date, doing it the way you want can tear up the tile.

  • William William on May 09, 2018

    Take some sheets of paper/newspaper and place them around the toilet to form a template. Tape the sheets together.

  • Mogie Mogie on May 09, 2018

    I used a hook knife. Found it better to error on the side of not cutting enough as you can always go back a trim the extra off.

  • William William on May 09, 2018

    FYI, It's easier to cut the door molding than trying to cut the tile. Lay one tile against the door molding. Then use a saw, oscillating tool to cut the molding. The tile will slip under it. For the future.

  • Wanda Wanda on May 09, 2018

    For the Left side of the door jam put the tile against the Right door jam face side down. Knotch out the shape of the moulding and when you turn it right side up it will fit the left jam perfectly. Do the opposit for the other side. Do the same for the toilet. Turn the tile face side down and and cut around the shape of the toilet and install on the opposit side. Just be sure to caulk around the toilet bowl and tile to seal.

  • Brenda Brandt Deason Brenda Brandt Deason on May 09, 2018

    I did this with adhesive tiles, and I used the paper backing from a previous tile to make a template. I would just trim the paper until it was a perfect fit, then tape the template to a tile and cut it out. The back of the toilet is pretty hard. I had knee pads on and put a hand towel over the toilet lid, to make it more comfortable for my face, as I had to have both hands back there, one on each side. I had done the front first, so I sort of knew what I was doing by then and could do it without looking. My toilet has a cabinet built around it (1936 idea) so removing it isn't an option and approaching it from the side wasn't an option either. You just have to get down there and do it! :)