Quick Answer

Cut concrete and clay roof tiles with a turbo rim diamond blade on an angle grinder — dry cutting with dust extraction is standard on roofs, though a damp blade cuts cleaner. Use a 115-125 mm turbo blade for most cuts, score the glazed face first, and cut slowly to avoid chipping the tile edge. For thick concrete tiles, cut from both sides; for clay and terracotta, use a softer bond turbo blade to prevent edge breakout.

Dry vs Wet Cutting Roof Tiles

Method	Pros	Cons
Dry cut	Fast, mobile on roof	Dust, more chipping risk
Wet cut	Cleanest edge, less dust	Water supply on roof, mess
Damp (spray)	Balanced	Still some dust

Blade Selection

• Concrete roof tile — turbo blade, medium bond. Cuts fast, handles aggregate.
• Clay / terracotta tile — turbo with softer bond. Clay is brittle — a hard blade chips it.
• Glazed tile — score the glaze first, then cut from the back.
• Ridge and hip tiles — same blade, but cut with a guide for angles.

Cutting Tips

• Score the cut line first to prevent glaze chipping.
• Cut on a firm base — never cut tiles free in the air.
• For thick concrete tiles, make two passes instead of forcing depth.
• Use a straight edge for ridge tile miters.
• Clean the dust off the tile before fixing — dust spoils the adhesive.

A turbo dry blade handles most roof tile cutting on a grinder; the turbo mesh disc is the cleanest choice for glazed and thin tiles.

Safety Tips

• Roof work: secure your footing and the grinder — never free-hand over a roof edge.
• Tile dust is silica-rich — wear a P100 respirator and extraction.
• Cut away from yourself and keep the guard on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a tile saw blade on roof tiles?

A>For small wet-cut jobs, yes. For roof work, a grinder with a turbo blade is more practical.

Q: Why does my clay tile chip on the cut?

A>Bond too hard for clay, or dry cutting too fast. Use a softer-bond turbo and slow the feed.

Q: Do I need a diamond blade for concrete roof tiles?

A>Yes — concrete tiles are abrasive; carbide blades dull in a few cuts.

Q: How do I cut a hip tile angle?

A>Mark the miter with a bevel gauge, cut with a turbo blade and dress with a grinder if needed.

Conclusion

A turbo diamond blade cuts concrete and clay roof tiles fast with a clean edge. Browse our turbo blade range for roof and tile work.