Building Homes or Extensions/Tile Floor

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Expert: - 7/19/2008


Question
How to cut in a air vent on a Ceramic floor

Answer
Bob, you sure didn't waste anything extra on details.  I guess you have an existing ceramic tile floor that is installed on a wood framed floor and you want to cut in a HVAC grill after the fact.

If I were doing it, I would use a dry diamond blade in an offset grinder.  This makes a huge amount of dust but is fast and easy to control.  You could also use a circular saw with a fiber blade.  Again there will be plenty of dust.  The ceramic able blades will not work well on the wood subfloor that is under the tile which may require sacrificing a wood capable blade that will probably be destroyed when it hits a nail, thinset, or ceramic.  Another choice that is very slow, but creates less dust would be drilling a hole and then sawing out the cuwith a reciprocating saw using a grit edges blade.  Any blade capable of dealing with ceramic will not like cutting wood.

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Dan Griffin

Expertise

I can answer almost all questions related to the total construction process. My expertise is in commercial construction, though I can field most any residential question. I have hands on experience in concrete, heavy equipment, masonry, all phases of carpentry, interior finishes, and I am fairly strong in mechanical and electrical.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience as a commercial carpenter and commercial construction superintendent. I have another 20 years experience in facility management for a major school district.

Organizations
My favorite hobby for he past 12 years has been singing bass in a The OkChorale men's barbershop chorus and the Mature Moments quartet.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Bachelor's degree in English and Math. I have completed many continuing education hours in the building trades. I hold a Master Carpenter card from the AGC, Associated General Contractors.

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