A Technical yet Simple Guide to Matching Vacuum Suction (CFM) to Tile Hardness and Dust Rate for a Cleaner, Safer NSW Floor Renovation. By The ElymentGroup Content Team | Your Local Sydney Flooring Experts If you're planning a tile removal or cutting job in a lovely Sydney or greater NSW home, you're not just managing mess—you’re managing dust. Specifically, the ultra-fine, hazardous crystalline silica dust from materials like porcelain. As experts in dust-free flooring and demolition, we know that the difference between a clean job and a massive clean-up comes down to one critical metric: Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM). So, what’s the secret to a genuinely dust-free project? It's optimising your CFM for the specific tile type. CFM & Tile Hardness: Why a Simple Vacuum Won't Cut It CFM measures the volume of air a vacuum system moves per minute. It's the "pull" that captures dust at the source. But the required pull changes dramatically depending on what you’re cutting. Porcelain vs. Ceramic: Understanding the Dust Rate Porcelain Tile: Extremely dense and hard. When cut, it generates an abundance of fine, respirable silica dust. This is the stuff that can stay airborne for hours. Because of its density and the nature of the dust, you need a high-CFM system for immediate capture. Ceramic Tile: Generally softer and more porous than porcelain. It generates dust, but often the particles are slightly larger, and the sheer volume of fine dust is less intense. A lower, but still robust, CFM may be adequate for removal, though cutting still demands high performance. Natural Stone (e.g., Marble, Granite): These vary wildly. Granite is hard and dust-heavy, while softer natural stones require a different CFM approach, sometimes prioritising seal and water lift over raw CFM. The CFM-Tile Matrix: Our Technical Recommendations To capture hazardous dust effectively, especially in metropolitan areas like Sydney where air quality is paramount, the vacuum system must pull air at a greater rate than the dust is produced, and it must do so right at the cutting or chiselling source. This is about Capture Velocity. For porcelain cutting or grinding, which involves very high-density material, a vacuum system with a CFM range of 250–350+ is recommended. This high CFM is critical for controlling the ultra-fine silica dust produced, and a patented, self-cleaning system is essential to maintain performance. For ceramic tile removal (chipping), which deals with medium-density material, a CFM range of 180–250 is sufficient, focusing on managing immediate debris volume and slightly larger particles. For grout removal or sealing prep, where the material has low to medium density, a CFM range of 150–200 is advised, with an emphasis on high water lift (suction) to effectively handle confined grout lines, rather than just high air volume. Note: These are At-Source CFM figures, not the motor's theoretical maximum. High-quality, patented systems, like those used by ElymentGroup, are engineered to deliver these high CFMs directly where the dust is generated. A Sydney Guide to Dust-Free Reno For homeowners and builders in NSW, choosing a system that prioritises CFM means: Health and Safety Compliance: Meeting or exceeding safety standards for respirable crystalline silica dust exposure. This is crucial for both workers and family members. Air Quality Protection: Preventing dust from migrating through air conditioning ducts and contaminating your entire home or office in Sydney. Time and Cost Savings: Eliminating days of post-job clean-up. When the dust is captured at the source, there is virtually no residue left behind. Key Takeaways for Your Next NSW Project It's about Volume, Not just Suction: For tile dust, a high CFM (air volume) is more important than a high water lift (sealed suction), as you need to move a large volume of air quickly. Check the Filter: Ensure the system uses HEPA filtration to capture the fine silica particles after the initial high-CFM capture. Demand Source Capture: The CFM should be applied via a shroud or attachment right at the cutting blade or chisel tip. Don't risk a dusty mess on your next tile renovation. When you're searching for flooring or tile removal in NSW, specifically ask your contractor about their CFM rating and dust control technology. Stop the Dust, Start the Reno! /* Container */ .cta-container { text-align: center; margin: 30px 0; } /* CTA Button */ .cta-btn { background-color: #e67e22; /* Warm orange for urgency */ color: #fff; border: none; padding: 12px 25px; border-radius: 5px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease; box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(230, 126, 34, 0.5); text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.5px; position: relative; overflow: hidden; } /* Hover + Focus */ .cta-btn:hover, .cta-btn:focus-visible { background-color: #d96b1b; /* Darker orange */ box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(217, 107, 27, 0.7); transform: translateY(-2px); /* Subtle lift */ outline: none; } /* Active state */ .cta-btn:active { transform: translateY(0); box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(217, 107, 27, 0.6); } /* Reduced motion support */ @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { .cta-btn { transition: none; transform: none; } } Want to see our CFM-optimised process in action across Sydney? Follow our latest work! Find us on X @ElymentGroup or visit elyment.com.au. Source of concept inspiration: Industry best-practice guides on silica dust control.