Trowels for Tiling

Pro Tip: To make sure your trowel choice is correct, press and twist a test tile into the wet mortar. Pull it off and check the back. If you do not have complete coverage across the tile, you need to use a larger trowel.

When choosing a trowel for tile installation, keep in mind that the dimensions of your tile determine the notch size of your trowel, and the notch size determines the amount of mortar it distributes. 

Trowel size determines how much thinset to put on the substrate, as well as how thick the bed of thinset should be under the tile.

Here's a quick guide to help you choose the right trowel for your installation:

• Mosaic & Small Tile up to 4" - 3/16" or 1/4" V-notch
  
• Standard Tile 4" to 8" - 1/4" × 1/4" Square notch
• Medium Tile 8" to 15" - 1/4" × 3/8" Square notch
• Large-Format Tile 12" and larger - 1/2" × 1/2" Square, Euro, or Slant notch

It is important to know that no matter the trowel size selected, you must "back-butter" the back of all large format tiles (over 12"x12"). This ensures a strong mechanical bond by filling in the tile's structural grooves before placing it in the combed mortar on the floor or wall.

Keep in mind that the shape of your trowel matters:

• Square Notch Trowels are commonly used for floor tile and large-format tile installation. These trowels leave ridges of mortar that collapse easily when the tile is wiggled into place, ensuring maximum bonding.
• Euro Notch Trowels and Slant Notch Trowels are the pro-preferred choice for large-format tiling.
• V-Notch Trowels are best for installation of small wall tile, backsplashes, and lightweight ceramic or glass mosaic.