Trowels Used by Tile Cutters

Straight Edge Trowel

• The straight edge trowel is the simplest of the trowel designs. It is a flat, rectangular trowel with a handle. It pushes the mortar around and creates a smooth surface on which the installer can set new tiles. Unlike other trowels with “teeth” or notches on the edge of the tool, this trowel leaves no obvious marks in the mortar. A straight edge trowel can be used for the entire mortar job if the tiles are glass. They are also convenient for applying the initial mortar to a surface before texturing with another type.

V-Notch

• A V-notch trowel is like a straight edge, except the edge has notches that make v-shaped lines in the mortar. V-notch trowels are small tools used with organic adhesives and on low impact surfaces like residential walls and floors. They are usually used on unsanded adhesive mortars that can be readily compressed when tiles are applied.

Square Notch

• Square notch trowels have squared teeth on the edge of the tool. They are preferred when the ribs of the adhesive design need to break open easily and form a complete bond with superior coverage. The square notch trowel is used on tile surfaces that need to stand up to abuse that exceeds that of the typical residential wall or floor. They are generally used with dry-set sanded adhesives and latex or epoxy mortars.

U-Shaped

• Trowels with u-shaped notches cut in the edge perform similarly to square notch trowels. They are typically used with thin set mortars and large tiles. The arched u-shaped openings on the edge of the tool range from 1/4-inch to 3/4-inches wide.

Grout Float

• A grout float is a rounded, rubber trowel used along tile borders after grout had been applied. It forms a smooth line of grout to help give the tile a clean and professional appearance. The excess grout is wiped away and cleaned off the surface as the last step in the process.