What Notched Trowel Is for a Glass Backsplash?

Skim Coating

• Regardless of the size of the glass tile you are working with, you have to skim coat the backs of the tiles with a thin layer of mortar or adhesive with the flat side of your trowel before installing the tiles. This is to keep any of the notches from the troweled adhesive on the wall from showing through to the surface of the tile. While relatively easy for larger tiles, it is a messy process with mosaics and you will need to keep a sponge and water on hand to clean the excess up after you have installed the sheets.

Mosaics

• An 8-inch trowel is sufficient for mosaics and tiles up to a 1/4 inch in facial dimensions, provided you use the V notch type of trowel, as this applies more thinset than other versions and increases the bond of the tile on the backsplash. Ensure that the thinset is combed evenly to ensure that no excess is allowed to build up and potentially squeeze up around the tile into the joints during the installation of the pieces.

12 Inches

• The type of tile you are dealing with for 12-inch tiles depends. While ceramics from 4 inches up to 12 inches can use a 1/4-inch notched trowel, once you hit 12 inches with natural stone you need to switch over to the 3/8-inch trowel for sufficient coverage. This trowel will work with all types of tiles and stones up to 16 inches in size.

Large Tiles

• The largest types of tiles above and beyond 16 inches in facial size will need at least a 1/2-inch trowel; however, particularly large or heavy pieces, or those natural stones with varying natural imperfections in width, will need a 3/4-inch trowel to provide sufficient coverage. Check the back of a piece of tile after it has been installed by pulling it off the wall after insertion to check the coverage level and determine if your trowel is large enough or not. Coverage should be as close to 100 percent as possible.