Tools

Trowels

Notched tiling trowels in the full range of notch sizes, plus rendering floats, finishing trowels and plastering trowels in stainless and carbon steel.

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Trowels products

Trowels buying guide

Notch size and coverage

The notch determines the adhesive bed and therefore the coverage under the tile. Undersized notches leave voids; oversized ones waste adhesive and cause excessive squeeze-up into the joints. Notches wear down with use — a trowel that has done a few hundred square metres is no longer cutting the depth stamped on it. Check and replace them.

Stainless versus carbon steel

Stainless will not rust and stays clean in a wet bucket, which suits tiling and wet-area work. Carbon steel is stiffer and many renderers prefer the feel and the finish it produces, but it must be cleaned and dried after every use or it will stain the next wall it touches.

Notch profile

Square notches give the highest bed volume and suit floor tile and large format. V-notches lay down less adhesive and are used on small wall tile where a heavy bed would cause slip. U-notches produce rounded ribs that collapse more readily into a solid bed under the tile, which is why they are often preferred for large-format work where full coverage is critical.

Breaking in a finishing trowel

A new finishing trowel has sharp corners and edges that will dig lines into fresh render or plaster. Break it in by rounding the corners slightly with fine abrasive and working it on a rough surface before using it on a finished wall. Many renderers keep a dedicated older, well-worn trowel specifically for final passes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know when to replace a notched trowel?
Measure the notch depth against a new one. Once it is noticeably reduced, coverage is compromised, and on large-format work that means drummy tiles.
What angle should I hold a notched trowel at?
Around 45 to 60 degrees, consistently, so the notch cuts to its full depth. A shallower angle leaves a thinner bed than the notch size suggests.
Stainless or carbon steel for rendering?
Personal preference mostly. Carbon steel is stiffer and produces a slightly different finish; stainless is lower maintenance.

stocked at both jaden services trade counters — fairfield heights and prestons — with australia-wide delivery and trade pricing for regular accounts. Get in touch