Selecting the correct trowel for the project cannot be stressed enough if you want to achieve proper coverage and long-lasting installations.

Tile trowels are designed with notched edges in different shapes, for different purposes to spread thinsets and tile adhesives evenly. This even application of mortar ensures a strong bond between the tile and the substrate. The size and shape of the notch determine how much tile adhesive is left behind, applied, to minimize the squish in the joint, yet achieve proper coverage with correctly collapsed ridges. 

Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Trowel for Your Application? 

Using a proper trowel notch ensures your coverage. Failure to use the proper size will result in a poor bond between the tile and the substrate causing cracked tiles, popped tiles and cracked grout joints. 

Larger notches, on the other hand, deposit too much adhesive that creates thicker ridges. Thick ridges may be good for larger tiles, but when used with smaller or lighter tiles, they can potentially cause lippage — where the tiles don’t sit flush, leaving gaps between them. The right trowel ensures the adhesive spreads evenly and securely bonds every tile to the surface. 

Precise selection of your tile trowel requires an examination of the following:

• Substrate
• Uncoupling membrane selection
• Tile size

Our Trowel Collection

At Tile ProSource, we carry high-quality products from leading industry manufacturers, including Barwalt, Marshalltown, Primo Tools, Schluter and more. Our selection of tile trowels includes:

• Square-notch trowels: Square notch trowels are used most commonly for setting floor tiles up to 16 inches on one side. A square notch trowel can be used on any material, including porcelain, ceramic, natural stone and occasionally large mosaics. The square notch provides a large amount of thinset allowing even coverage with proper installation techniques.
• V-notch trowels: V-notch is typically considered the best trowel for small wall tile installations, such as backsplashes, fireplace surrounds and other detail work. Lightweight glass tiles, ceramic tiles, shell mosaics and other intricate materials, with a face smaller than 6 inches, require less thinset for adhering to a vertical surface. The V-notch gives the best grab with the least amount of thinset left behind to squish through grout lines with setting pressure. 
• U-notch trowels: A u-notch trowel is used in similar circumstances to the square notch trowel, meaning larger floor tiles. Most tile contractors prefer to use the u-notch over the square-notch on wall applications as the rounded shape at the top of the ridge allows bond easier with the added elements of gravity and weight. Both square and u-notch ridges will flatten for even coverage, creating a strong bond.
• Euro notch trowels: These have an irregular notch pattern combining both shallow, wide notches and deep narrow notches on the same trowel. This allows thinset to collapse efficiently, virtually eliminating air pockets. The main use of the euro notch trowel is for large format tiles, since they are historically more difficult to achieve full coverage due to the crown in the tile and eliminating the air pockets during installation.
• Margin trowels: These lightweight hand tools are ideal for applying adhesive in tight, hard-to-reach spaces. Margin trowels are perfect for detail work and smaller tile sections where accuracy is critical. Most tile contractors prefer to keep a margin trowel near the thinset bucket for light mixing.
• Specialty manufacturer trowels: Some trowels are designed specifically for a manufacturer's specification on their product to ensure the correct size is used in order to maintain warranties.
• Slant notched trowels: Slant notched trowels are becoming increasingly popular because the angle of the ridge left behind the slant is considered partially collapsed. This promotes better air evacuation during setting. They leave behind less thinset than some other trowel notches, using less thinset for the same installation.

Shop Tile ProSource for Quality Tile Trowels

We chose every trowel in our collection to make your work faster, easier and more professional. Shop online today and enjoy free shipping for items over $199. You can also reach our team at (877) 712-6773 for personalized tool recommendations or help troubleshooting your newly acquired tile tool.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tile Trowels

What Size Tile Trowel Should I Use for 12x24 Tile?

What’s the Difference Between Square Notch, V-Notch, and U-Notch Trowels

What Is a Euro Notch Trowel Used For?