What Size Notch Trowel for a 12×12 Porcelain Tile Floor?

Placing porcelain tiles on a floor is a major job, but having the right tools makes it move a lot more smoothly. The size of notch trowel used for 12- by 12-inch flooring tiles is crucial, as is the kind of the notch itself. Each of the components of masonry possess a decided impact on the general achievement of the job.

Trowel Sizes

Tile trowels can be found in several shapes and sizes, each created to fulfill certain tile program requirements. Small tiles generally need the smaller trowel sizes, and shingles of 16 inches or bigger will take the largest-size trowel. Floor tiles measuring 12 by 12 inches are considered ordinary, demanding a notched trowel size of either 1/4 inch by 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch.

Notch Styles

Floors typically get more use and abuse, meaning that you want a thicker application of mortar than you need wall or ceiling tiles. The notch style of the trowel comes into play here, with choices like V, square, U and hexagonal notches. Each style dispenses varying quantities of mortar. A square-notch spreads the most mortar, followed by the U-notch; both are good options for floor tile program. Utilize a slanted notch for your ideal tile adhesion. Follow manufacturer instructions for your particular mortar and variety of tile.

See related