What Size Trowel For 6x24 Floor Tile

You lot desire to know which notched trowel to use for your tile project. The boxes of tile that you buy usually don't tell y'all which trowel to employ with them.

Consequently, I get asked nearly trowel sizes quite a bit.

Finding the instructions on the trowels or the bags of thinset is a hopeless endeavor. It seems equally though it's a big hole-and-corner.

Then, this mail service is going to cover:

Why the trowel accept notches in the first place
Dissimilar sizes of notched trowels
Common tile sizes and which trowels to use (subway, 12×24, etc)

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

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Table of Contents (click to aggrandize)

Why does trowel size affair?
- Request which tile trowel size to use is the wrong question
  - It's all nearly the coverage
  - What's the proper corporeality of mortar to take underneath my tile?
    - Lesser line
Notched Trowel Size Guide
- ⅛ inch x ⅛ inch foursquare notch trowel
  - Kerdi Trowel
- ¼ inch x three/16 inch V-notch trowel
- 3/16th x 3/16th foursquare notch trowel
  - Ditra Trowel
- ¼ inch 10 ¼ inch square notch trowel
  - Ditra-Heat Trowel
- ¼ inch x ⅜ inch square notch trowel
- ½ inch 10 ½ inch square notch trowel
- Specialty trowels
  - Euro Notch trowel
  - Camber notched trowel
  - Margin Trowel
Best Practices when Troweling mortar
- Directional Troweling
- Back Buttering Tile
FAQ nearly tile notch trowels

Why does trowel size affair?

The notches are important on trowels. They go out an even and consistent corporeality of mortar down to set your tiles into.

Furthermore, the purpose of the notches is to give the mortar a place to "plummet into" once the tile is installed and compressed down.

But here'southward the problem:

Asking which tile trowel size to apply is the wrong question

I know this seems ridiculous. You're asking a very elementary question and would similar a simple reply.

Even so, because there are and then many variations in tile, even in tiles that look similar, it's non every bit straightforward of an answer as you would think.

Consequently, what yous should be asking is: "Am I getting the proper mortar coverage underneath my tiles?"

It's all nigh the coverage

For case, permit'southward say that you lot have a ¼ inch x ¼ inch square notched trowel that works keen for Home Depot Restore 3×6 subway tile. Additionally, you've found this trowel to identify the perfect corporeality of mortar for these tiles.

So, you decide to use this notch trowel again for your new 3×vi extra-thick and wavy handmade tiles from the local specialty shop that all the designers rave nigh.

But this time yous discover that in that location but isn't enough mortar underneath. Information technology's non transferring over to the back of the tile.

Well so, what happened? It'due south still the same size tile, isn't information technology?

To summarize, this is why it'southward important to check your mortar coverage no matter which size trowel someone says to utilize.

What's the proper amount of mortar to take underneath my tile?

The proper amount of mortar underneath a tile will permit the tile to exist fully supported by the mortar without uncontrollably oozing out of the grout joints. More than on this below.

Watch full-length Trowel video on the DIYTileGuy Youtube Channel

For a more exact definition, the American National Standard Specifications for the Installation of Ceramic Tile (ANSI, for brusk) came up with the post-obit guidelines:

dry areas need a minimum of 80% coverage
wet areas (inside a shower, for example) need a minimum of 95% coverage
Natural stone tiles demand a minimum of 95% coverage

Thinset option

In addition to proper trowel option, information technology's important to apply the correct thinset for each state of affairs. For example, Schluter products are famous for their unmodified mortar requirements. Also, drinking glass tile is usually something that needs very careful mortar selection.

Bottom line

You'll demand to pick the tiles dorsum up from time to time to brand certain you lot're getting skilful coverage.

Notched Trowel Size Guide

⅛ inch x ⅛ inch square notch trowel

This is nigh the smallest notch size trowel that nosotros use in the tile globe. Anything smaller is typically for mucilage applications.

The ⅛ inch foursquare notch trowel is used for some thin waterproof membranes. Which ones? You'll have to read the instructions for the make and production that you are installing.

This trowel is as well used, occasionally, for very thin glass mosaic tiles with flat backs.

Kerdi Trowel

Schluter Systems has its own branded Kerdi Trowel for installing its Kerdi Shower Organization. The Kerdi Trowel is simply a ⅛ x ⅛ inch square notch trowel. Call back, in improver to using unmodified mortar, Schluter at present has their own brand of tile mortars, some of which are modified.

¼ inch x 3/xvi inch Five-notch trowel

This trowel is used for some thin waterproof membranes. Additionally, certain uncoupling membranes are installed with this size trowel. Over again, you lot'll need to check what the manufacturer requires for the item membrane that you are using.

Small mosaic tiles like small-scale, thin hex or penny round tiles are examples that would likely require this trowel size.

3/16th x 3/16th foursquare notch trowel

This trowel size didn't use to exist common until recently. I use this trowel wherever I would use the ¼ x 3/16 inch V-notch trowel. They utilise similar amounts of mortar.

Ditra Trowel

The Ditra Trowel is simply a 3/16 10 3/16 square notch trowel. Technically, they say that it's 5/64 x five/64. This trowel size is what yous would utilise to install the ⅛ inch thick Ditra Membrane.

¼ inch x ¼ inch square notch trowel

This is, quite likely, the virtually common size of trowel that tile setters own. Nosotros use this trowel size for:

Cement board
Sure uncoupling membranes
Some of the thicker uncoupling membranes like the uncoupling rut membranes
Some mosaic tiles typically in the two-3 inch range
Sure glass mosaic tiles such equally the mixed linear glass mosaic tiles that you run into in the video
Subway tile and other ceramic tiles upward to 6×6 inches square
Pebble tile
Too every bit other applications

Ditra-Heat Trowel

The Ditra-Heat Trowel is a ¼ inch x ¼ inch square notch trowel. You would use this size with Ditra-Heat, Ditra-Heat Duo, and Ditra XL.

¼ inch x ⅜ inch square notch trowel

This trowel would be used for some of the thicker uncoupling estrus membranes (cheque with the manufacturer).

This sized notch trowel is also great for installing 12x12s, thirteen×13's, and sixteen×16's.

Additionally, I like to apply this size trowel for the bigger "subway" tiles such as the iv×12's and 4×sixteen'due south.

½ inch ten ½ inch square notch trowel

The big ½ inch square notch trowel is used for big tiles. You want to use this for most tiles that are 16-inches and larger. And then, this is a skillful trowel size for 12×24'southward, 16×xvi's, six×24'southward, 8×36'southward, wood-await plank tiles, etc.

Additionally, it's a skillful choice for natural stone tiles 12×12 and larger like marble, granite, and travertine.

Specialty trowels

Euro Notch trowel

The Euro notched trowel is an innovation that is designed to collapse the ridges in the mortar in a more than efficient style.

This type of trowel will often be specified when installing the actually big thin porcelain tile panels that are condign more popular today.

Slant notched trowel

Slant notched trowels are also designed to collapse the ridges in the mortar more hands. These trowels are a little harder to come by, though.

Margin Trowel

The margin trowel has nothing to do with combing mortar. Rather, it'southward a tool that every tile setter owns and uses in a variety of ways.

It really is an essential tool for scooping mortar out of the bucket, lifting tiles, and cleaning the mortar from around the edge of the tile.

Margin trowels come up in two dissimilar sizes simply the 5-6 inch is the nigh popular.

Best Practices when Troweling mortar

Yes, there are even all-time practices when troweling mortar on a wall or floor. Please keep in listen these are not rules but simply recommendations.

The bottom line is always to get the required amount of mortar coverage on the dorsum of the tile. These two tips will help you attain this goal.

Directional Troweling

When troweling thinset mortar, the all-time style to exercise it is to comb the notches in one direction. You so install the tile and wiggle it back and forth against the notches. This is the best way of collapsing the ridges into i another.

Additionally, when installing a rectangular, or oblong tile, you want to rummage the notches so that they are perpendicular to the long management of the tile. The reason is that this is the shortest path for air to escape.

Back Buttering Tile

Dorsum buttering is some other practice that helps you achieve maximum mortar coverage on your tile. What the heck is back buttering?

It's when you "key in" the mortar to the dorsum of the tile. In other words, you've spread the mortar notches in one direction on the floor or wall, you lot then spread mortar on the back of the tile using the flat side of your notch trowel and scrape it off.

What this does is:

Force the mortar into the back of the tile
Fills in the uneven backing so that it'southward a flat surface

Back buttering should be done on whatever tile that is 12×12 and larger, in my opinion.

Doing these two things, directional troweling and back buttering your tile, volition help you to achieve the minimum amount of mortar required for your projection.

FAQ about tile notch trowels

What size trowel for subway tile?

Typically, a ¼ inch x ¼ inch foursquare notch trowel is perfect for the average subway tile

What size trowel for 12×24 inch tile?

A ½ inch 10 ½ inch foursquare notch trowel or a ¼ inch x ½ inch square notch is a expert size for this tile. Don't forget to trowel your notches the short way and back butter the tile

What size trowel for mosaic tile?

A ¼ inch x ¼ inch square notch trowel is typically the right choice for two×two and 3×3 mosaic tiles that come in sheets.

What size trowel for 6×24 tile?

A ½ x ½ inch square notch trowel is my preferred trowel for this size tile. You could likewise use a ¼ inch x ⅜ inch square notch trowel. Make certain to fill the hump in the eye of the tile with mortar.

What size trowel for 6×36 tile?

A ½ x ½ inch square notch trowel is a skillful option for this size of tile.

What size trowel for 12×12 wall tile?

A ¼ inch x ⅜ inch foursquare notch trowel works well for most 12 x 12 tiles (30cm x 30cm).

What size trowel for penny tile flooring?

¼ inch x 3/16 inch 5-notch trowel works well for well-nigh penny-circular tiles. A 3/xvi inch x iii/16 inch foursquare notch trowel (Ditra trowel) works simply equally well.

Square notch vs U notch tile trowels

This is when the finish of the aqueduct on a notched trowel is rounded instead of square.

It'due south my agreement that the U-notch is supposed to perform better only I don't know the reason why. I think the idea is that is would compress into the back of the tile in a better way.

In my opinion, there really isn't a compelling reason to choose a U-notch over its similar-sized square notch counterpart. Information technology volition spread slightly less mortar than the foursquare notch as the measurement is taken at the meridian of the arch.

How thick is the thinset under the tile once it'south installed?

Permit me start by saying that this isn't a straightforward calculation. It'southward usually the engineers that are trying to precisely make up one's mind how thick the whole tile assembly is going to be.

Accept a ¼ x ¼ inch square notch trowel, for example. One might think that since the notch is ¼ inch tall and ¼ inch broad that compressing the tile simply fills in the infinite. Therefore, half of the ¼ inch loftier notch fills in the space leaving information technology ⅛ inch high.

I've fifty-fifty seen another blog utilize this very adding merely it isn't correct. They don't cistron in that you are belongings the trowel at an bending and non straight up & down. Therefore the mortar that is combed onto the floor isn't ¼ inch high.

Then in the case of the ¼ x ¼ inch square notched trowel, the actual amount of mortar might be closer to iii/32.

But, again, the variables are the angle of the trowel, the consistency of the mortar, how well the notches are collapsed, and whether the tile was back buttered, or not.

What's reassuring is that fifty-fifty if your calculations are slightly off y'all tin notwithstanding make small adjustments to make up for variations.