Notched Trowel Uses & Tiling Applications: The Complete Guide
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When it comes to tiling and floor or wall preparation, notched trowels are an essential tool in any professional tradesperson’s kit. These seemingly simple yet highly specialised tools play a crucial role in applying adhesives and levelling compounds evenly, ensuring a reliable bond between surfaces and materials. Whether you’re working with ceramic tiles, stone, or preparing subfloors and walls for installation, understanding how and when to use a notched trowel can make a noticeable difference in the quality and longevity of your work.
What Is a Notched Trowel?
A notched trowel is a hand tool featuring a flat steel blade with evenly spaced notches cut along one or more edges. These notches are specifically designed to leave behind uniform ridges of adhesive, allowing materials like tiles or boards to be bedded into a consistent layer with optimal grip.
What Is the Purpose of a Notched Trowel?
In simple terms, the notched trowel controls the volume of adhesive applied to a surface. The notched pattern ensures even distribution of adhesive or mortar, better adhesion between substrates, reduced risk of air pockets and voids, and improved surface flatness.
Types of Notch Patterns
Not all notched trowels are created equal. The shape and depth of the notches play a pivotal role in how much adhesive is dispensed and how well it bonds to a surface. The two main types of notches you’ll encounter are U and V.
Square Notch
Square notches are the most commonly used type for tile adhesive application. They create parallel adhesive lines and leave air gaps that collapse under pressure to ensure full coverage. These are best for floor and wall tiling, large ceramic or porcelain tiles, and thick-bed adhesive applications.
V-Notch
With a pointed V shape, the V-notch is best suited for spreading small amounts of adhesive and is commonly used for lightweight tiles, splashbacks, and small mosaic tiles on vertical surfaces.
What Notched Trowel to Use
When deciding what notched trowel to use, it’s not just about the notch shape—it’s also about size. The size of the notch determines the thickness of the adhesive bed, which varies depending on the material you’re fixing and the surface condition.
General Size Guide
- Mosaic tiles (up to 100mm): V-notch, 3-4mm
- Floor tiles (200–400mm): Square notch, 8–10mm
- Large format tiles: Square notch, 10–12mm
- Uneven surfaces: Square notch, up to 15mm
It’s always wise to consult the adhesive manufacturer’s guidelines and consider the flatness of the surface when choosing your trowel.
How to Use a Notched Trowel
Using a notched trowel correctly is key to achieving a strong, even bond. Begin by selecting the right trowel for your material and substrate.
- Apply adhesive to the surface using the flat edge of the trowel to create a solid base.
- Then, hold the trowel at a 45–60° angle and comb the adhesive with the notched edge to form uniform ridges.
- Press your material firmly into place, twisting slightly to collapse the ridges and ensure full contact.
- It’s good practice to occasionally lift a tile to check that the adhesive is making full contact underneath.
Best Practice Tips
To ensure the best results, work in small sections to prevent the adhesive from skinning over before the material is laid. Keep the notch size consistent across the area for a level finish. When working with large format tiles, it’s often beneficial to apply adhesive to the back of the tile also known as back-buttering, to maximise contact. Cleaning your trowel regularly during use will help maintain consistent performance.
REFINA Notched Trowels
REFINA notched trowels are designed and manufactured with the needs of professional tradespeople in mind. Our range includes various notch profiles and sizes crafted from high-quality stainless steel for durability and rust resistance. These tools are built to withstand the demands of daily use while maintaining their performance over time.
The REFINA NotchTile range stands out with its distinctive two-step H45 notch pattern—a unique design innovation developed by tradespeople for tradespeople. This pattern is specifically designed to undercut adhesives and allow ridges to collapse with less pressure and give maximum coverage. Whether you’re tiling a kitchen splashback, laying large format tiles in a bathroom, or working on a commercial flooring project, the NotchTile trowels deliver excellent control and a professional finish every time.
From tile adhesive and floor levelling compounds to plasterboard adhesives and other bonding agents, the REFINA notched trowel range is designed to meet the needs of jobs big and small, helping you achieve a uniform spread with confidence and ease.
When to Replace a Notched Trowel
It’s also important to know when to replace your notched trowel. A worn-out tool can reduce the quality of your work, leading to poor bonding and uneven surfaces. If the notches are rounded or damaged, the blade is bent, or the handle feels unstable, it’s time to invest in a new one. Consistent ridges rely on well-defined notches, and even a small amount of wear can affect the integrity of your finish.
In summary, whether you’re applying adhesive to plasterboards or laying ceramic tiles, a notched trowel is essential for ensuring uniform application and maximum adhesion.
At REFINA, we supply notched trowels that are built to perform, crafted with precision, designed for the trade, and trusted by professionals. Explore our full range and take the guesswork out of adhesive application.
