Trowel sizes
#1
02-12-17, 04:11 PM
Trowel sizes
I am in need of some assistance, and am having trouble finding exactly what I need. I'm installing 2 tile floors in my newly built addition. One is a simple 12 x 12 tile and the other is a 6 x 24 inch wood-look tile. The only tile I've installed before was 8 x 8 and I used a 1/4 inch square trowel for them with great success. I've done some searching around, but can't seem to find the same answers anywhere. What size trowel should I use for those 2 floors? Will the 1/4 inch square trowel work for both? Either? I'm using the lft mortar for the 6 x 24 and flexbond for the 12 x 12. Each room is less than 100 square feet. The floor is perfect and flat too. It has 3/4 inch advantech flooring with cement board mortared and screwed with the joints done. Im just really stuck on which trowel to use for the tiles. Thanks in advance for the guidance.
(I think the 1/2 inch trowel is WAY too big, but honestly, I don't know...)
(I think the 1/2 inch trowel is WAY too big, but honestly, I don't know...)
#2
02-12-17, 04:58 PM
Welcome to the forums! the 1/4" trowel will be fine for both applications. Modified thinset is what is commonly used. Not sure what "lft mortar" is, but use thinset.
#5
02-13-17, 05:55 AM
Member
If you want to use LFT mortar for both that will be fine. Use it for you 6x24 and what ever is left over you can use for your 12x12 to minimize waste.
#6
02-21-17, 03:08 PM
Just in case someone is still reading this thread...........
All tiles 12" or larger should be set using a 1/4x3/8x1/4 trowel. A regular ¼" is not enough to achieve the required 85% coverage. Back buttering is also recommended esp. with porcelain tiles, (which most are these days). You could also go with the ½" for the plank and control the thickness by lowering the angle of the trowel. But if the floor is very flat and the mortar is mixed correctly, AND you trowel in the correct direction etc., the same trowel is good for both.
LFT mortar is a good plan with tiles where any side measure 15" or more, but it's great even for smaller tiles or natural stone cuz of its weight.
Jaz
All tiles 12" or larger should be set using a 1/4x3/8x1/4 trowel. A regular ¼" is not enough to achieve the required 85% coverage. Back buttering is also recommended esp. with porcelain tiles, (which most are these days). You could also go with the ½" for the plank and control the thickness by lowering the angle of the trowel. But if the floor is very flat and the mortar is mixed correctly, AND you trowel in the correct direction etc., the same trowel is good for both.
LFT mortar is a good plan with tiles where any side measure 15" or more, but it's great even for smaller tiles or natural stone cuz of its weight.
Jaz
