The "teeth" or notches on a steel trowel are designed to control the amount of material spread and ensure air can escape when pressing a tile into place. Selecting the right type depends entirely on the size of your tile or material and whether you are working on a floor or wall.
Choosing a Size by Tile Type
A general rule for notch sizing based on your project:
- Mosaics/Small Tiles (<10cm): Use 3–4.5mm V-notch or square-notch.
- Standard Wall Tiles (10–30cm): Use a 6mm notch.
- Standard Floor Tiles (30–40cm): Use an 8mm or 10mm square-notch.
- Large Format Tiles (>40cm): Use a 12mm to 20mm notch (often U-shaped) to ensure 100% coverage. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Specialized Options
- Semicircle/Tiger Notch: Used for hardwood flooring or large-format tiles to ensure nearly 100% coverage and reduce air pockets.
- Slanted Notch: Designed to collapse in one direction for easier tile bedding and superior bond strength.