Frequently Asked Questions
What size notched trowel do I need for my tile?
Bigger tile, bigger notch: 3/16"–1/4" for mosaics and small wall tile, 1/4"x3/8" for 8–16 inch tile, and 1/2" square notch for large-format. The goal is 80–95% mortar coverage when you press the tile in.
What's the difference between a square-notch and U-notch trowel?
Square notches carry more mortar per pass; U-notches spread with less effort and collapse into a more even bed. Both work — large heavy tile usually favors deep square notches.
Why use a urethane grout float instead of rubber?
Urethane is firmer and more abrasion-resistant, so it packs joints tightly and stands up to epoxy and high-performance grouts that chew up soft rubber floats.
What is a margin trowel for?
Everything — scooping and mixing mortar, back-buttering, cleaning other tools, lifting a just-set tile, and working in corners. It's the one hand tool every setter carries.