What Is a Grout Float & a Notched Trowel?
- Notched trowels have a thin metal rectangle attached to a plastic or wooden handle. The trowel is flat on two adjoining edges and notched with a series of square cutouts on the other two edges. The notches ensure that thinset mortar used to cement tiles in place is applied with the correct spread to secure the tiles. Notches are available in a wide variety of sizes, such as 1/8 or 1/2 inch, referring to the width of the notch. Different tile sizes require different notch sizes, so knowing which size trowel you need for a particular installation is vital.
- The long, flat edge of a notched trowel scoops thinset mortar from the bucket so it can be dropped in place on the floor. The same edge is used to spread thinset on the floor. Flip the trowel to the long, notched edge to comb thinset into an arced pattern. The short, notched edge is for reaching into tight places, like the floor along walls where cut tiles will be placed. Large tiles -- those over 12-inches square or greater than 1/4-inch thick -- must be buttered on back in addition to being set on combed thinset. Either the flat edge or notched edge can butter tiles.
- A grout float is typically made of plastic with a handle similar to the one on a trowel. The base of a float is thicker than that of a trowel, and the bottom is wrapped in soft rubber. Floats are used to apply grouting material onto tiles that have been set in place and allowed to cure. The rubber prevents scratching as the float pushes grout into the joints between tiles.
- Grout is mixed in a bucket the same as thinset. A float pulls out a measure of the material, which can then be dropped onto the tiles. Holding the float on a 45-degree angle to the floor and sweeping it diagonally across the tiles forces grout between the joints. The rubber base not only prevents scratching, but it also acts to keep most of the grouting material off the tiles and into the joints.