Granite Tile Countertops Notched Trowel Sizes

The size of the notched trowel depends on the size of the granite for your countertop.

Notched trowels are a type of tool used to apply the thinset mortar or other types of adhesive used to install ceramic and natural stone tiles. When looking at putting granite tile on your countertop, you have a number of trowel sizes to choose from, depending on the size of the tile. The larger the tile, the larger the size of the notch on the trowel will be due to the required mortar specifications.

1/8-inch Trowel

The smallest types of granite require the smallest notched trowel available, which is the 1/8-inch notched trowel. Sold in V-, U- or square-notch formats, the 1/8-inch trowel is ideal for small-bodied tiles, such as the 1-by-1-inch or 2-by-2-inch granite tiles that are normally sold in sheets. A smaller notch is required because too much thinset can cause peaks and valleys in the installation. Also, the extra thinset would ooze up through the joints between the tiles.

1/4-inch Trowel

The 1/4-inch notched trowel was the standard for many years for tiles up to 12 inches. However, modifications to the tile guidelines and recommendations by industry leaders has led to the 1/4-inch trowel being replaced as the standard trowel size. It is still perfect for 4-by-4 up to 8-by-8-inch installations, and while it can still be used for 12-by-12 tiles, it is better for use on the in-between tiles for anything larger than 2-by-2.

3/8-inch Trowel

The 3/8-inch notched trowel is the preferred standard as of 2011 for any tile between 12-by-12 and 14-by-14 inches. It is sold in either square-notch format or European format, which has a number of varying shapes to create the ultimate layer of thinset mortar to which the granite tile bonds. The square notch is ideal for polished granite tiles, because it creates a more uniform layer of thinset, while the European notch is perfect for tumbled stone that requires more thinset to make up for the inconsistencies in stone thickness.

1/2-inch Trowel

For large-bodied granite tile installations that are 16 inches or larger, the 1/2-inch trowel is the weapon of choice. Sold in square-, U- or European-notch variants, the 1/2-inch trowel is perfect for any type of tile that requires a significant amount of mortar beneath it. It can be used for anything up to 24-inch tiles.

References

• Schluter Systems; Custom Counter; Michael Roy
• Build Direct: Notch Trowel Size Guide

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Contractors Direct: Trowels