How to select the correct trowel

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How to select the correct trowel, I have often been asked what trowel size should be used with a certain size tile, in this video i try to explain how to choose the correct notch size for the tile you want to install. The most important determining factor that will dictate the type of trowel that should be used is the size of the trowel, however it is not a hard and fast rule. The shape of the tile, the pattern on the back of the tile, whether the tile is cupped and other factors might influence the trowel size selection. In general the larger the tile, the larger the notch size. There are also different shapes for the teeth or notch of the trowel, but here i am just explaining the basics.
All tile installed by Sal DiBlasi, Elite-tile Company, in the Boston North Shore area. This video contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission if you click on the product link.

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[T.E.P..]

Sal you are a generous soul ... you explain and demonstrate so well! May all the blessings of giving so much come back to you and the ones you love.

[jacobmarley]

finally trowel size fully explained . thanks much subbed

[axs]

Sal, you have done a great job getting many of us up to speed. Thank you sir!

[roclayson]

Another great informative video. Thanks Sal, for sharing your expertise.

[ptde]

Good demonstration..

Congratulations from a Portuguese tile instaler..

[fitguy]

Exactly the info I was looking for. Thank you

[iamchrisroberts]

Thanks Sal, another very helpful video for this amateur!!

[javierc.salazar]

Thank you Sal great information great video. Stay safe brother.

[ahayee]

Thanks Sal for another wonderful video 👍

[andygillen]

This is a great video, all assuming that you don't or can't back butter first.

[paulb]

Thank you for taking the time to make such great and helpful videos. I have a question about which trowel to use for floor tile in my small 8' x 6' bathroom. My floor tile is hexagon shape 12.6" x 12.6" on the flat edges, 14.5" point to point, slightly larger than the 12" x 12" in your video. I'm thinking to use a 1/4" x 3/8" notch as you did in your video. It may seem silly but I'm trying to do the best I can. Thank you.

[alansinclair]

Excellent demo showing how the coverage improves as the notch size changes.

[fuggedaboudit]

A picture is worth a thousand words. What would you use for a 6x40 tile?

[nickorlando]

Great video Sal. I have a job I'd like to do on my home. So from one Bostonian (North End) now in Florida to an expert Bostonian what would you recommend for a trowel size for 6x36" wood look tile with a subfloor of concrete slab? The slab is 6 years old. I bought a new home in 2016. Thank you so much for any help in my project. PS I've done tile work before but I'm not a professional like you.

[FromTheHoodTheWoods]

I’m using a one inch trowel towards the walls of the shower then tapering to half inch or less towards the drain before I lay these pebble rock sheets down. When I did the slope with the mortar mix I didn’t give it enough slope. The drain is sticking up to high and it’s cemented in so won’t twist down. It’s reall just in one side

[slippyg]

Ok so now I get the theory but how the fook do I know what size I need without buying ten trowels

[charlottenee]

Sal, when should you use the notch side of the trowel after using the flat side to apply an even coat of thin set when back buttering????

[mw-khkq]

Hello Sal
What would be good trowel notch size to install 6" x 18" real stone Cararra marble tile on Kerdi board for a shower wall, staggered 1/16" joints using white Schluter All-Set.

[gosolxsolar]

At some point with a large trowel the cement squeezes up between the tiles making it impossible to grout, which could be a worse problem that lesser coverage. How do you deal with that?

[BrandyHarper]

So I don't have to butter the wall and the tile? Oh geez