Are you ready to transform your space with your new favorite 6″ x 24″ tile? If so, you are in the right place! As with any home renovation project, the key to success is using the proper tools for the job. And in the case of a tile job, using the proper trowel is at the top of the list! In this post, I will explain the importance of using the right trowel, the differences between the trowel types, and give you some guidance on 6×24 tile trowel size.

This post is about what size trowel for 6×24 tile

What Size Trowel to Use for 6″ x 24″ tile?

I wish it were that easy! Unfortunately, much more goes into answering that question than simply giving you a trowel size. In order for you to know you are making a solid choice in trowel size, you need to understand the different types and sizes of trowels, why the type and size matter, and the mortar coverage requirement we are trying to meet.

I can tell you that a 1/2″ x 1/2″ square notch trowel is typically what I use for 6″ x 24″ tile, but in order to verify it is the right size for your application, I encourage you to keep reading!

What Is a Trowel?

A trowel is a hand tool used in various applications to scoop, spread, and apply a material onto a surface. In tile installation, a trowel is a tool used to spread mortar on a surface.

There are four sides of a trowel. One long side and one short side are flat, and the other long side and short side are notched. The flat side of the trowel is used first to “key in” or spread an even layer of mortar on the substrate, helping to ensure a good bond between the two. The notched sides of the trowel are used to comb the mortar creating ridges upon which you will lay the tile.

The tile is set on top of the ridges, with the longest side of the tile running perpendicular to the ridges. The tile is then pressed into the mortar using a back-and-forth motion (perpendicular to the ridges). This releases the air from the space between the ridges and compresses the mortar, providing an excellent bond between the mortar and the tile.

 

Importance of Using the Right Trowel

The ultimate goal with any tile installation is a well-supported and level tile surface. Proper mortar coverage between the tile and the substrate is essential to achieve a well-supported and level surface. This is where choosing the right trowel comes into play.

The trowel type and the trowel size (trowel notch) dictate the amount of mortar deposited onto the substrate once it has been combed with the trowel. The amount of mortar that remains on the substrate is what dictates the amount of coverage of mortar.

There aren’t any standards that get specific about trowel type or trowel size. The American National Standards Institute does give us some general guidelines when it comes to adequate mortar coverage. According to ANSI A108, 80% mortar coverage is required for ceramic and porcelain tile in dry areas and 95% in wet and/or exterior areas. The proper coverage requirement for natural stone is 95% for a dry or wet area (Carothers, n.d.).

Different Types of Trowels

V-Notch Trowel

The v-notch trowel has a sawtooth pattern on the two notched sides. The notches have a v-shape, so they do not leave behind as much mortar as a square-notched trowel. This makes the v-notched trowel a good choice for tiles that are 2″ or smaller in size, such as mosaic tile.

You will find that the v-notched trowel typically has two sizes indicated in the description. The first number shown indicates the width of the notch, and the second number indicates the notch’s depth.

Square-Notch Trowel

The square notched trowel is likely exactly as you are imagining. It has square notches along one long side and one short side of the trowel. Square-notched trowels are typically used in tile applications with tiles greater than 2″ in size.

You will notice that the square-notched trowel typically has three sizes indicated in the description. The first number indicates the width of the notch. The second number indicates the space between the notches. The third number indicates the depth of the notch.

U-Notch Trowel

The u-notch, or u-notched trowel, is as commonly used as the square-notched trowel and is used in the same applications. The difference between the two trowels is that the u-notched trowel leaves rounded top ridges, while the square-notched trowel leaves behind the square top ridges.

Margin Trowel

While it is not the star player in tile installation, the margin trowel is essential in the tile laying process. The margin trowel is an excellent trowel for a couple of functions. It is great for transferring mortar from the bucket to the substrate to be spread with another trowel. It is also the perfect tool for spreading back butter on the back of the tile.

To butter a tile is simply to spread a thin layer of thinset mortar on the back of each tile before setting it in the mortar that has been combed. Buttering fills any gaps or uneven spots on the back of the tile, creating a smooth surface. It also helps to provide better adhesion with the combed mortar.

Industry Standards

Now that we have discussed the types and sizes of trowels and their importance, let’s discuss the industry standard for trowels. The tile size and the type of style are the primary factors when determining which trowel to use. As a general rule, larger tiles require a larger trowel size. Similarly, you will use a smaller size trowel for small tiles.

Since adequate mortar coverage is our goal, there are only suggestions for the correct trowel size. The best way to ensure proper coverage is to start with the trowel size that seems most appropriate. You should then verify the amount of coverage you achieve with that trowel by lifting the first tile you set.

While I always verify the coverage by pulling up and inspecting the first tile I lay, I like to use Gambrick’s Trowel Size Chart as a starting point.

Summary

In this post, I shared with you the different types of trowels and why the type and size of trowel matters. It also shared the ANSI mortar coverage requirement and the trowel type and size I typically use for 6″ x 24″ tile. You should now understand that using the correct type and the right size trowel is critical to achieving the coverage needed for a successful tile project.

If you are still in the planning phase of your renovation, you might be interested in my posts Cost of a Small Bathroom Remodel: Here’s a Breakdown or 8 Inexpensive Bathroom Upgrade Ideas to Make Today!

References

Carothers, S. (n.d.). How To Select the Right Trowel Notch To Obtain the Required Mortar Coverage. How to Select the Right Trowel Notch to Obtain the Required Mortar Coverage. https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/blog/how-to-select-the-right-trowel-notch-to-obtain-required-mortar-coverage