A trowel is…

One of the most important plastering tools is a trowel. Whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or a seasoned professional, this basic hand tool is essential to getting even, smooth surfaces on walls. The trowel’s rectangular, flat blade makes it easy to precisely apply, spread, and smooth plaster.

Although using a trowel might seem simple, getting the hang of it can have a significant impact on the caliber of your work. You can steer clear of common problems like air bubbles, uneven layers, and rough finishes by using the proper trowel technique. To achieve the best effects, plastering a wall requires careful control over its thickness and consistency rather than just slapping it on.

Trowels come in a variety of forms, each ideal for a particular job. Selecting the right trowel can save you time and effort, whether you’re using a corner or finishing trowel. This article will discuss the different kinds of trowels, how to select the best one, and useful plastering techniques.

A plasterer"s trowel for different types of finishing

To lay mortar and toss cement-sand mixtures, a plasterer’s trowel is utilized. The aforementioned trowel comes in multiple sizes. The 60/100 mm size is the most widely used.

The mixture applied to the work surface is smoothed using a plasterer’s trowel, which doubles as a float. It can be used to add aesthetic appeal to the hardened mortar.

Using a specialized tool, you can process (smooth and/or level) the working wall’s internal or external corners. The trowel used for plastering is under discussion.

When laying tiles, a tiler’s trowel, also known as a plastering spatula because of its drop-shaped metal construction, is used to measure or apply the solution.

The trowel, a tool used in decorative plaster application, is an important tool. The reason a trowel is required when working with plaster is explained in the name of the tool itself. When the solution hardens, this working assistant helps to give the surface a pleasing appearance.

When plastering walls, a trowel is a basic yet necessary tool that is used to apply, spread, and smooth plaster evenly across surfaces. It is available in different sizes and shapes, each intended to perform a specific function, such as covering wide areas or rounding corners. Anybody working on plastering projects, whether a professional or a do-it-yourselfer, needs a good trowel to help achieve a smooth, even finish.

Concreter"s trowel

For mixing plaster solutions, concrete workers have a special triangular weapon. This type of construction equipment is large in size. This is due to the need for a clear dosage of the mixture. Due to the wide side edges, the master can effectively scatter the concrete mixture over the working surface. Another nuance of the finishing trowel can be noted – these are rounded corners. This configuration eliminates the appearance of unwanted stripes on the wall when smoothing it. Large paddle sizes allow you to control the dosage of the preparation solution. The length of the blade of a working device for finishing work can reach 200 mm, and the width can approach 150 millimeters.

Mason"s trowel

Masons utilize a trowel for bricklaying, which is composed of:

As the form of a builder’s "peaceful weapon," we can say that this type of trowel is the most common, and the variety of models is simply astounding. Experts in bricklaying employ equipment that is practically "tailored" to their requirements.

This mostly has to do with the particulars of the job, like:

1. In order to pick up the finished mixture in the corners and form a layer of mortar, the base of the “peaceful weapon” is rounded and trimmed.
2. Builders tap the brick with the handle of the trowel to more tightly fix it to the cement mortar. Therefore, regardless of the material the handle is made of: metal or wood, there is a metal heel at the end of the handle, preventing the handle from breaking. The height of the leg can vary from 40 to 50 mm.
3. A trowel designed for working with bricks is made of durable steel with sharp edges, with which the mason can easily split the brick if necessary.
4. Professionals often sharpen the trowel for themselves. Individual sizes are most often 160-170 mm in width, and the length of the blade is 100-110 millimeters. In this case, the edges of the construction trowel are ground on a machine, the bend of the leg itself changes.

All options are subject to change, with the exception of the Venetian plaster application tool.

Trowel for applying Venetian plaster

It is possible to characterize Venetian trowels as a unique kind of builder’s assistant that is employed to apply various wall décor styles. "Venetian" consists of:

• stainless steel;
• or plastic, with a corrugated surface.

With the help of "Venetian" you can imitate stone or tree bark, marble, etc. on the work wall. The shapes and sizes can be different. For example, to apply decorative plaster "Bark beetle", use a special tool made of plastic. Any of the types should have a comfortable handle. This can be rubberized plastic or wood, most often beech. The working surface is polished to a mirror shine, which minimizes the sticking of the solution. The rectangular shape makes it possible to carry out the work process at different angles. If the corners are even slightly curved, this will cause scratches, which is unacceptable. In addition, during the work, it is necessary to periodically wet the base in order to prevent scratches on the wall surface.

You can read about other types of working tools that are available for using with ready-made mixtures below. One more type is the one that was mentioned above.

Other types of trowels

A tiler’s trowel can have various shapes, such as a trapezoidal one. You can mix and apply a measured solution, such as cement or gypsum, with the aid of a trowel. It is possible to work on various surfaces. The 120–180 mm range is the most popular.

The applied mixture is meant to be smoothed out with a notched trowel once it has hardened. The teeth on a comb range in size from 4 to 100 millimeters. The spatula’s shape can be:

1. Rectangular.
2. Trapezoidal.
3. In the form of a triangle.
4. Or resembling a drop.
5. There is an oval-shaped tool.

The decision is based on the task at hand.

The master will need a trowel to neaten up the seams and give them a polished look. The trowel may be used as

Either way, this is a pointed, narrow plate. The trowel’s length can range from 75 to 100 mm.

Kindly take note! The shortened version is useful for pointing vertical masonry joints.

The most widely used trowel widths for aerated concrete range from 100 to 400 mm. This trowel is multifunctional; it can be used to apply the finished mixture carefully in one motion and to grab the necessary amount in one grab. Concurrently, use the trowel’s serrated surface to create a relief.

An indispensable tool for any plasterer’s toolkit is the trowel. Although it may appear straightforward at first, it plays a critical role in producing even, smooth surfaces. The trowel gives you easy and precise control over the material when smoothing a finish or applying plaster to a wall.

With practice, the ideal trowel becomes a natural extension of your hand, assisting you in getting the greatest outcomes. Having the right tool is not as important as knowing how to use it well to streamline and expedite your work.

Your plastering project will look better if you invest in a high-quality trowel. With the aid of this little tool, you can give walls a polished, smooth finish that will last for years.

Video on the topic

WHAT TO PUTTY WITH TROWEL or SPATULA

How to easily choose a trowel (mason"s trowel)

A trowel is the main tool of a mason. – [© masterkladki]

A gift from DEKOMASTER. Golden Trowel .