Posted on Date 20th Dec 2023
What tools do you need to tile a wall?
If you are thinking of tiling a wall at home, then you are going to need the right tools to get the job done safely and securely.
And whether its a splashback around the sink or a feature wall in your kitchen, you will need a combination of common household tools like a tape measure and spirit level with more product specific tools like notched trowels, grout floats, tile cutters etc.
What safety wear do you need for tiling a wall?
Its always better to err on the side of caution when tiling so its always advisable to use protectives googles and gloves wherever possible when installing wall tiles, especially when using tile cutters as well as tile nippers.
What tools do I need to cut wall tiles?
It is very likely that you will have to cut your tiles during installation to fit the necessary space. There are two main types of tile cutters on the market manual tile cutters and electric tile cutters. Manual tile cutters are fine for ceramic and smaller porcelain tiles but for everything else then an electric or wet cutter is highly recommended.
The other tool you will need to invest in for tile cutting is a pair of tile nippers. Low cost, tile nippers are primarily used to make small circular cuts in a tile so that they can fit around a sink or toilet (and other tricky places in the home).
Are there specific trowels to use when tiling walls?
We would always recommend using a minimum 10mm notch trowel when it comes to applying a bed of adhesive on which to apply your tiles. They have been purposely designed for scooping, spreading, levelling and combing the adhesive in the home.
Its also worth investing in the stainless-steel version as this wont rust, even after repeated use. Dont forget that when trowelling your adhesive that you make sure to trowel at a 45-degree angle and to press hard scraping the floor to leave whats known as a notch of adhesive.
Should I use tile spacers when tiling a wall?
Although technically not a tool, we would always recommend using tile spacers, preferably 2mm, when tiling a wall.
Do I need a grout float to grout tiles?
The last tool you are going to need when tiling a wall is a grout float. A grout float is a purpose made tool designed to spread your grout over the tile and in between the tiles. While a grout float shares many similarities with a trowel, the bottom of the float is actually made of rubber to help disperse the grout evenly. Its also worth investing in a tile sponge at the same time to clean away any excess grout that may be left on your tiles after youve finished grouting.
The last thing to do is make sure you have all your tools to hand before you start tiling. And, if by any chance, you have forgotten anything you can always visit our Fixing & Finishing section of our website and order the missing items for next day delivery. We even offer the option of spreading your payments using Klarna if you prefer.
Watch our video
Tile Warehouse has teamed up with YouTuber Proper DIY to create this video to run through the tiling tools and accessories that you will need when tiling the floors and walls at home.
Need more information?
If you have any questions regarding selecting tiling walls at home, then feel free to contact our Customer Services team using our web chat facility.
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