Achieving a professional finish on a tiling project requires experience, an eye for design, careful planning and of course, the best tiling tools for the job. From initial measuring and preparation of the area through to laying the tiles, grouting and finishing, choosing the right tools will ensure an efficient, high-quality job every time.
As wholesale suppliers of tiling supplies, we know which products are the most popular tiling tools with tilers across the UK and Ireland. Whether you are a hardware shop looking to expand your range of tiling tools and accessories or a tiler looking to improve your efficiency, we hope the following checklist will be useful.
The best tiling tools checklist
1. Knee Pads
2. Tiling sandals
3. A sponge
4. A knife
5. A Spirit Level
6. A tape measure
7. A pencil
8. A rubber mallet
9. Wooden batons
10. Levelling kit/spacers
11. Trowels
12. Buckets
13. Tile cutter
14. Mixer
15. Tile nippers
16. An electric tile saw
17. Diamond blades
18. Drill bits
19. A grout float
20. A grout scraper
1. Knee pads
Knee pads are an essential item for every tiler, as they will provide both protection from injury and improved comfort. Professional knee pads will be anti-slip, waterproof and be designed for quick and easy adjustment.
2. Tiling sandals
Tiling sandals are ideal for larger tiling projects which will require you to walk over adhesive, with adjustable straps and removable spikes these are a handy item to have in your kit.
3. A sponge
A great sponge will help you to clean the surface and achieve a professional finish, so that grout and adhesive are completely removed from the tile surface. Look for a dense, highly absorbent, heavy duty sponge which will help you to remove stubborn grout easily.
4. A knife
A trusty retractable knife will come in useful when cutting tape, silicone nozzles and when opening bags. We recommend choosing a knife with an ergonomic handle for comfort and a blade which is easy to change.
5. A spirit level
One of the most important aspects of professional tiling is being able to create straight tile lines, which makes a spirit level an essential tiling tool. A spirit level will help you to keep both vertical and horizontal lines, so that you do not rely on existing features as a guide. If you find that the surface is very uneven, you may need to use a tile backer board or self-levelling floor screed.
6. A tape measure
A tape measure should be a staple item in every tiler’s toolbox, as having accurate measurements is crucial if you want a professional finish. The best tape measures have clear markings and should be long enough to stretch across the full area to be tiled.
7. A builder’s pencil
No professional tiler should be without a builder’s pencil, which will make it easy to make temporary markings on surfaces such as porcelain and ceramic. Whether you need to mark out starting points on the surface ready to be tiled or lines for cutting the tiles themselves, a pencil will keep you on track.
8. A rubber mallet
A rubber mallet will help you to achieve a perfectly level surface, with gentle knocks ideal for levelling larger tiles without causing any damage.
9. Wooden batons
If you are tiling walls, wooden batons will be a useful addition to your kit. They can be temporarily screwed to the surface of the tiles to provide support while the adhesive sets. The wooden baton can also act as a starting guide, so that your tile lines stay on track. Ideally, the baton should be able to run the full length of the wall.
10. Levelling kit/Spacers
The LevTec levelling kit is a patented system designed to create perfectly level surfaces and consistent grout joints. The system is designed for use with tile thicknesses of between 3 and 12mm, with 1.5mm spacers, wedges and pliers used to create a flawless finish. Alternatively, plastic spacers can be used to ensure a uniform distance is achieved between tiles
11. Trowels
To achieve a smooth surface with the required amount of adhesive, you will need a range of professional trowels. A notched trowel will create grooves in the adhesive layer to improve suction, whilst also letting you know that the adhesive is mixed to the correct consistency. In general, square notched trowels are used within floor tiling, whereas curved notches are ideal for wall tiling where a thinner bed is required.
12. Buckets
Buckets are useful items for every tiler, from mixing grout and adhesives through to cleaning the tiles, it is essential to have a stock of clean buckets available. Look for a stackable, strong bucket which is at least 10 litres in size.
13. Tile cutter
Almost every tiling project will require a tile cutter, so that you can cut tiles to fit the space, and to achieve a high-quality finish around door frames and other awkward areas. Manual tile cutters are designed to cut porcelain and ceramic tiles with ease, and there are a variety of models available to suit specific requirements. These are easy to use, lightweight machines which are ideal for many cuts, however for harder tiles such as natural stone you are likely to need an electric tile saw.
14. A mixer
An electric mixer will ensure you are able to quickly prepare adhesives and grout to a perfect consistency, especially if you are want to achieve a professional, long-lasting finish. There are a range of powerful mixers available with varying speeds and heavy-duty paddles which are designed for multiple applications.
15. Tile nippers
Tile nippers are handheld tools which are great for making small cuts to tiles in a controlled and precise way. If you need to cut around a pipe, light switch or door frame, a tile nipper will be the ideal tool. There are a range of tile nippers available which are designed to cut through every type of tile.
16. An electric tile saw
Electric tile saws are designed for making both straight and angled cuts to ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and glass. These machines are often favoured by professional tilers when compared to manual tile cutters, as they will typically provide a smooth and precise cutting line. The diamond blade is powered by an electric motor which is kept cool with water, so they are often used outside or with protective sheets indoors.
17. Diamond blades
There are a variety of diamond blades available to suit every potential application, such as dry or wet cutting and varying surface thicknesses. These blades feature a strong steel centre which is edged with diamonds, to ensure you can cut through everything from stone and concrete to porcelain and ceramic tiles with ease.
18. Drill bits
Drill bits are important for every tiler, with diamond drill bits the popular choice for those looking to make a clean and precise hole without damaging the tile. It is likely you will need to drill holes for pipes and cables, with drill bits available in a variety of dimension to suit your task.
19. A grout float
A grout float will help you to evenly spread the grout between tiles, without scratching the tiled surface. The best grout floats are flexible enough to ensure complete coverage between tiles and also easy to clean.
20. A grout scraper
The best grout scrapers are strong enough to remove tough grout, with comfortable handles and a pointed blade that can be easily replaced.
As tiling professionals, we know how important it is for every tiler to have the best tools for the job, which is why we stock a range of tiling tools and accessories that are handpicked by our knowledgeable team based on their quality and price.
Our products are available on trade basis only through our network of retailers, wholesalers, builder’s merchants and online retailers, throughout the UK and Ireland. To find out more about stocking any of the items in the Quantum range or to find your nearest supplier, please contact the team on +44 (0) 28 7131 2064 or email the team at [email protected].