TILING TALK

EXPERT HANDS REQUIRES EXPERT TOOLS

Tiling is a job that takes accuracy and precision. It takes a superior level of skill and expertise but It’s also one of those jobs where, the old adage is true where a tradesperson is only as good as the tools he uses.

Whether tiling a kitchen or a bathroom, it’s vital that you have the right tools to complete the task to a high standard and to also get the job done quickly as time is money.

Given the wide-ranging tiling equipment and supplies available in today’s market, it can be daunting to know what the absolute musthaves are. Steven Davidson from U-PRO, a UK trade supplies retailer, provides his top three recommendations for tiling tools that will help you get a finish that’s a cut above:

Whether tiling a kitchen or a bathroom, it’s vital that you have the right tools to complete the task to a high standard and to also get the job done quickly as time is money.

1) TILE CUTTER - this is probably one of the most important tools for tiling a kitchen or bathroom. Many rooms are not perfectly square or symmetrical and require tiles to be customised to fit a specific space. This is not just within the room itself but also around door frames, sinks, toilets and edges. An electric tile cutter such as the RUBI ND-200 is ideal for working in small spaces and is light enough to be transported to every job.

2) TILING TROWEL - the right type of trowel is an essential part of any tiling job to ensure a smooth, even distribution of the tile adhesive that’s used to keep the tiles in place on a floor or wall. The trowel design and size will depend on the size of tile that you are laying. Notched trowels, like the RUBI 10mm square notch tiling trowel, are particularly useful because they create grooves in that help to distribute the adhesive consistently under the tile.

3) TILE SPACERS - spacers are such a simple but vital tool for any tiler. And yet, many professionals rely on cheap spacers to do the job, which can then translate into uneven gaps and crooked tiles. When choosing spacers, you must ensure they’re robust and sturdy. The RUBI floor tile spacers, for example, have a hollow structure with internal reinforcements which allows the spacers to support tension on tiles and enables the spacers to be left in the joint and over grouted.

For more tiling tools and materials:

www.u-pro.co.uk