What are the best tools for tiling when you’re a professional?

The saying might have it that only a poor workman blames his tools – but not having the right tools for tiling can turn an easy job into an expensive mess.

We’ve taken a look at the best tiling tools to pick up for anyone wanting to become a tiler or start a tiling business.

Get the lowdown on the tools you need for tiling, from mixing mortar to neatly laying out tiles and giving the whole job a professional finish.

What are the best tools for tiling?

By choosing the right tools, you can be more efficient – meaning you have more time on a job, and your customer gets a great end result.

But deciding the tools needed for tiling can be tricky.

There are lots of nice-to-haves in the tiling world, but we think these are the essential tiling tools you need in your kit.

Tiling tools for making perfect measurements

Before you start, getting the basics right is essential. Measuring and marking is the first step in a tiling job.

If you’re just starting out and wondering how to become a tiler, there are other steps to consider before you start building your kit.

Here are some of the essentials:

Tape measure

Accurate measurements are the difference between a well-completed project and a shoddy job.

Before you start laying tiles, you need to measure up. If your measurements are wrong, your tile cutting will be too.

Make sure you get it right, for example with a heavy-duty tape measure with clear markings.

Pencil

It might sound basic, but a simple pencil is an essential tool for tiling. Whether you’re marking measurements, starting points, or mapping out your tile layout you’ll need a pencil.

Chinagraph pencils are also great for marking glossy surfaces like porcelain or glazed ceramics.

Spirit level

Whether you’re tiling floors or walls, a spirit level is essential.

Using one makes sure that you’ll get even, straight lines every time, and ensuring that all tiles are perfectly level.

If you’re working with an uneven floor, you might need to use more adhesive or backer boards, so it’s important to check.

The best tools for laying mortar and grouting

Mixing and laying mortar and grouting tiles once they’re laid is a huge part of any tiling job.

We all know that mortar is messy stuff, so make sure you have the best tools for tiling floors and walls to make your life easier.

Notched trowel

One of the most helpful tools for spreading mortar and adhesive, a notched trowel is one of the essential tools for tiling.

From scooping to spreading, a notched trowel is used for a wide variety of tasks.

The different-shaped notches allow you to spread stripes of mortar in the right depth to grip the tile efficiently. The stainless steel notched trowel from Selco will see you through plenty of tough jobs.

Grout float

A grout float is used to apply and press the grout into the gaps between tiles, and scrape it level with the tile.

With a firm handle, it resembles a masonry trowel, but has a flat rubber base to prevent damaging the tiles.

Rubber buckets

You’ll need plenty of buckets on hand, for everything from mixing mortar to rinsing out spongers. Having a large bucket for clean water will help you to keep your sponges clean to ensure a perfect finish.

Rubber buckets specifically are great tools for tilers, as they’re much easier to clean than plastic buckets.

Electric mixer / mixing paddle

A good mixer is essential for thoroughly mixing grout and thinset into a smooth consistency.

Mixing by hand can leave unmixed dry sections, messing up your final finish – not to mention, it takes much longer.

You can get a mixing paddle that fits onto an electric drill, or invest in a dedicated electric mixer. We think the 1400W Power Mixer from Selco is a great pick, with controllable speed that’s lockable for ease.

Tiling tools you need for cutting, spacing, and shaping tiles

Of course, the tiles are the focus of your work – and having the right tiling tools helps you to get the best end result.

Here are the essential tools you’ll need for cutting, shaping, and scoring tiles.

Tile nippers

Sometimes also called nibblers or tile snips, tile nippers look a bit like pliers.

They create small cuts in a tile, often irregular shapes like semi-circles or corners that a normal tile cutter couldn’t manage. They’re ideal for when you need to fit a tile into very specific gaps, or need to cut a tile to fit around pipes or fixtures and fittings.

Tile spacers

Tile spacers, as the name suggests, help you to perfectly space out your tiles to make sure that your final result is completely straight.

Spacers are usually small plastic crosses, that come in a range of sizes for all sorts of tiling jobs. You can also get wedges and bases for levelling floor tiles.

Tile cutter / tile snapper / rail cutter

This bit of kit has a few different names, but the end result is the same: neat, straight edges on tiles.

This tool does this by snapping a tile cleanly along a scored line.

Many tile snappers also have a scoring blade or wheel, made from a very hard substance like tungsten carbide or steel. This is used to score the tile before being snapped.

Take a look at this Tile Rite 600m Manual Tile Cutter from our partners at Selco.

Remember, you can get an exclusive discount as a Checkatrade member. Just log in to our Member’s Area to see how much you could save!

Tile scorer

You can also get tile scorers independent of a tile cutter – again, this helps you to get a clean break in a tile by scoring through the glaze to get a clean break.

If you’re scoring and snapping tiles by hand, then a good tile-scoring tool is essential.

Finishing tools that get the job done

When your tiles are all neatly laid, getting a pristine finish is what sets you apart from competitors. Here are some of the best tiling tools for finishing your project and getting a professional end result.

Rubber mallet

Need to tap a tile into place? A hammer wrapped in fabric isn’t going to give you the result you need, and you might snap a tile while you’re at it.

A rubber mallet is an essential tool to make sure you’re not damaging your tiles.

Sponges

Not the most complex of tiling tools, but sponges are essential for wiping away mortar and grouting to get that perfect finish on your jobs.

Invest in a good-quality dual-purpose sponge for cleaning tiles before and after grouting.

Become a Checkatrade member and save on the best tools

Here at Checkatrade, we know it’s important to invest in your business – and that includes your tools. That’s why our members can benefit from exclusive rates on tools from Selco.

Whether you’re after a new bit of kit or looking to replace your tired-out, tried-and-trusted tools, we can help.

Alternatively, if you’re just starting out then our exclusive discounts can help you to save money on essential tiling supplies. For example, members can also enjoy a discount at Plumbworld on tiles and tiling supplies. 

Of course, there are more benefits to joining Checkatrade.

We’ll help you develop your business, get more leads, and make great savings on your work supplies to help your tiling business to flourish.

Content disclaimer: This content has been created for general information purposes and should not be taken as formal advice. Read our full disclaimer here.