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#15687 - 03/29/10 01:48 PM Ditra Trowel SIze
KG14 Offline
Member

Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Ontario
I'm finally towards the end of this second bathroom mad

Schluter has two sizes listed on there site for putting the Ditra Down.

1/4" x 3/16"

5/16" x 5/16"

What size do I buy???

http://www.schluter.com/5793.aspx

1/4" x 3/8" 1/4" is Normal for setting a 13x13 tile right

Thank you

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#15688 - 03/29/10 07:38 PM Re: Ditra Trowel SIze [Re: KG14]
RC Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 10/21/03
Posts: 1797
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Either one.
1st one is the square notch trowel. 2nd one is the v-notch trowel.

Depends on how flat the tile substrate is and how much of a lug pattern there is on the back of the tile.

You could start with that size and if you don't get 80% or better coverage then you need a bigger notch trowel.
Some people will jump right to a 1/2" sq notch trowel for anything over 12x12.
_________________________
Randall

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#15689 - 03/29/10 08:31 PM Re: Ditra Trowel SIze [Re: RC]
KG14 Offline
Member

Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Ontario
I could not find a "5/16" Trowel or even a "1/4-3/16-1/4"

Not from the $4.00 Bin or the $15.00 ones

I went to Home Depot & Rona,Millwork and home hardware

The only place I didn't try was Lowe's

I was lost so I thought I would come back home and get more info.

I did see some

1/2-1/2-1/2

1/4-1/4-1/4

The Notch size really did look like it would give a nice notch size in the thin-set for the Ditra to Grab.

But I really wasn't sure

The only thing I bought today was

1,1/4" x 3/8"
2,1/8" Spacers
3,Grout float

Mr Randall

What size do you use when doing Ditra installs yourself

The Subfloor is Plywood and area is 30sq

Tile 13x13 Porcelain tile

Thank you again smile


Edited by KG14 (03/29/10 08:43 PM)

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#15690 - 03/29/10 10:11 PM Re: Ditra Trowel SIze [Re: KG14]
Kman Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/07/06
Posts: 854
Loc: Pea Ridge, Arkansas
I think the Ditra trowel is 11/64 square, which is a little under 1/4". If you can't find a 3/16" v-notch somewhere, use a 1/4x1/4x1/4, and hold it a little closer to the floor while you comb out the thinset. This will get you pretty close to spec. I would rather have a little extra than not enough.
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The top ten reasons to procrastinate:
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#15692 - 03/30/10 10:19 AM Re: Ditra Trowel SIze [Re: Kman]
KG14 Offline
Member

Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Ontario
Thank you

I'm going to call and find out what a 11/64 Trowel will cost From schluter and just be done with it.

I might also now buy a 1/4x/1/4 like you listed my friend

I have looked everywhere for a 5/16 or 1/4x3/16/1/4 on the net and can't find a thing.

Is 5/16 really 5/32 and Ditra have the wrong info

I have a 3/16x5/32

Homedepot doesn't show anything either

http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/store...tial&s=true


Edited by KG14 (03/30/10 10:21 AM)

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#15693 - 03/30/10 07:17 PM Re: Ditra Trowel SIze [Re: KG14]
Kman Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/07/06
Posts: 854
Loc: Pea Ridge, Arkansas
I think what you have is a little light.

I'd rather use too much thinset than not enough.
_________________________
The top ten reasons to procrastinate:
1.

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#15694 - 03/30/10 11:12 PM Re: Ditra Trowel SIze [Re: Kman]
J&D Tile Offline
Member

Registered: 03/15/10
Posts: 73
Loc: London, ON
The Ditra trowel will cost you around $30.00. It's a nice Rubi trowel that I use quite often. The notch is a great size for a lot of applications (mosaics on a shower base, Fiberock installs, etc.) I have both the Ditra and Kerdi trowels and love them both.

You may be able to find a Rubi dealer that could get you the same notch at a lower cost (without the Schluter name), but that just seemed like to much effort for me. I just paid the $30.00 per trowel for the peace of mind that if I ever have to call Schluter about a warranty issue and they ask what notch I used, I would be able to answer "your notch".
_________________________
J&D Tile

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#15695 - 03/31/10 12:13 AM Re: Ditra Trowel SIze [Re: J&D Tile]
KG14 Offline
Member

Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Ontario
Would you have a website for Rubi,so I can look up Dealer locater.

All I seem to find is ebay auctions for trowels

I'm in Toronto so one shop carry them

I ordered a Ditra trowel from Home hardware for $29

My thinking is,if they made this trowel to work with there product to make sure you install it 100% correct

maybe it's wise to spend the money.

Marshmellow trowels want $26 for a 1/4-3/16 but I can't find anyone around me that carrys them.

I need to still find out if a 1/4"x3/8"x1/4" is the Correct size for 13x13 Unicom Starker Porcelain tile

Seeing as the company is Italian I can't ask them what trowel size I need.

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#15696 - 03/31/10 07:06 AM Re: Ditra Trowel SIze [Re: KG14]
Kman Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/07/06
Posts: 854
Loc: Pea Ridge, Arkansas
That's the one I would use for 13x13 tiles.
_________________________
The top ten reasons to procrastinate:
1.

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#15697 - 03/31/10 07:08 AM Re: Ditra Trowel SIze [Re: KG14]
RC Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 10/21/03
Posts: 1797
Loc: Ontario, Canada
KG14, as I said before, the trowel size depends on substrate and your tile back. Is the floor perfectly flat? Is the tile slightly cupped?

Trowel size is not solely determined by the size of the tile.

You may need to buy a couple of trowel sizes to finally get the one that gives you the proper coverage.

Like J&D I have the specific Schluter trowel sizes (Marshaltown)for installing Kerdi and Ditra. All my other trowels are choosen based on my first statement above.
Schluter trowels are mainly for installing their products only, not for actually installing tile.
_________________________
Randall

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