When you want to renovate your home’s interior, such as your walls or ceiling, you may want to call a plasterer. They are home experts who handle plaster or decorative moldings to improve a house’s appearance.
If you want to take a shot at handling plastering on your own, you must take great care in choosing the materials and equipment you work with. That’s because horrendous equipment can negatively affect your work, therefore wasting your time and money.
With that said, if you’re new to plastering and don’t know what equipment to acquire, you may want to start with a trowel. Below are a few tips for homeowners on selecting a suitable trowel for your upcoming plastering jobs.
1. Remember That the Trowel Size Matters
As an aspiring DIY plasterer, you need to select a trowel that fits in your hand and accommodates your needs. While on this topic, you should also consider the size of your tool since it can affect your work efficiency and quality.
Now, the regular trowel comes in 11 inches, but some options in the market are 13 inches or longer. Keep in mind that shorter trowels allow you to get closer to the wall when you’re plastering. They are also perfect for amateur plasterers.
On the other hand, longer trowels offer better control and efficiency. However, they require great technique when using them, so you may want to hold off on buying longer trowels if you’re only a beginner.
2. Don’t Forget the Blade Material and Shape
Much like the size of the trowel, the blade material and shape are also important, particularly if you’re working with high-end materials like plaster and clay. A light, rigid blade with a high level of flexibility is a great choice for these materials.
You should note that the type of blade you get can make certain materials easier or more challenging to work with. For example, if you’re handling slippery materials, you should avoid steel blades. However, if you’re focusing on interior plaster and stucco, a rectangular steel trowel is the best choice.
Additionally, plasterers who regularly work with Venetian plastering suggest trapezoidal steel trowels. The rounded corners will leave no lines on the wall, and the steel blade makes it easy to handle Venetian plastering material.
3. Test the Handle’s Comfort and Grip
The trowel’s handle can determine how comfortable you feel while working on your home renovation project. You don’t want to struggle since this will affect the quality of your work.
The best trowels have wooden handles slightly longer than regular trowels. These handles provide much-needed leverage, helping you avoid excessive strain when working with heavy materials.
Plasterers also recommend trowels with extra-long handles to folks with noticeably long arms. Plus, the extra handle length can give them more control and improve their overall efficiency and quality.
4. Always Consider the Trowel’s Durability
Durability is another crucial factor to consider when selecting a trowel. It’s worth noting that it doesn’t only depend on the material used to create the tool. The blade’s strength, flexibility, and construction are also worth considering.
You can get the best trowel durability only if the manufacturer uses high-quality materials, which are typically lighter and more flexible.
When shopping for your own trowel, you should always take time to check reviews from different pages. Reading other people’s experiences with the tool can get you insight into the trowel’s quality, helping you save money by discovering which ones are worth purchasing.
5. Consult with the Professionals
Last but not least, you may want to consult with the professionals who know their trowels best. That way, you can get additional advice about the right tools and techniques, which can be helpful, especially if you don’t know much about plastering.
Conclusion
If you’re buying a trowel for a DIY project, you may want to consider the benefits of working with an actual plasterer instead. Professional plasterers have access to high-quality materials and have years of experience working with plaster, ensuring they can get the job done right the first time around.
One Stop Plastering offers various plastering services, including interior plaster and stucco and Venetian plastering in the Northern San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, we have over sixty years of experience working with residential and commercial plastering. Contact us today for a free bid!
