Tiling tools: the basic kit for tilers
Laying tiles neatly takes skill and the right tools. Good tools save rework, reduce waste and give you an even joint pattern. Here you will find the basic tool kit for tilers and DIYers, sorted by work step, and what to look for when buying.
1. Measuring and marking
- Spirit level and straightedge: to check flatness and plumb before and during laying.
- Folding rule or tape measure, pencil and square: for cutting dimensions and right-angled lines.
- Line laser or chalk line: for the first row and straight lines on large areas.
- Drilling template: For toilet connections, the Nivilli Schablony makes marking the drill holes easier.
2. Cutting and drilling
- Manual tile cutter: for straight cuts, fast and dust-free.
- Angle grinder with diamond cutting disc: for cut-outs, L-cuts and adjustments. Thin discs such as the Nivilli Blacky and Nivilli Whitey are suitable for tiles.
- Wet tile saw: worthwhile for many cuts and hard slabs.
- Diamond core bits: for holes for sockets, pipes and fittings.
More on this: Cutting tiles: methods, tools and tips and Diamond cutting discs: safety, use and sharpening.
3. Mixing and applying adhesive
- Mixer with a suitable paddle: for lump-free tile adhesive.
- Mortar bucket and smoothing trowel.
- Notched trowels in several sizes: The right notch size depends on the tile format, the substrate and the adhesive manufacturer's instructions.
4. Laying and aligning
- Rubber mallet: for tapping tiles into place in a controlled way.
- Tile spacers: for even joint widths, for example the U-shaped Nivilli Spacer for walls or the Nivilli Multi-Spacer 4in1 for 1 to 3 mm. A comparison is in our guide Tile spacers: U-shape or multi-spacer?
- Tile leveling system: helps to avoid lippage, especially with large-format tiles. With the Nivilli Spinny, you turn the cap tight by hand, without pliers. The caps are reusable; usually only the leveling tabs need to be reordered.
5. Grouting and cleaning
- Grout float or rubber float: to work in and compact the grout.
- Sponge float and wash bucket: for washing off and clean joint edges.
- Joint scraper: to clean the joints before grouting.
6. Protective equipment
- Knee pads: floor work means hours on your knees.
- Safety goggles and hearing protection when cutting.
- Respiratory protection when dry cutting (at least FFP2, FFP3 without extraction), as this produces silica dust.
- Gloves when handling adhesive and grout.
What to look for when buying
- Material: Tools that come into contact with adhesive and water every day should be sturdy and easy to clean.
- Fit: Cutting discs must match the machine in diameter and bore, and their permitted maximum speed must be at least as high as the machine's idle speed.
- Consumables: With leveling systems, it pays to look at follow-up costs. Reusable parts lower the cost per square metre.
- Reordering: Are consumables available individually or in larger packs? That saves money on big projects.
Frequently asked questions
What tools do you need at minimum for tiling?
For a small project, a spirit level, folding rule, tile cutter, notched trowel, rubber mallet, tile spacers, grout float and sponge are enough. For cut-outs you add an angle grinder with a diamond cutting disc, and a mixer for the adhesive.
Is a leveling system worthwhile for DIYers?
For large-format tiles, yes. The larger the tile, the harder it is to avoid lippage by hand. A leveling system keeps the edges at one height while the adhesive sets. More on this in our guide Wedge or screw.