drywall knife versus trowel

[SDtoolgirl]

I have a new project that is installing glass tile on a ceiling. I am more comfortable with a drywall knife than a trowel, especially overhead. Any reason not to use it instead of the flat side of the trowel for the skimming layer(uniform coat for consistency of color, white, behind glass tile)?

I will be using the v- notch for the combing portion and flatten slightly with the trowel. It just made me wonder why drywallers use knives and tile installations trowels?

thanks-
SDToolgirl

 

[W-Cummins]

Putting up the mortar with the notched trowel is the way to go. Flatting it down is kinda defeating the purpose of the notched trowel..... BTW wear a hat tiling over head is rather messy....

 

[SDtoolgirl]

I understand the combing is for creating a vacuum on the back side of the tiles, but with glass being transparent, you need to put a skimming layer before the combing layer to eliminate the possible effects of "striping" first.

thanks for the tip on the hat. I hadn't thought of that one!

 

[W-Cummins]

I understand the combing is for creating a vacuum on the back side of the tiles, but with glass being transparent, you need to put a skimming layer before the combing layer to eliminate the possible effects of "striping" first.

thanks for the tip on the hat. I hadn't thought of that one!

I don't know about the vacuum deal but it does apply the correct amount of mortar up there and allows the air to escape with you press them "up" in this case. You could always skim coat or back butter the tiles to achieve the uniform look before you put them up. Yep the hat it a must I did my shower ceiling and used epoxy grout, it once setup, doesn't wash out.....

William...