Grout Floats
Grout Floats for Smooth Tile Finishing
A grout float is a tool used to apply grout to a tile surface. It is used to fill the spaces between tiles with grout and then remove the excess before the grout dries. If you don't get the proper float, you'll have uneven joints, air pockets, or grout smeared across the tiles that will be twice as difficult to clean.
The job looks simple from the outside. Just press the float at an angle, grout diagonally across the joints, and keep the float flat to clean the surface. However, the tool you have in your hand alters the amount of control you have over that process. A grout float that is not the right hardness or size will work against you, and it will show up in the final line of the grout joint.
Types of Grout Floats and Their Uses
Not all jobs require the same float. Most residential and commercial tile installations are done with standard rubber grout floats, available in a variety of sizes to fit different joint widths and tile sizes. Margin floats are smaller and narrower, designed to fit in tight spaces where a full-size float will not fit. Sponge floats are used when cleaning up to remove haze from the tile face without pulling grout back out of the joints. Epoxy floats are a whole different game. The epoxy grout sets quickly and hardens to a higher strength than cement-based grout and is made of a harder, more chemically resistant rubber that will not break down in the middle of the job.
Rubber and foam floats aren't interchangeable, either. Rubber floats provide better control and durability for repeated use on large floors. Foam floats are lighter, softer, and more suitable for sanded grout on more delicate or textured tile surfaces, where a firmer rubber edge may scratch the finish. The choice between them depends on the grout type and the tile you are grouting. Not all tiles will float the same way on natural stone or glass mosaics as they do on porcelain, because a soft touch is required to prevent staining or scuffing on porous or polished surfaces.
How to Use and Maintain Grout Floats
Fill the float with grout and pass at 45° across the joints. After packing, tilt the float towards the 90° position and drag it across the tile to remove the excess packing material. When wiping, wait until the grout is just set enough to wipe up with a damp sponge, or you will pull the grout back out of the joints and have to re-grout sections.
Time and pressure are the most frequent mistakes. If you grout too much at one time, the first area will set before you have time to clean it. Over-packing causes grout to be pushed out of the joint. If you skip the clean-up, dried grout accumulates on the float face, altering its fit against the tile on your next job. Rinse off the float after each use and inspect the rubber edge for wear. Once it's cracked or rounded off, replace it. No matter how careful you are, a worn edge will not keep a straight line.
Tool Academy for Tiling Professionals
Since 1989, Tool Academy has supplied contractors and tile setters with professional tools, and our selection of grout floats is based on what is demanded on the job site. You will find here trusted brands such as Troxell, Marshalltown, Sigma, Raimondi, and QEP. With years of experience, our team is ready to help you match the right float to the job.
