If you’re taking on a construction or home improvement project, you may need a trowel. But with different types available, it can be confusing to know which is best for the job. Trowels generally fall into two main categories – drywall trowels and concrete trowels.
While they may look similar at first glance, they are designed for very different purposes.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the key differences between drywall trowels and concrete trowels. You’ll learn how they vary in terms of size, shape, material, and intended use.
With the right information, you can select the proper trowel for your specific needs and avoid potential headaches from using the wrong tool.
A Brief Comparison Table
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s summarize the key differences between drywall trowels and concrete trowels:
| Comparison | Drywall Trowel | Concrete Trowel |
| Blade material | Stainless steel | Carbon steel or high carbon steel |
| Blade thickness | Thin, flexible | Thick, rigid |
| Blade shape | Rectangular | Rectangular or curved edge |
| Typical handle length | 6″ – 18″ | 18″ – 36″ |
| Primary use | Applying joint compound and texturing drywall | Spreading, floating, and smoothing concrete |
| Best for | Detail work on drywall seams and corners | Large concrete slabs and surfaces |
The thinner, flexible blade of a drywall trowel allows smooth feathering and finishing of joint compound. Drywall requires a delicate touch so as not to gouge the paper surface.
Concrete trowels need to stand up to heavyweight use on thick concrete. The rigid blade resists warping from pressure and maintains a flat surface. The longer handle provides two-handed leverage over large areas.
Using the wrong trowel will hamper results. A drywall trowel will bend and fail if applied to concrete. A rigid concrete trowel will damage drywall and tear paper facing. Selecting the appropriate tool for each material is essential.
What Is A Drywall Trowel?
A drywall trowel is a tool specially designed for installing and finishing drywall.
Drywall, also known as wallboard or plasterboard, consists of a layer of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper.
It’s used to make interior walls and ceilings.
Installing drywall is a multi-step process. After panels are mounted to the wall studs or ceiling joists, the seams between panels must be finished.
This involves embedding joint tape into seam joint compound and smoothing the compound out to create a seamless surface.
Drywall trowels are vital for applying, spreading, and smoothing the joint compound.
Drywall trowels feature a flexible, rectangular stainless steel blade. The flexibility helps the trowel glide smoothly and cleanly over the wallboard surface. The blade is mounted to a handle ranging from around 6 inches to 18 inches long.
Short-handled trowels provide control for detail work, while longer handles allow wider swaths of coverage.
Here are some common types and features of drywall trowels:
- Finishing trowel – A finishing trowel has a flexible, rectangular blade ideal for smoothing and feathering joint compound. The blade may be rounded at the corners for a seamless finish.
- Notched spreader – This trowel has notches or teeth along one edge of the blade. The notches help spread joint compound quickly and evenly over seams and patches.
- Margin trowel – A margin trowel has a small, narrow blade for precise application in corners and tight spaces.
- Curved blade – Some trowels have a blade that curves inwards. This aids in scooping and applying joint compound.
- Ergonomic grip – Many trowels feature a handle with a gel or rubber grip for comfort during prolonged use. The handle may also have finger grooves.
In addition to installation, drywall trowels are used for texturing walls and ceilings prior to painting. The blade can apply and manipulate various textures like knockdown, orange peel, or skip trowel.
What Is A Concrete Trowel?
A concrete trowel is a tool specially designed for working with wet concrete. Concrete is a mixture of Portland cement, aggregate materials like sand and gravel, and water. It’s poured into forms to create structures like foundations, floors, and walkways.
Concrete trowels are essential for proper finishing and smoothing of concrete surfaces. They are used at several stages of the concrete finishing process:
- Spreading – After concrete is poured, a trowel is used to spread it evenly and work out imperfections. This initial troweling levels and consolidates the concrete.
- Floating – Next, a concrete trowel is lightly run over the surface to embed large aggregates and create an even, uniform appearance. This step is called floating.
- Smoothing – In the final troweling steps, the concrete surface is carefully smoothed out to the desired flatness and texture. Successive trowel passes make the concrete denser and stronger.
- Edging – For slabs and sidewalks, a trowel is used to create rounded edges along the perimeters.
Concrete trowels feature a flat, rectangular steel blade much thicker and more rigid than a drywall trowel blade. The inflexibility allows the concrete trowel to ride evenly over the concrete without gouging. Handles range from 18 inches up to 36 inches to allow finishing of large surface areas.
Here are some common types and features of concrete trowels:
- Hand trowel – A basic hand trowel has a blade around 4″ x 12″. It’s suitable for small-scale concrete work.
- Edger – An edger has a blade curved at 90 degrees to form crisp edges and borders.
- Margin trowel – Like its drywall counterpart, a concrete margin trowel has a small blade for detailed work in tight areas.
- Float trowel – A rectangular float trowel is ideal for smoothing large slabs prior to final finish troweling.
- Hardened-steel blade – The blade will maintain its flatness to deliver a flat surface, even with heavy pressure.
- Urethane bumpers – Bumpers on the heel of the blade prevent scratching or gouging of the wet concrete surface.
Can You Use a Trowel for Drywall?
Drywall trowels are purpose-built for installing and finishing drywall. As discussed above, the flexible stainless steel blade allows you to apply joint compound and textures in a controlled manner without damaging the fragile drywall paper surface.
However, not just any trowel will get the job done. Avoid using brick or tile trowels on drywall. While they may look similar, their thicker steel blades are designed for durability on those tougher materials. They lack the flex and control you need for high-quality drywall outcomes.
A quality drywall trowel suitable for the scale of your project provides the following advantages:
- Flexes to smooth joint compound evenly without gouging
- Spreads compound quickly over joints, especially with notched edge models
- Lightweight for extended overhead use
- Maneuverable in corners and tight spaces
- Available in multiple sizes to suit different stages
- Provides professional quality results
The bottom line is that while you could technically use any kind of trowel to install or texture drywall in a pinch, a purpose-built drywall trowel will enable you to work faster with better results. Don’t compromise on the key tool designed for the materials at hand.
What Is The Best Trowel For Taping Drywall?
Joint taping is a critical step in finishing drywall to create invisible, durable seams between panels. For this task, a notched spreader trowel is the best choice.
The notched edge allows quick, even application of joint compound over the tape. The notches spread the compound smoothly while keeping it from getting under the tape. A 6″ or 8″ notched spreader makes fast work of embedding tape without air pockets or excess compound.
The smooth side can then flatten the tape and feather out the edges.
A high quality notched spreader offers these advantages for drywall taping:
- Notches prevent air pockets under tape
- Allows fast, uniform application of compound over tape
- Thin, flexible blade for control on fragile drywall
- Stainless steel resists corrosion from compound -ideal 6” or 8” size for most tape joints
- Comfortable grip eases hand fatigue
While you could use a standard finishing trowel, the notched spreader helps embed tape in one efficient motion. For long taping jobs, a proper notched trowel can provide significant time savings while ensuring straight, smooth seams. Choosing the right specialty tool for taping makes an arduous task quicker with professional-looking results.
What Kind of Trowel is Used for Concrete?
Concrete trowels are specially designed for the demands of working with concrete. The characteristics optimal for concrete finishing include:
- A rigid, tempered steel blade maintains a flat surface under pressure
- A thickness of at least 3/16” to withstand concrete without warping
- A length of 18” or greater provides leverage for large surface areas
- A handle long enough for two-handed operation
- A durable composition that resists abrasion and impact
For professional concrete finishers, the ideal trowel depends on the phase of work:
- Initial spread – A square hand trowel like a 4”x12” model
- Floating – Rectangular float trowel, approximately 4”x18”
- Final trowel – A larger finisher trowel 6”x24” or greater
- Edging – Smaller edger with rounded profile
While margin trowels can sometimes substitute where larger trowels won’t fit, the standard rectangular finisher is the go-to for optimal concrete surface quality.
Keep in mind that trowels for tile, brick, or drywall lack the durability to withstand concrete. Using the wrong trowel can damage the tool and mar the concrete surface. Don’t skimp on buying high quality trowels engineered for concrete tasks.
Trowel Maintenance Tips
To keep drywall and concrete trowels performing at their best:
- Clean after each use. Drywall compound and concrete are abrasive and can damage the blade if left to dry on.
- Use a damp cloth or brush to wipe off residue. Avoid immersing in water.
- Store in a safe, dry place. Moisture causes rust.
- Concrete trowels should be hand-cleaned only. Avoid cleaning in acids or solvents.
- Periodically file or grind down nicks in the blade edge.
- Apply paste wax to the blade occasionally for protection. Buff off excess.
- Replace worn out or permanently damaged blades. The handle can often be reused.
- Hang up trowels or store flat to retain blade shape. Do not store upright.
Proper care extends the lifetime of quality trowels. Always check for wear and damage prior to use to ensure best performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The main differences between concrete trowels and drywall trowels are:
Blade material – Concrete trowels have a thick steel blade while drywall trowels have a thin, flexible stainless steel blade.
Rigidity – Concrete trowel blades are rigid to withstand pressure on concrete, while drywall trowels flex to avoid damaging drywall paper.
Handle length – Concrete trowels have handles 18″ or longer for two-handed use, and drywall trowels max out around 12″ for detail work.
Primary use – Concrete trowels are used for smoothing and finishing poured concrete. Drywall trowels apply and texture joint compound.
Resistance – Concrete trowel steel resists abrasion from concrete. Drywall trowels won’t gouge drywall.
You can use a trowel made for drywall to install and finish drywall. Look for a thin, flexible stainless steel blade around 6″ to 12″ long. Avoid brick, tile, or concrete trowels. Their thicker, stiffer blades can damage drywall. Always use a trowel designed for the material at hand.
A notched spreader drywall trowel, around 6 to 8 inches wide, is ideal for taping drywall. The notches evenly embed joint tape while spreading compound smoothly without air pockets under the tape. A high quality notched spreader prevents voids and excess buildup over the tape.
Rectangular steel trowels with rigid blades are required for concrete finishing. Standard sizes range from small 4″ x 12″ hand trowels to larger 18″ x 36″ floor trowels. Edger trowels create rounded edges. Look for a tempered steel blade at least 3/16″ thick that resists warping from concrete pressure. Avoid drywall, brick, or tile trowels lacking the durability for concrete.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re taping drywall or pouring concrete, having the right trowel makes the work quicker, easier, and higher quality. Don’t try to force a tool designed for a different material.
A quality trowel matched to the application helps avoid frustration and rework.
For drywall finishing, select from specialized trowels like notched spreaders, finishing trowels, and corner tools. Flexible stainless steel blades glide smoothly over the surface. Lengths around 6″ to 12” provide control.
Concrete demands a rigid, tempered steel trowel in larger sizes from 18” and up. The inflexibility keeps the edge flat under pressure from concrete. Durable construction stands up to the abrasion.
Now that you understand the differences, characteristics, and purposes of each type, you can confidently choose the right trowel. Well-selected tools make any construction or improvement project more efficient and successful from start to finish.
Matching the trowel design to the material at hand helps maximize results and minimize aggravation.
