Construction spatula – types and differences

A construction spatula is a useful instrument that is available in multiple varieties, each intended for distinct purposes in wall finishing and decoration. The quality of your work can be greatly improved by selecting the appropriate spatula, whether you’re applying plaster or filling in holes.

This post will examine the various kinds of construction spatulas that are on the market, their special qualities, and their intended applications. You can choose the ideal spatula for your project by being aware of these variations, which will guarantee a smoother and more effective application.

With blades that range from flexible to rigid, every spatula has a distinct function. You’ll be more prepared to complete your wall decoration projects with expertise if you become familiar with these tools.

Type	Description
Rectangular Spatula	Commonly used for applying and smoothing plaster and putty. The flat edge helps in even spreading.
Round Spatula	Ideal for working in tight or curved areas. Its shape helps in blending and smoothing edges.
Notched Spatula	Features teeth or notches that create grooves in adhesive for better bonding. Often used in tiling.
Flexible Spatula	Made of a more pliable material, useful for tasks requiring flexibility, like filling gaps or blending surfaces.
Hollow Spatula	Designed with a hollow center to reduce weight. Useful for long periods of use where a lighter tool is needed.

What is a spatula

A spatula, derived from the German word spatel, which means shovel, is a multipurpose plate with a handle.

It is employed in building and maintenance projects for:

• Cleaning old wallpaper (see. How to quickly remove old wallpaper of different types from walls), putty, paint.
• Applying mortar or cement.
• Puttying surfaces.
• Laying tiles.
• Grouting seams in tiles or brickwork.
• “Treating” minor defects on delicate surfaces (laminate, wallpaper, etc.).

Construction spatulas are classified into the following categories based on the kind of material used to make the tool:

The correct construction spatula selection is essential for attaining a polished and seamless wall decoration finish. This article examines the many kinds of spatulas that are out there, emphasizing their distinctive qualities and variations. Knowing these tools will help you make an informed choice and enhance the results of your decorating, from the flexible options perfect for delicate tasks to the sturdy ones suited for heavy-duty applications.

Types of spatulas

Though it’s used everywhere, the tool’s name implies that it’s primarily meant for puttying (see How to putty walls in different ways). The kind of spatula to use depends on the type of work that will be done; different spatulas are used at different stages. Let’s examine the primary categories of tools in more detail.

Facade spatula

This kind, which has greater strength, is intended for applying and leveling plaster and putty mixtures on large surfaces. The anodized steel used to make the stiff blade resists corrosion.

It is fixed in an additional aluminum profile that reduces the possibility of bending and deformation and boosts the tool’s dependability and durability.

An ergonomic and safe grip is offered by a two-part, soft plastic thermo rubber handle.

The blade width of facade spatulas ranges from 150 to 800 mm. The product is more expensive than its equivalents, but this is because of its higher quality and heavier workload.

Painting spatula

A paint spatula and a facade spatula differ in that the former has a handle that can be made of wood or rubber, and the blade is thinner, more flexible, and springy. The blade’s flexibility makes it simple to remove outdated paint or wallpaper (see. Apply the mixture to surfaces of any configuration with care and efficiency (see How to remove paint from walls: secrets of the masters).

During the final stages of finishing, such as putty application and leveling, sheathing sheet seam sealing, and small concrete wall repairs, a paint spatula is primarily utilized.

However, these spatulas have a much shorter service life under heavy use because of the thinner blade. Not all blades are made of stainless steel; occasionally, producers will use regular steel and coat it in a short-lived protective film, allowing the blade to rust. The working plate’s width ranges from 20 to 450 mm.

Notched spatula

Applying adhesives to surfaces is this type’s primary—and possibly exclusive—purpose. The blade’s teeth evenly distribute the glue, cut down on waste, and scrape off extra mixture, all of which guarantee consistent, robust material adhesion.

Depending on the kind of surfaces to be glued, the width and depth of the teeth are chosen separately.

Crucial! The spatula tooth increases in size with the facing material’s surface area.

The standard sizes of the spatula tooth height are as follows:

For instance, a large-toothed spatula should be used to glue plasterboard, gypsum fiber board, and OSB sheets. Large-toothed spatulas are better for laying ceramic tiles on smaller adhesive grooves. A small-toothed spatula should be used when working with carpet or linoleum.

Applying the mixture to both surfaces in opposite directions is an option if the standard tooth height proves insufficient and an increase in adhesive composition thickness is required.

Rubber spatula

The spatula is constructed from a single piece, so it lacks any joints or connections. It is composed of flexible, long-lasting rubber in a variety of sizes, shapes, and configurations. Because the working part is more flexible and thinner, you can apply the mixture to delicate surfaces like ceramic tiles, laminate, and wallpaper.

Large tile seams can be easily sealed, dents and scratches on walls and floors can be "treated," wallpaper seams can be covered with a thin layer of glue or sealant, and so on. When grouting, it’s crucial to use a rubber spatula because it can easily repeat all of the surface’s bends and differences without ever causing damage.

Rubber spatulas with blade widths ranging from 40 to 100 mm are made by manufacturers. Typically, they come in sets of three to five, comprising the most widely used sizes of spatulas. A small rubber tool will soon tire a large hand, and vice versa, so choose one that fits comfortably in your hand.

When working with liquid mixtures, tools with a larger working surface (up to 200 mm) are utilized. These are what are referred to as jointing spatulas.

They are made of white or black rubber, have a wide grip area, and a comfortable wooden handle, which makes them much more suitable for puttying and leveling large surfaces.

Crucial! Such a spatula makes it easy to smooth the joints of tiny (100 x 100 mm) or mosaic wall tiles. The numerous seams make this a laborious task to complete with a standard rubber spatula; however, a jointer spatula can easily and quickly fill them all at once over a sizable area.

Plastic spatula

This kind is also known as a wallpaper ("comb") because it is used to smooth self-adhesive film and wallpaper by pushing air bubbles out from under the canvases. Using a spatula instead of a regular rag is much more convenient when working because it covers a larger area and presses the wallpaper firmly onto the surface.

The flexible yet sturdy plastic used to make the spatula prevents material damage, tearing, and scratches on the canvas. However, since there are still a lot of dishonest manufacturers in the construction industry, it is still important to look for burrs on the working edge before making a purchase.

They come in a variety of shapes and with or without handles, but the "fin" shape is the most widely used and practical for straight surfaces. The working blade’s width ranges from 210 to 400 mm.

The spatula’s edges are all intended for different uses:

• The widest one is used to smooth out wallpaper and drive out bubbles and excess glue.
• Short edges are used to press the sheets in hard-to-reach places.
• The sharp end with adjacent edges is used to smooth out wallpaper in corners and at joints.

It’s not always possible to quickly and effectively press wallpaper in corners when using "old-fashioned" methods, but the ergonomic design of the corner spatula makes it possible.

Spatula – scraper

The multipurpose spatula-scraper is engineered to serve multiple purposes concurrently:

• A strong, sharp blade cleans surfaces from various types of dirt and deposits.
• A pointed tip helps to open cracks in the cladding for subsequent sealing.
• A rounded cutout in the blade is designed to remove excess paint, glue or putty from the roller.
• A cast metal cap on the handle serves as a kind of hammer for hammering fasteners into drywall.
• An oval hole in the blade acts as a nail puller and can remove small nails from the cladding.

This spatula’s metal is significantly thicker than that of traditional tools, so leveling work is unlikely to benefit from it, but cleaning surfaces is an ideal use for it.

Corner spatula

This kind is intended for internal and external corner leveling. The stainless steel blade’s sides are positioned 90 degrees apart from one another. More often used to align the joints between walls, ceilings, and floors is an internal-angled spatula.

However, it is not always convenient to process corners with this tool because a right angle is rarely maintained in these locations during construction. The external spatula is no longer as necessary because external corner joints are now typically equipped with special metal or plastic corners.

Spatula (trowel) for decorative plaster

A tool with four working edges is also referred to as a "falcon." You can use it to apply liquid wallpaper, putty in chaotic patterns, and decorative plaster to walls.

The spatula has a rubber or wooden handle that is curved at a right angle and is firmly fixed to a stainless steel canvas. Use a "falcon" with a straight handle to apply putty and level it on the ceiling. This will enable you to hold the tool in an awkward position with comfort.

Choosing a spatula

Let’s choose a putty spatula so that you can cover a variety of difficult-to-reach areas in addition to large, flat surfaces while working.

Let’s get started by saying that one tool is insufficient in this situation and that a universal spatula is currently unavailable. This will allow for easy working in nooks and behind batteries, as well as speedy processing and evenly distributed mixture. You will require a minimum of three functional tools.

The following blade widths are found in the most widely used putty spatula sizes:

• Narrow (from 20 to 80 mm).
• Medium (from 100 to 150 mm).
• Wide (from 200 to 400 mm).

With narrow spatulas, seal tiny holes, cracks, and other flaws, and remove the previous coating from hard-to-reach areas.

Use a thin spatula to seal the mounting holes and seams before attaching the drywall.

Medium ones—also known as typesetting ones—are used to clean and remove excess putty from a working spatula as well as apply it. Apply the composition widely and directly to the wall.

Use a wider-bladed (up to 800 mm) spatula according to plastering work instructions if your surface is highly curved or has several large irregularities. Large flaws can be concealed and the wall can be leveled more easily with this tool than with a medium or even wide spatula.

Your wall decoration projects may benefit greatly from your selection of construction spatula. Knowing the differences between the various types of spatulas and their respective uses—from smoothing plaster to applying adhesives—will help you get better results.

You can work more accurately and efficiently if you choose the right spatula for the job. There is a spatula made to fit your needs, whether you require a stiff blade for tough jobs or a flexible one for delicate ones.

Purchasing the appropriate equipment guarantees that your wall decoration projects function well and appear polished. If you take the time to fit the spatula to your unique needs, you should find that working will become easier and more pleasurable.

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