Concrete Trowels
Concrete trowels are essential finishing tools used to smooth, compact, and refine the surface of fresh concrete. They come in a range of sizes and blade shapes designed for different tasks, from general slab finishing to detailed edge and corner work. This page highlights the main types of concrete trowels and what each one is typically used for so you can choose the right tool for your project.
Why It Matters
Trowels matter because they’re what give concrete that slick, smooth, professional finish. Whether you’re doing a garage floor, a basement slab, or a full warehouse pour, the trowel is what tightens the surface, closes it up, and leaves it looking clean and uniform. A good trowel pass is the difference between a rough slab and a floor that actually looks finished.
Tips & Tricks When Using a Trowel
Keep your trowel as flat as possible while you’re finishing. A flat blade keeps you from creating chatter marks.
If you need to steal a little cream fast, you can tip it just a touch — but only when you mean to.
Find your own rhythm and twist — every finisher has their style, but control and consistency always win.
Watch the concrete, not the tool — the slab will tell you when it’s ready for a harder pass.
Keep your blade clean so it glides instead of dragging.
My Tool Recommendations
MARSHALLTOWN QLT Concrete Finishing Trowel, 16 x 4 Inch Carbon Steel Blade
A square hard trowel is the most popular finishing trowel because it makes it easy to spot and correct imperfections. Its firm, square edges let you run tight along walls, corners, and forms without rounding the surface, giving you sharp, clean lines and a smooth, consistent finish.
Marshalltown Pool Trowel, 16 x 4 1/2 inches, Concrete, DuraSoft Handle
A pool trowel has rounded edges that prevent gouging, making it great for smooth, mark‑free finishing on overlays, decorative concrete, and tight areas. Its softer edge profile lets you blend the surface without digging in, especially along walls, curves, and transitions.
Marshalltown Masonry Margin Trowel, 5 Inches by 2 Inches, Carbon Steel Blade, Wood Handle
A margin trowel is a small, narrow finishing tool used for tight spots, edges, corners, and patching work where larger trowels can’t reach. Many pros prefer the wood handle for its comfortable grip and natural feel during long use.
QLT BY MARSHALLTOWN Fresno Trowels, 42 Inch Length, Round End
A fresno trowel is a long, handle‑mounted tool used after bull floating to smooth and tighten larger slabs. Its wide blade covers more area than a hand trowel
New to concrete and need the essential hand tools? Start with this starter kit — it gives you everything you need to begin finishing with confidence.”
MARSHALLTOWN Concrete Apprentice Tool Kit in Canvas Bag, Includes 6 Concrete Tools
This kit comes with a mag float, trowel, wood float, margin trowel, edger, and a jointer. I highly recommend it for anyone building their hand‑tool stockpile — it covers all the essentials you’ll use on every concrete job.