Any thoughts? One advantage of travertine tilesas well as other types of stone tilesis that they have cut edges. What? That's where people seem to be saying don't go with sanded because it could be bad for honing the surface. Usually, most contractors use an epoxy-based unsanded grout in these situations not traditional sanded or unsanded grout. Once it has cured, it is time to apply the grout. Take good care of your outdoor travertine tile by sealing it every one to two years to keep it protected from damage and looking fresh. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Masons have the knowledge to work with natural stone. Travertine floor tiles are made from a soft, porous material that is highly susceptible to stains. No gap means no grout. You can use travertine in your bathrooms and keep it safe from harm by choosing the right finish and sealer. Is it true each of the travertine tiles need to have their edges sanded/smoothened, which is extremely labor-intensive and costly? I asked about sealing the tiles under the appliances and vanity. Also, is one coat of sealer enough? When possible, use a white thinset. Because unsanded grout can also be used for 1/8-inch lines, between the two it is recommended that you use sanded grout. Both sanded grout and unsanded grout can be purchased in an epoxy-based form and theyre essentially the same as their portland-cement based relatives. However, Sand the tile using 400-grit sandpaper in a circular motion, with just enough pressure to remove only the imperfections on top of the tile. Although we will not have a perfect floor (compared to porcelain), we were told laying down each tile and making sure it is level is time-consuming. When it reaches a thick consistency, apply it to the tiles and lay them according to the chalk lines for the layout. Hope that helps! Can you fill the holes on the face of the floor tiles with grout. Over at John Bridge forums there seems to be 50/50 or so split over sanded vs unsanded on polished stone. Travertine makes an excellent choice for any shower. Is this true? Im tiling my shower with tumbled travertine. 3. It is a good idea to pre-seal the tile to avoid potential staining with mortar. Unsanded grout is best for grout lines as wide as 1/8-inch and down to 1/16-inch. When this happens, the grout that sits above the now-empty air cavity collapses, causing a small, pin-like hole hence, the name. Trying to redo a bathroom and suddenly all the neutral travertines take on yellow, peach and gold hues when I start looking at granite counters with them! The holes can be filled with grout during the grouting process to help stabilize the stone, help keep it clean and give it a finished appearance, or left unfilled to provide a more natural look. However, instead of being using the reaction between cement and water, these grouting options use advanced chemical compounds, consisting of a base and an activator. Talking in-depth with our contractor yesterday, we have the following questions/concerns, and we hope you are able to address them. Thanks! Then again the tile shop said you should use sanded grout on the floor regardless. In the bathroom shower, wall and floor. As with most things, its a good idea to test it out on a smaller area or one tile and see the result before applying to the entire floor. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Using grout to fill travertine is much easier and cheaper to do and can often give you satisfactory results. I plan to tile on top of the existing tiles whiCh are very stable! Especially if the setting material is thick or too wet or not the correct material.I have used thinset specifically designed for marble and still get lippage. The sand in the ground can inadvertently damage the tile. Sanded grout can work a lot like sandpaper. For pure durability, sanded grout always wins in the contest between sanded vs. unsanded grout.As the grout cures, the sand becomes locked in place and it wont move. You only need to butter the back of the travertine tile with mortar, then push it against the other tilesno gap necessary. Thats most unusual for a stone. Its a little bit out of style right now. We intend to install backer board, either overtop of the vinyl or the the subfloor. I used a thin set mix and put the tile down ensuring that it was flat to the tile next to each piece checking corners all the way along. [RELATED: Learn pro tips to prevent the most common tile installations problems]Pinholes occur when grouting traps large amounts of water, which then evaporates over a long period of time. My kitchen tile grout looks gritty however the tile which was installed a couple weeks later in the butlers pantry looks good. This ensures proper adhesion of tiles that must be placed more than 1/8 of an inch apart, and for tiles that are going to have heavy foot traffic on them such as in the bathroom. Durability is also not much of a concern for vertical tiles. Does it make a difference whether the wall tile is installed before the floor tile, or vice versa? After letting dry for 24 hours I noticed some lipage along tiles I know I checked for level what would have caused this? Harsh chemicals, for example, can prematurely wear away the sealer. Travertine, like other natural stone flooring, comes out on top. Travertine in bathrooms is easy to clean and hardly shows water spots and soap scum the bane of homeowners everywhere. Wow that was unusual. Other tools and materials to complete the installation will include: Chalk line, tape measure, carpenters pencil, power drill with mixing paddle, notched trowel, beater block, rubber mallet, grout float, 4-foot metal straightedge, and a dry-cutting saw. Groutless Tile Installation: Can You Tile without Grout? Thanks, Call: 1-877-631-2845 . Can you sand travertine tiles? He said tiles were wet and would dry out in a couple of weeks to a couple of months. Im very unhappy with the quality of work. This is because it is more durable than unsanded grout, can handle foot traffic, and is usable for larger tile joints. It may be 2021 but you wouldnt know it from looking at the current lineup of design trends. 4. In addition, it wont crack, because there is little-to-no pressure applied to it. Wide-joint mixture has a higher volume of large aggregate material to further reduce shrinkage issues. jasmine is the better option IMO.i am in the proces of laying an opus travertine pattern in light walnut and beige goes well with that coz it is slightly darker than light ivory travertine. It looks nice, wont get ruined easily, can withstand the heat, is great for safety, and is extremely functional when it comes to design but there is one drawback for travertine pool decking, and that is that travertine pool decking is its porous nature. Unsanded grout is often the best choice for smooth, polished tiles like marble, even if the joint width is 1/8 or larger. Tiles are typically fairly close together usually between 1/8 of an inch and 1/16 of an inch. Unsanded grout is recommended for grout lines that are ? Get decorating and design advice from experts and celebrities. Eric, Getting ready to Install about 1,000 sq ft of 12 x 24 Beige Travertine. Shrinkage. The materials used to create the sand are often much harder than soft stones. Thanks for reading and were glad we could help! Travertine had an extended demand and increase from 2000 to 2015 a 15-year run. That seems like it is a function of tile size rather than material. You will want to start off with your floor installation prior to working on the wall. Whether your next project is a residential shower installation, an outdoor patio, or a kitchen renovation, youre sure to benefit from the knowledge youll gain from our guide.Read on, and learn about the ideal applications for both sanded and unsanded grout and the biggest differences between the two. You can easily spread it onto a vertical surface, and will stick there with no issue as you work to force it into grout lines.And even though unsanded grout shrinks, this isnt much of an issue on a vertical surface. If youve ever installed a shower before, chances are that you used unsanded grout. Thanks Tony. Still, if youre working on highly-polished tiles that have a joint of more than of an inch, epoxy unsanded grout is going to be the best choice. THANKS! This combination makes travertine comparatively easy to cut, which reduces the labor and time involved in the installation job. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. fantastic blog! It was a buffing machine with a burlap bag and dry grout that was used to buff tile tiles clean. The Best Online Slot Games to Play at Rainbow Riches. The downside is that travertine is a high-maintenance stone. Thank you. I would like to seal up the porous holes on the surface of the tile. Thanks for your prompt answer. Thank you for your inquiry. The intellectual property rights over the contents in this Blog and over each of the elements created for this site are the exclusive property of RUBI Spain, the leading manufacturer of equipment and tools for laying tiles and construction in Europe. Sanded grout is the go-to choice for most interior flooring installations. How can I make my IKEA kitchen look expensive? These cookies do not store any personal information. if I apply grout to the whole tile and fill in the pores, then I will lose some of the texture. Hello BuildDirect: The tile guys saw the sanded grout for polished travertine tiles and said we should switch to unsanded. 1-3 days to figure out an attractive pattern??? If you dont manage to coat your entire work area in your epoxy-based unsanded grout before it cures, its going to become totally stiff and unworkable you wont be able to spread it at all. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Do I use non-sanded grout to fill these crevices? I hope this information was useful. Sanded grout also resists cracking, making it more durable. A: Travertine is able to hold its own around a salt water pool, as long as the appropriate measures are taken to protect it. This will be a lot less work than a completely new installation. When we bought the tile and supplies we were told to use sanded grout, is this a good idea? ANSWER It is possible to grout over existing grout if there is enough depth to do so. Make sure the tiles are dry and ready to be installed. [RELATED: Are you mixing mortar the right way? Homeowners love having tile installed in and around new builds and older homes. 1. A forum community dedicated to professional construction and remodeling contractors. Sand freshly sanded areas with fine sandpaper with more than 220 sandpaper. We focus on function and comfort as people show their own homes and discuss design elements of all kinds. I am still upset that these tiles were soaking wetam I being too sensitive?? With grout, you have a choice of sanded vs. unsanded. Most likely you can hire them to do all the work necessary to deal with this issue. To change the tub out or not to Change it out. Travertine is softer than many other stones and porcelain, yet its also strong and less likely to break. If the installation looks poorly done to you, meaning the tiles are not leveled or laid in a way that looks aesthetically pleasing, you might be able to contact a professional tile layer to remove and replace only the tiles that are badly placed. Think about what youve learned above, and the basic differences between sanded vs. unsanded grout. Travertine is known as a durable and rugged natural stone, but even the toughest materials need some TLC. As porous as travertine is, its a beautiful, versatile stone. The second way to fill travertine is to simply use sanded grout. 4 Tile to Carpet Transition Options for a Stunning Floor. Nerella. This allows you to focus only on placing your tiles in the right spot and delivering a great project. ON TRAVERTINE FLOOR TILE SHOULD I USE SANDED OR UNSANDED GROUT? Thanks, Julian. There is an additional benefit to using unsanded grout for more tricky vertical surfaces. When laying tile, two wet materials hold the structure together: mortar and grout. The tiles are set at 1/8 of an inch. Spreading sanded grout over soft tiles can cause damage, especially on soft limestones and marbles. Marble, by comparison, averages around $20 per square foot, and granite averages around $12 per square foot. This makes it perfect for tile projects with large grout joints. Youve made some decent points there. Hi Christopher. Use a chalk line to mark the tile layout, leaving room for the grout. The evidence I've seen with my own eyes shows many polished stones with no scratches. Thank you, again. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I have begun installing 16 x 16 travertine tiles in a bathroom, and have left 3/16 grout lines. No matter how carefull you are in setting marble, there is (as George from Seinfeld would say) shrinkage, of the setting mortar. Stop the work and bring in a professional who installs/polishes natural stone. When the installation is complete, seal the tile with the appropriate type of sealer. So dont just grab a one-size-fits-all grout for your next job. Wet stones should not be installed. Sanded grout is exactly what it says at the box when you pick it up at your local hardware store. Travertine Shower Floor Tile Issue- Uneven, Grout Low- Help! Installation is considered a medium to high difficulty job, and will require a wet saw is required to cut the tiles to the appropriate size. When it comes to preserving softer, more delicate tiling materials, the contest between sanded vs. unsanded grout is not a contest at all. I thought I had this all figured out, but now I'm not sure what to do. We recommend an epoxyco grout. Good morning! how much does travertine tile installation cost. Beige is too dark with light travertine. What type of grout do you use for travertine? It is recommended to test the sealer on a small, inconspicuous area of one tile before applying it to the entire installation. Your email address will not be published. For all natural stone products such as marble, travertine, and slate you must seal the product to help prevent stains from penetrating the surface. After allowing drying time of up to 24 hours, apply the grout in between the tiles. Thank you for your time and expertise. Heres the great debate: Do I need to remove the mortar left behind from under the ceramic? When speaking with the contractor he says its normal because it has sand in it. The installation steps include: preparation, laying the tile, and grouting it to keep it all together. Before we purchased, I was uncertain about everyday things scratching the tiles and I tried my best to scratch samples and couldn't. First, its harder for you to work with sanded grout in tight spaces. Anyway, just wanted to say Your email address will not be published. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! While grout with sand in it is perfectly all right for most tiles, you should only use unsanded grout for tumbled travertine tile. I am installing Travertine in a bathroom on the floor and walls. People arent using the beige colors much. Jonathan Verrengia Managing Partner Marble and Granite Inc. Should the contractor be laying out all the tiles and arrange for the proper pattern, or is this something we should be doing? Now, I've heard this from enough installers and contractors to believe there might be some creedence to this, but my own experience is no way. First off I have no specific Travertine expertise and am not a contractor myself: It sounds like your contractor is sketchy and is pushing for porcelain tiles because they are more comfortable installing those, or perhaps have some agreement with a supplier. More knowledge means that youre able to better serve your customers. Do you grout the holes in travertine? Can I put unsanded grout over sanded grout? Is it true that travertine tile installation is 1 1/2 to 2 times costly than installing porcelain tiles? Continuous sheets of glass, stone, metal and porcelain are saving cleaning time and offering more looks than ever, Combine black with other colors to add drama, polish and modernity. Can you please share what color this travertine is? Grrrr well Im not writing all that over again. Please let this be possible as I really love the Travatine tiles! With one day the tile cracked and broke in many places, is this due to the flexibilty of the current floor and should not happen once installed properly? My Question is about sealing the tiles. We are about to have travertine tile installed on our kitchen floors. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 1/8" and over, sanded. Epoxy vs. Cement Grout What's the Difference? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Great blog! What size rectangular undermount bathroom sinks should I shop for? Or is the cracking problem something I shouldnt be o verly concerned about? Thanks for reading our blog! How much does a concrete driveway cost UK? How can we tell whether the contractor is truly assessing the actual installation costs, or if he is embedding hidden costs by doing things (which may not be necessary)? I am planning to tile my bathroom floor and walls! 1/8" or less use unsanded. Which is the login script in PHP example? I need to grout between the granite counter top and the tile backsplash, I used a vinyl caulk and it did not last. Finally, you should seal the tile and the grout. My kitchen back splash looks very gritty. It has a smooth texture and clings well to vertical surfaces, which makes it useful for grouting ceramic wall tiles. In other words, does it matter whether the floor tile is butted into the wall tile or the wall tile comes down onto the floor tile? Even with the machine and abrasive burlap, there were still no scratch marks. I dont see why leveling travertine would be harder than any other tile. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Unsanded grout should be used in joints that are less than 1/8-inch-wide. If youre using a colored sanded grout and you run out, can you use a color of the same non-sanded grout and will the color stay the same? For precision work, unsanded grout is almost always a better choice.Heres why. 3 Key Steps for Grouting That Looks Its Best, Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower the Tiling and Grouting Phase, Polish Your Bathroom's Look With Wrapped Tile, Landscape Paving 101: Travertine Keeps Its Cool in Warm Climates, Get Quartz and Porcelain Surfaces Super Clean. Thank you for your help. GS. Mortar forms the bed of the tile and grout fills in the spaces between the tile. Sanded grout should not be used with a polished marble tile; you need to use unsanded. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), By continuing to browse this website, you agree to the use of cookies for the collection of traffic statistics and to improve the quality of our website. Not all tile setters are trained to work with natural materials and all their "funky" rules. Before starting the installation, it is suggested to remove the pavers from the crates and begin to arrange them in place. Installing travertine is much like installing any other tile, though it is important to practice care. I am wondering if I seal them before, will this keep the grout form sticking in the crevices on the tile surface? First of all, Ill start off with the obvious: you should always follow the manufacturers instructions when it comes to the method/timing of applying the sealer. Youre dealing with an exterior kitchen wall. 6. Another consideration when choosing between sanded vs. unsanded grout is the tile material that youre working with. Using sanded grout for small joints can require contractors to use more water in the base. along with your views on this website. inch or smaller, which is typical of most backsplash tile installations. The harsh aggregate material present in sanded grout can damage delicate materials such as granite, marble, limestone, and other soft stones. Move over, marble its travertines time to shine. First you apply the thin set to the sub floor or wall where the tile will be placed. The better question would be, Should I seal my grout? Grout is a cement-based product mixed with chemicals, water, and in many cases sand. Do you feel that your travertine is still creamy looking? The added aggregate material makes sanded grout much more durable than unsanded grout, for one simple reason. Sealing Travertine is very easy and should be done during installation and periodically thereafter approximately every three to five years, depending on usage and traffic, as well as the products used to clean your surfaces after use. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP. In both stores, we used crema marfil marble for all the aisles. Home Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout The 4 Biggest Differences That Matter. Just like any other tool, each type of grout is different. The primary drawback of epoxy-based unsanded grout is that its quite expensive. 4. The answer is simple, no, it does not need to be sealed. If you dont like the appearance of the tiles themselves, unfortunately the only solution is a new tile installation. Some installers like to apply the sealer before grouting to prevent grout from possibly getting stuck on the surface of the tile and then apply another coat after the grout has set. It also can make a kitchen look more spacious, These cleaning tips for quartz, travertine, porcelain and engineered stone will help keep your countertops and sinks looking spotless, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, 9 Ways GroutYes, GroutCan Add to Your Design. The country chic design integrates farmhouse dcor and furniture with clean, fresh colors and finishes. What most installers object to is they claim the sand will scratch the face of polished stone. So if youre doing a project with joints that are smaller than 1/8 inch, you run the risk of having trouble installing your tiles correctly. 2. This question would probably be better asked to the company that manufactures the grout youre using. Most flooring specialists have an intimate knowledge about the difference between sanded vs.unsanded grout. Do you seal travertine tile before installing? 2020 Deco Alert - Your Source for home decorating ideas and inspiration . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A final note is that you wont be able to use just any sanded grout if youre working on extremely large tile joints. Travertine can be installed for countertops, flooring, and walls. It is highly recommended to use this type of underlayment because it offers many benefits: uncoupling, water proofing, vapor management, and support/weight distribution. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. I set the tile with thin grout lines (1/16 inch) but the edges on some tile are still noticed. JavaScript is disabled. They will not be over 1/8" so they could be either. These holes help to give travertine its characteristic look and finish. Do you mind if I ask what material you used in the countertop? Our bathroom is going to be tiled very soon. after I clicked submit my comment didnt show up. 5. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. I just wrote an very long comment but Its more durable than traditional grout, and doesnt pose the risk of scratching, that sanded grout does. As my momma used to say, dont give me no lippage. I put down a travertine tile floor in my kitchen 18 inch square tile on top of Permibase 1/4 in board screwed down to a wood subfloor. The problem with using sanded grout is that the sanded grout will have a sandy texture that does not match the texture of the travertine. As I understand it, I should not use sanded grout, as it will scratch the travertine. Gray thinset may bleed, and should be avoided when using a lighter travertine. Be sure the thinset is thick and sticky, with a peanut butter like consistency. In addition, you could be leaving behind, pinholes that tell customers that you used the wrong grouting material neither of which is ideal. Its not like this is a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle. Thanks to the author. Though unsanded grout is not ideal for applications where tile has a lot of foot traffic on it, you will have no problem with great hold on vertical surfaces. Im installing the same 1212 travertine on both floor and wall. Is there anything you can do to correct lipage. Required fields are marked *. I plan to use Travatine tiles! Exactly what I wanted to know. They will fix the problems the tile setter has created. Travertine is a mid-range stone in terms of cost, but this puts it at the high-end in the entire range of flooring materials. Even though travertine floor tiles may appear to be hard to care for, refinishing the area that has them installed is an easy process that can be accomplished within a few hours. Answer : How do you get an apartment if you dont make 3x the rent? Nope. Rather than the distressed look on wood pieces, youll find options in a colorful painted design or a simple smooth wood finish. If the Ditra anti-fracture membrane is not installed for the underlayment, then it is necessary to install is cement backing to the subfloor. He pulled out the washer and dryer an applied one layer of sealer there as well as the bathroom floor and shower. I am looking for ideas other than just butting the wall tile to the floor. However, Im concerned over the type of grout to use. Travertine drives a hard bargain. But even some experienced general contractors are still unsure about the differences between the two most common grouting materials.So, to help you take a side in the sanded vs. unsanded grout debate, weve put together this guide. Cut tiles to fit the measurements around the edges, using the wet saw. It is recommended to test the sealer on a small, inconspicuous area of one tile before applying it to the entire installation. Now, you probably already know most of what we went over above youre a professional, after all but its always good to expand your knowledge as a contractor. It is a good idea to pre-seal the tile to avoid potential staining with mortar. This will ensure you have everything planned accordingly and will be able to complete the floor. With that said I dont see a problem in sealing before grouting because, even if the sealer does spill over to the edges, it shouldnt be solid enough to prevent the grout from sticking. Is travertine a good choice for a bathroom floor? However, the method of application can vary. Does Uranus have a protective atmosphere? Thanks for your insight. ??? Will anything happen if I didnt seal the tile before applying grout? To learn more, please consult BuildDirect's, Tools Today Tool Blog Blog Archive Tile sealant is so important. Answer : What does it mean to make 2.5 times the rent. 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