6. Fill any holes you dont want to see in the stone with the same grout you use to install the tiles. I am installing Travertine in a bathroom on the floor and walls. My contractor put the washer, dryer, and footed vantiy in before the travertine had been sealed. For all natural stone products such as marble, travertine, and slate you must seal the product to help prevent stains from penetrating the 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. It was a buffing machine with a burlap bag and dry grout that was used to buff tile tiles clean. They are stronger as compared to vinyl, porcelain or wooden floors and an economical alternative for those who prefer marble flooring. One advantage of travertine tilesas well as other types of stone tilesis that they have cut edges. What type of grout do you use for travertine? The country chic design integrates farmhouse dcor and furniture with clean, fresh colors and finishes. So dont just grab a one-size-fits-all grout for your next job. 5. This crew might be nervous and so we can do test boards to figure it out with sanded. In addition, it wont crack, because there is little-to-no pressure applied to it. This is because it is more durable than unsanded grout, can handle foot traffic, and is usable for larger tile joints. Hi Christopher. Stop the work and bring in a professional who installs/polishes natural stone. The evidence I've seen with my own eyes shows many polished stones with no scratches. After you carefully consider what will be appropriate for the task at hand, you can make your purchase.After all, making the right grouting purchase decision can be the difference between a happy customer with a gorgeous new kitchen backsplash or an unhappy one with a cracked tile floor thats ridden with pinholes. For projects with a 3/8 of an inch or larger tile joint, youll need whats known as wide-joint mixture grout, which is readily available at most flooring and hardware stores. Sanded grout is exactly what it says at the box when you pick it up at your local hardware store. It is recommended to test the sealer on a small, inconspicuous area of one tile before applying it to the entire installation. Travertine is a natural stone tile, imported from many countries all over the world. Thanks for your insight. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Should ALL of the tile be sealed or is that not necessary? What you advise? Everything from bright colors to bold patterns to squiggly shapes have returned from the 1980s this year, pointing to a renewed embrace of the maximalist decade. Also, is one coat of sealer enough? Now the area should be cleaned to remove the excess grout. 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. It can also can be difficult to work with, due to short cure times. Is travertine a good choice for a bathroom floor? Is it true that travertine tile installation is 1 1/2 to 2 times costly than installing porcelain tiles? They can take it from how it is now, remove the grout, polish, seal, regrout (with proper material) etc. After allowing drying time of up to 24 hours, apply the grout in between the tiles. 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. Do you mind if I ask what material you used in the countertop? 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. Nerella. What most installers object to is they claim the sand will scratch the face of polished stone. I asked about sealing the tiles under the appliances and vanity. Additionally the sanded grout will create a divot in the tiles that is lower than the surface of the tiles. Thank you, again. This question would probably be better asked to the company that manufactures the grout youre using. Go over the travertine with 600-grit sandpaper to make the travertine shine a little. Can you fill the holes on the face of the floor tiles with grout. This will be a lot less work than a completely new installation. Travertine, like other natural stone flooring, comes out on top. More knowledge means that youre able to better serve your customers. Farmhouse style isnt going away in 2021, but it is getting a makeover. He said tiles were wet and would dry out in a couple of weeks to a couple of months. No matter how carefull you are in setting marble, there is (as George from Seinfeld would say) shrinkage, of the setting mortar. This is because with typical use, travertine can last over 100 years. 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. Unsanded grout is often the best choice for smooth, polished tiles like marble, even if the joint width is 1/8 or larger. My Question is about sealing the tiles. 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. Travertine makes an excellent choice for any shower. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. After letting dry for 24 hours I noticed some lipage along tiles I know I checked for level what would have caused this? Tiles are typically fairly close together usually between 1/8 of an inch and 1/16 of an inch. When it comes to preserving softer, more delicate tiling materials, the contest between sanded vs. unsanded grout is not a contest at all. Great blog! Answer : What does it mean to make 2.5 times the rent. Is there anything you can do to correct lipage. Your email address will not be published. Youve made some decent points there. I have Installed it in a few smaller bathrooms in the past. Sand freshly sanded areas with fine sandpaper with more than 220 sandpaper. So in short, you should be fine as long as you apply the sealer at any point during the installation (whether before grouting or after). My kitchen tile grout looks gritty however the tile which was installed a couple weeks later in the butlers pantry looks good. They will fix the problems the tile setter has created. along with your views on this website. inch or smaller, which is typical of most backsplash tile installations. Travertine in bathrooms is easy to clean and hardly shows water spots and soap scum the bane of homeowners everywhere. Unsanded grout is recommended for grout lines that are ? just had travertine installed ,shower /bath area. 2. Cut tiles to fit the measurements around the edges, using the wet saw. 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. 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. We recommend an epoxyco grout. 1. For precision work, unsanded grout is almost always a better choice.Heres why. 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. Another consideration when choosing between sanded vs. unsanded grout is the tile material that youre working with. Wipe the travertine when you are finished sanding. Wow that was unusual. If you try to use sanded grout for a tiling project using joints that are smaller than 1/8 of an inch, youre going to have some serious problems. For tumbled travertine, do not use grout that has sand in it. Even with the machine and abrasive burlap, there were still no scratch marks. This is true even when the grout is completely dry. Although our kitchen is small, we were told it may take 1 3 days to get the pattern right, and, of course, this is very costly. Using an advanced mixer like the RUBIMIX-9 N Mortar Mixer to get your grout mixed quickly can help, but its still a challenge if youre working on a large area. The current floor is sheet vinyl. To prepare the floor for the travertine installation: Do a dry test run to layout the tiles and inspect them for defects. With grout, you have a choice of sanded vs. unsanded. How many square feet is a yard of concrete 4 inches thick? 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)? We are in the process of choosing travertine tiles for our kitchen. Does travertine need to be sealed? Next time you take on a big project for a customer and are going to be renovating a tile kitchen or a bathroom, youll definitely want to grab some high-quality sanded grout. A final note is that you wont be able to use just any sanded grout if youre working on extremely large tile joints. fantastic blog! The floor supports are at about a 20 centers and the subfloor is 3/4 particle board. It is recommended to test the sealer on a small, inconspicuous area of one tile before applying it to the entire installation. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum, The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, Battery Powered Nail Guns Versus Pneumatic Nail Guns, Leave a Strong Impression with a Dust-Free Remodel, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Not all tile setters are trained to work with natural materials and all their "funky" rules. Do you seal travertine tile before installing? Stopped our floor install and went to supplier to find out why travertine tiles were so dark when we ordered light beige. Our bathroom is going to be tiled very soon. It probably depends a fair amount on the particular grout youre using. Thanks for your prompt answer. Thanks Tony. Grrrr well Im not writing all that over again. From what were understanding of your comment, it sounds like the tiles themselves are too gritty for your tastes. I thought I had this all figured out, but now I'm not sure what to do. I set the tile with thin grout lines (1/16 inch) but the edges on some tile are still noticed. It may be 2021 but you wouldnt know it from looking at the current lineup of design trends. Rather than the distressed look on wood pieces, youll find options in a colorful painted design or a simple smooth wood finish. This effect has increased demand for more natural tones, including blonde wood finishes. Lay the tile over the thin set and make sure to get some thin set on the back of the tile as well. Travertine tiles have a good durability span. 2020 Deco Alert - Your Source for home decorating ideas and inspiration . Shrinkage. When the installation is complete, seal the tile with the appropriate type of sealer. Heres the great debate: Do I need to remove the mortar left behind from under the ceramic? Home Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout The 4 Biggest Differences That Matter. Should we install the Ditra membrane with the backer board? Its a standard grouting material with aggregate sand material added. Thank you for your help. The tile guys saw the sanded grout for polished travertine tiles and said we should switch to unsanded. 1/8" and over, sanded. 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. after I clicked submit my comment didnt show up. Travertine is softer than many other stones and porcelain, yet its also strong and less likely to break. Durability is also not much of a concern for vertical tiles. Thanks, Julian. Im tiling my shower with tumbled travertine. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 4 Tile to Carpet Transition Options for a Stunning Floor. Get decorating and design advice from experts and celebrities. When it reaches a thick consistency, apply it to the tiles and lay them according to the chalk lines for the layout. 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? While dark finishes like ebony and espresso have their place among 2021 trends, lighter colors have a way of making rooms feel larger, which complements the open floor layouts that are popular today. Anyway, just wanted to say thank you pete. Im installing the same 1212 travertine on both floor and wall. Hope that helps! So in short, if you want to ensure that you dont get excess grout mixed in with the sealer, I would recommend sealing before and after the grout. Travertine pavers can be laid mud-set (wet-set) on top of an existing concrete surface just like other paver or tile products. Thats most unusual for a stone. Its a little bit out of style right now. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Move over, marble its travertines time to shine. And travertine is probably one of the most popular choices for interior flooring, statement and bathroom walls and kitchen backsplashes. And after getting an inside look at the differences between sanded and unsanded grout, youre armed with all of the knowledge you need, to knock your next tiling project out of the park. Use a chalk line to mark the tile layout, leaving room for the grout. A: Travertine is able to hold its own around a salt water pool, as long as the appropriate measures are taken to protect it. We set a sample of the 18 x 18 inch tile on the floor to see if we would like the feel and color of the tile. Questions 3 and 4 seem very silly. 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. Marble, by comparison, averages around $20 per square foot, and granite averages around $12 per square foot. I am installing travertine in my foyer, dining and kitchen. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The aggregate sand material used to create it can be quite bulky, and preclude you from being able to squeeze it into small tile joints, making it unsuitable for precision work. Thanks for reading and were glad we could help! Hope that helps! Less than 1/8" unsanded. There is an additional benefit to using unsanded grout for more tricky vertical surfaces. 5. When to use unsanded grout or sanded Grout? Finally, you should seal the tile and the grout. You will also need to make sure that for your tumbled travertine tiles, the grout mixture should not be thick like peanut butter. Its not like this is a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle. So we went back to the tile shop where our salesguy shows us all their displays with polished tile and sanded grout and no scratches. Most flooring specialists have an intimate knowledge about the difference between sanded vs.unsanded grout. 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. You can tile directly over the old tiles if you want to, but the better rout by far is to take the old ones off and then replace them. Over at John Bridge forums there seems to be 50/50 or so split over sanded vs unsanded on polished stone. Sanded grout should not be used with a polished marble tile; you need to use unsanded. We intend to install backer board, either overtop of the vinyl or the the subfloor. GS. Choose From a Palette of Grout Colors for a Warm, Unified Look, Grout is grout, right? Travertine tile is a great choice for bathrooms not only because of its beauty, but also for its simple maintenance. The second way to fill travertine is to simply use sanded grout. Yes, it is true that non-sanded grout is usually a better idea for smaller grout lines such as 1/8, while sanded grout is more suitable for larger grout lines. Harsh chemicals, for example, can prematurely wear away the sealer. Groutless Tile Installation: Can You Tile without Grout? Is this just error on my part or did the tile set at different rates, bad thinset ???? Can I put unsanded grout over sanded grout? [RELATED: Are you mixing mortar the right way? However, Im concerned over the type of grout to use. The Ditra Anti-fracture membrane is a type of underlayment designed specifically for stone and marble floors. Thanks, Call: 1-877-631-2845 Know the perfect mortar recipe]. The question is what should I do about the pore holes. 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. I dont see why leveling travertine would be harder than any other tile. Installing travertine is much like installing any other tile, though it is important to practice care. Talking in-depth with our contractor yesterday, we have the following questions/concerns, and we hope you are able to address them. Cement and epoxy versions have different appearances, durability and rules of installation, Get your grout right to keep your tile beautiful and for an installation that will last, If your grout is grossing you out, this deep-cleaning method will help it look new again, Step 3 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick the right tile and test it out, then choose your grout color and type, Corner the market on compliments for your bathroom renovation by paying attention to where the walls meet and the edges round, Travertine is a gorgeous paver for a pool surround, Grout is out. Usually, most contractors use an epoxy-based unsanded grout in these situations not traditional sanded or unsanded grout. 4. ANSWER It is possible to grout over existing grout if there is enough depth to do so. 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. 3. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Im leaning towards the non-sanded grout, but didnt know if there was a bonding agent I could add to the grout to prevent cracking. Another problem that sanded grout causes in small joints is pinholing. We focus on function and comfort as people show their own homes and discuss design elements of all kinds. The answer is simple, no, it does not need to be sealed. After the tile has been laid, the next step is to now seal the tile. A travertine floor averages about $15 per square foot for materials plus labor. Exactly what I wanted to know. When speaking with the contractor he says its normal because it has sand in it. BOB, Pingback: Tools Today Tool Blog Blog Archive Tile sealant is so important. Unsanded grout is best for grout lines as wide as 1/8-inch and down to 1/16-inch. Nope. Once it has cured, it is time to apply the grout. 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. Do I need gutters around my entire house? I would like to seal up the porous holes on the surface of the tile. Answer : How do you get an apartment if you dont make 3x the rent? 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. These holes help to give travertine its characteristic look and finish. i would like to know do you seal before grouting and after. First, its harder for you to work with sanded grout in tight spaces. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. 3. You can use travertine in your bathrooms and keep it safe from harm by choosing the right finish and sealer. Thank you for your time and expertise. If I apply grout only to the grout joints and leave the pores open will this be a problem?. If the are over 1/8" you need to use sanded grout. The downside is that travertine is a high-maintenance stone. Does it make a difference whether the wall tile is installed before the floor tile, or vice versa? It is a good idea to pre-seal the tile to avoid potential staining with mortar. Do you need to install that Ditra even if youre installing travertine on concrete basement floors? Adding sand to the grouting mix ensures that the material doesnt shrink as much. My kitchen back splash looks very gritty. Is this true? 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. A forum community dedicated to professional construction and remodeling contractors. Or is the cracking problem something I shouldnt be o verly concerned about? Customers dont like pin-holes theyre a sign of shoddy workmanship. This makes spreading the grout easier but excess water can often cause pinholes. 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. 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. Unsanded grout should be used in joints that are less than 1/8-inch-wide. When this happens, the grout that sits above the now-empty air cavity collapses, causing a small, pin-like hole hence, the name. This will ensure you have everything planned accordingly and will be able to complete the floor. Youre dealing with an exterior kitchen wall. It is highly recommended to use this type of underlayment because it offers many benefits: uncoupling, water proofing, vapor management, and support/weight distribution. To learn more, please consult BuildDirect's, Tools Today Tool Blog Blog Archive Tile sealant is so important. How much does a concrete driveway cost UK? This allows you to focus only on placing your tiles in the right spot and delivering a great project. How big are your grout lines? 1-3 days to figure out an attractive pattern??? Sealers which block the Travertines pores should be avoided as water can become trapped inside, making the Travertine slippery when wet. Whats the difference between sanded and unsanded tile? This product has many small pores visible on the surface, and I intend to seal once before I grout and twice after I grout. Eric, Getting ready to Install about 1,000 sq ft of 12 x 24 Beige Travertine. Thanks! No gap means no grout. The primary drawback of epoxy-based unsanded grout is that its quite expensive. Homeowners love having tile installed in and around new builds and older homes. The sand in the ground can inadvertently damage the tile. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. What do you think over here??? That means your grout will need to withstand A LOT of temperature fluctuation, wich epoxy resin, epoxydica, and epoxyco are good for. I was actually looking for an article that explained the type of joint that I should prefer with black marble flooring but found this to be helpful too! Masons have the knowledge to work with natural stone. if I apply grout to the whole tile and fill in the pores, then I will lose some of the texture. However, I would not be overly concerned with worrying about scratching the travertine. They will not be over 1/8" so they could be either. [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. Is it true each of the travertine tiles need to have their edges sanded/smoothened, which is extremely labor-intensive and costly? Should the contractor be laying out all the tiles and arrange for the proper pattern, or is this something we should be doing? 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. Will anything happen if I didnt seal the tile before applying grout? This is one of the popular ways to install and seal Travertine: 1. When possible, use a white thinset. The Best Online Slot Games to Play at Rainbow Riches. 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! In both stores, we used crema marfil marble for all the aisles. Ideas? Travertine drives a hard bargain. I am still upset that these tiles were soaking wetam I being too sensitive?? When the installation is complete, seal the tile with the appropriate type of sealer. 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. When we bought the tile and supplies we were told to use sanded grout, is this a good idea? Floor first! Sanded grout is durable, but that doesnt really matter if you cant even manage to squeeze it in between your tile applications correctly. However, the method of application can vary. Do you feel that your travertine is still creamy looking? A squeegee works well enough to remove these stubborn stains. prevent the most common tile installations problems, What is the Difference Between Ceramic And Porcelain Tile, How to mix mortar for tile installation: the experts recipe, Complete Guide on How to Install Ceramic Floor Tiles, Best Tile for Kitchen Floor: How to Make the Right Choice, Bullnose Tile: What It Is and How to Use It, Our Top Tips For Using Tile Spacers Effectively, Choosing the right trowel size for tile: the complete guide.
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sanded or unsanded grout for travertine