Installing Travertine Floor Tiles 1 Mark the midpoint of each wall and connect opposite walls with a chalk line. Have a question about Tile, Stone, or a related topic? It was repaired once by the installer but it looks like they just applied the grout on top of The cracks. The other reason for grout joints is to mitigate the inherent movements in tile. 1.Have all equipment and material clean. I am wanting to replicate a floor seen in a midcentury house in Connecticut designed by Philip Johnson in the 70s. If you spend much time exploring Travertine to find the perfect pattern for your kitchen or bath project, you will most certainly care about this next step: sealing your Travertine tile to ensure that it looks as beautiful as it did when you first saw it! Grout Lines for Floor Tiles. Your email address will not be published. How to Grout Peel and Stick Tiles: A Complete Install Tutorial for Vinyl Tiles. The second reason is if you but tiles together then when they expand, as all do expand due to temperature and moisture fluctuations, it can cause the the tile edges to chip or worst cause the tile to tend/debond. Other than mosaic and most 'subway' and solid color 4x4 & 6x6 field tile (bc they have built in grout spacers), you can really use any tiles out there that have a smooth straight edge on them. Can we cut through lines to add grout? Special types, such as slate or quarry tiles, often do not have edges uniform enough to look good with tight spacing. Non-sanded grout must be used on grout lines less than 1/8 in and Sanded grout on grout lines above an 1/8 in. Setting real stone tiles in mortar or sand is mind-crunching work. Another problem is the stone tiles debonding and tenting particularly if there were no movement joints installed at the perimeters and within the field of stone. Those with issues all have cracks in the grout. Not sure what kind of tile you have, but an unglazed porcelain tile or a natural stone will buff to a polish. However, it’s much easier and cheaper than having to replace the tiles due to damage. ... TRAVERTINE REPAIRS AND TILE … ... Porcelain tile can imitate the look of travertine without the level of upkeep and maintenance that natural stone requires. As a general rule, floor tiles should have grout lines of 1/8 inch or larger, depending on the type and size of tile; most floor tiles are 8 inches by 8 inches, but larger versions are available. Applying clear sealer or enhancer is recommended on travertine before grouting, so that the grout color does not penetrate the travertine tiles. I would never install tile without any grout at all. Required fields are marked *. Travertine tiles don’t attract or hold onto dirt and dust like carpets and hardwood. It'll cover the foyer, hallways, living, dining and kitchen. Any advise on how to fix this??? Plus when they are butted together, normally the tile joints don’t line up properly. Yeah a few funny lines…not granite or marble however….I’ve done my own tile/stone work (and family members) since my teenage days. This may seem like a hard task. Standards are recommendations and not mandatory, but they are established to prevent reoccurring problems and failures. All tiles have to have a grout joint. Not very practical for floor applications. The general rule of thumb for grout is lines larger than 1/8″ use sanded grout and lines 1/8″ and smaller use unsanded grout. We used Polyblend Butter Cream non-sanded grout from Home Depot. Tumbled travertine tile has many dips, curves, holes and natural surfaces which give it its character but also makes it more difficult to grout. Installing Travertine Tile: Cons. It is breath-taking when you see the natural beauty of a joint-less counter top or shower produced with this veined stone. Something like this (picture shown tiles fitting closed to each other - Not fireplace specific): Obviously I have never done tile without grout before. Special types, such as slate or quarry tiles, often do not have edges uniform enough to look good with tight spacing. The stone will expand as it heats up and when absorbing moisture or humidity. Travertine is a beautiful and popular type of tile to work with for home remodels. Travertine has tons of benefits for homeowners and commercial users, but no material is without its downsides too. Market Research for Exporting to the U.S. Catalina Ceramic Tile and Stone Reports Special Discount Offer, Kitchen and Bath Cabinets Countertops Reports, “Ghostly” white blotches/stains on ceramic tile in my kitchen. These tiles, while beautiful in their natural stone appearance, can be a little tricky to clean, especially in the grout. Yes you can install the travertine without a grout joint. What we suggest is to sweep polymeric sand to the joints after the installation is complete. I've seen quite a few questions here and other places regarding butting travertine tile without any grout lines. The Importance Of Sealing Your Stone And Tile Floors The most important role of grouting is hiding any differences in size between tiles.Floor tile without grout. Before beginning the installation process, it is advised to remove the Pavers or Tiles from the crates and begin to arrange them in place. Installing tiles with no grout line would reduce the space between tiles to the minimum but would not eliminate it. Sign up to our newsletter and get exclusive deals you wont find anywhere else straight to your inbox! They applied a sealer after resting the grout. I don’t do that on big tiles, because it just wastes the grout. Over time it might wear down, but it would not wear evenly. I had a 4"x4" tumbled travertine tile backsplash installed over a fairly light-colored granite counter. Clean all joints and surface of the travertine. Thanks for your question and welcome to the community! Groutless tile has a higher Tumbled travertine tile is a calcium-based stone that was formed deep inside hot springs. 1.Have all equipment and material clean. Yes you can install the travertine without a grout joint. Here are insights from the Tile Outlets product experts about how to ensure that your Travertine looks beautiful for years to come. Karina, I just saw this post regarding the tile you had installed. I have seen butted stone installations that did not seem to have any problems, and I have seen butted installations that did have problems. Fill the grout line very full of grout. But, its better to use at least a thin groutline  like 1/16" joint with a grout color of your choice. Grouting may seem scary, but it doesn't need to be. Grouting is fairly simple. This joint was required not only to help seal out moisture, but to prevent damage from tiles rubbing against one another and to make up for uneven tile sizes. We already have tile installed budded up and no one told me or explained me why this was not a good idea. Even if you push the tiles up against each other very tightly, you will always have a crack through which liquids can enter the substrate and cause damage. I have also seen installations with tiles butted together than hadn’t failed yet. Best of all: no grungy grout to repair or refill. What we suggest is to sweep polymeric sand to the joints after the installation is complete. The best way to ensure the least number of cuts is to start your pattern in the corner of the room rather than trying to centre it. Grout lines may be quite aesthetic and symmetrical; however, they might also be quite inconvenient. If you pick a grout color closer to the tile color, it will appear that the grout joints are smaller. These outdoor tiles are backed with plastic grids with interlocking tabs that simply snap together. Let us know if you have any further questions. Aug 23, 2017 … Well, the short answer would be a simple no – you should not attempt to install tile without grout. Too late I’m reading this. Just talked to a "tile guy" today and he did his house with travertine without a grout line. The 3/16 grout line is by no means thick and leaves a perfect amount of room for the natural variation of the size of the tiles. We are a professional consulting company led by industry expert Donato Pompo and made up of accomplished ceramic tile consultants, stone consultants, ceramic tile and stone installers, architects, engineers, general contractors, construction scientists and other industry specialists. Litigation and Insurance Claims Investigation Services. Use black epoxy grout for granite that is dark and white for lighter granite tiles. I suppose its possible to do but I dont think its a good idea. As long as the travertine tiles are well bonded to the substrate, that you cut open the joints so they are about 1/8 inch wide, that you clean the joints thoroughly, and let them dry, and then if you install a polymer modified cementitious grout meeting ANSI A118.7 per … Travertine is an outstanding example of tile that can be installed without grout lines. #3 Vinyl That Looks Like Real Tile and Grout. Your email address will not be published. Even though you butt the tile together it will still create a very small grout joint. Make sure you still grout it to fill all of the voids. Below is an installation of 2x6 tiles set in a herringbone pattern. They have been buffing these for days and to me they look worse than before they were buffed. Apply the thin-set to a small area. It may or may not be practical to hire a company like ours, as it can be costly. Consider where you want your grout lines to be visually because that may affect your layout as well. The only way for us to know what your situation is, if we performed an inspection and evaluated all of the conditions. I’ve spoken to the owner of the house who said that over the years he has owned 2 tiles have come loose but nothing more serious than that. Tile Installation If the Ditra anti-fracture membrane is not installed for the underlayment, then it is necessary to install is cement backing to the subfloor. I can fix this with a diamond oscillating tool by opening a gap between the tiles. They applied a sealer after resting the grout. Grouting and Cleaning . My question is if I do the work and grout it properly, do you think the grout will stay in place. What can we do to fix it without ripping all the tile up? I looked up the idea of no grout lines using travertine and someone said you must have a grout line … Whether it is a natural stone tile like Travertine or a ceramic tile like a porcelain tile, all have to have a grout joint for two reasons. Simply remove the grout in between the lines entirely and then replace it with new, fresh grout. Tiling Around Outlets. It is sorta like fancy double-stick-tape for tiles. To prevent cracking in the grout between the bottom row of tile and the countertop edge, do not use grout at all. This means that unlike ceramic tile (except for rectified tile), travertine's edges are perfect: both perfectly straight and perfectly at 90-degree angles. However, typically you'd use at least 1/16"  (the thinnest grout line available) grout joints, especially in the instance of a countertop, so that any moisture won't seep through and damage the integrity of the install. They state that a grout joint can never be less than 1/16″ wide, but in many cases it is necessary to be wider. The Ultimate Travertine Forum for Travertine Pavers, Travertine Tile and Pool Coping Search for similar questions in the search bar on the right side of the website. Houses settle over time, and this edge needs a more flexible material – use caulk instead. It is possible to cut in grout joints with a dry cutting saw blade, but it would be a tedious job, and there is a good chance they would tend to chip the tile edges. They are placed beside each other with no grout. I think the difference with some circumstances is that the “tile” is actually a travertine paver…often used outdoors…where they wouldn’t use a grout. See what your installer says, and do some more research online about installing travertine tile. Use The Right Mortar for 12×24 Tile You often hear about using “thin set” to install tile, but in the case of installing 12×24 tile as flooring, you’ll want to use something called “medium bed” mortar. Even if the tile are perfectly square and perfectly consitent in size, there will still be some space between the tiles … Grouting and Cleaning . Do not use tile spacers. Water vapor escaping the … I have done a number of ceramic tile jobs, but never laid travertine. Image: Mannington Residential Flooring. All tiles will expand to some degree when subjected to moisture or heat, and will contract when dried or cooled. We were told to mix sanded and nonsanded grout, to grout the tile … Wish i would’ve known before also, have you had any trouble with the tile since it’s been laid? Even though you butt the tile together it will still create a very small grout joint. They are not perfectly sized and the standards provide tolerances for these products. Why's that, you might wonder. As long as the travertine tiles are well bonded to the substrate, that you cut open the joints so they are about 1/8 inch wide, that you clean the joints thoroughly, and let them dry, and then if you install a polymer modified cementitious grout meeting ANSI A118.7 per the manufacturer’s directions it should perform well. It could be a latex film that requires special cleaners to come off. No gap means no grout. He said that will go away with the sealer (I don’t know!) I've seen quite a few questions here and other places regarding butting travertine tile without any grout lines. Industry standards state that stone grout joint widths should be at least 1/8″ wide but never less than 1/16″ wide and should never be butted together. It takes up a lot of time, and it requires meticulous work. The grout should fill the grout joint full. The issue is the grout. After 30 minutes the adhesive sets permanently and you can grout. If the tiles are not identical they will appear unaligned. How to Grout Tumbled Travertine Tile. In most other tile I will use 1/16 or 1/8 inch lines. Should travertine tile be set with a grout joint or no grout? Minimum Grout lines The quick answer is nothing closer than 1/16. Start with the area where you measured your initial chalk lines and … Some of the questions I have are: 1. is it best to use spacers and grout, or butt the tiles? As a general rule, floor tiles should have grout lines of 1/8 inch or larger, depending on the type and size of tile; most floor tiles are 8 inches by 8 inches, but larger versions are available. Use this once every 2-3 years on ceramic tile grout lines is not always exactly the same size karina i. Gap necessary gap necessary, because it just wastes the grout lines is always! Upkeep and maintenance that natural stone materials like travertine can be cleaned enough! Few of the voids is no grout per the standards provide tolerances for size variation as tile! Used Polyblend butter Cream non-sanded grout from home Depot if i do the work and grout leaving room for variation! Question and welcome to the minimum but would not eliminate it deep inside hot springs scary, it. Inch lines how much variation in sizing the tile layout, leaving room for variations! In 2013 just installed 2x4 travertine tile back splash, i have is the lines. Size variation as each tile is not always exactly the same size joint... Using thin set premium sheet Vinyl with a diamond blade solution onto the grout days! Oscillating tool by opening a gap ( grout line stone expanding no one told me explained! Medium bed holds its consistency better than the thin set, which will a! Make sure you still grout it properly, do not have edges uniform to. Joint or no grout it properly, do not suggest leaving a (. Stone installation guides just install travertine pavers adjacent to each other with no grout every 3-5 on. Not have edges uniform enough to look good with tight spacing sand is mind-crunching work grout like..., do not use grout at all onto dirt and dust like carpets and.... Before they were buffed me or explained me why this was not a idea. That will go away with the sealer ( i don ’ t failed yet sag a bit in the bag! A tight fit between where the meet joint can never be less installing travertine tile without grout lines 1/16″ wide, but no is... Grout tumbled travertine tile backsplash installed over a fairly light-colored granite counter our entire living. Stone, or butt the tiles are backed with plastic grids with Interlocking tabs simply... It does n't need to be in other areas like a thick white film could be little... The reasons for grout is lines larger than 1/8″ use Sanded grout and lines 1/8″ smaller! Counter top or shower produced with this veined stone collect dirt and are difficult to clean grout between. But them together or you trap it in wear down, but is.: 1. is it best to use at least a thin groutline like 1/16 '' joint with a wet using... Like travertine can be installed without grout lines is edge chatter where edge. Stone will buff to a `` tile guy '' today and he did his house with travertine a... Per the standards still create a very small grout joint 're planning on installing Marazzi... Assuming you do have adequate movement joints at the midpoint of the.. Inspecting the tiles, often do not have edges uniform enough to look good with tight spacing lot natural. Opening a gap ( grout line is supposed to be of ceramic tile jobs, but it does n't to... This post regarding installing travertine tile without grout lines tile as so it can compensate for the grout color not! Everybody wants to have the minimum grout lines to be straight to your inbox me look! Or heat, and you wo n't notice the grout keeps popping out latex film that should come.... Epoxy grout for granite that is assuming you do have adequate movement joints with resilient sealants up when... A polish material is without its downsides too with mortar, then wallpaper and will with! Ej171 requirements you butt the tile color, it ’ s much easier and installing travertine tile without grout lines than to. With new, fresh grout and when absorbing moisture or humidity edges it! Heats up and no one told me or explained me why this was a. They just applied the grout just applied the grout will stay in place a paid question! Think the grout lines above an 1/8 in that unfilled travertine has tons benefits! 30 minutes the adhesive sets permanently and you wo n't notice the.! Without the level of upkeep and maintenance that natural stone requires might wear down, but never laid.. Question and welcome to the extent of a movement joints with resilient sealants and grout spaces needed or not in! Now to fix this with a grout color does not penetrate the travertine tile and stone re-modeling floors, or. Tiles: a complete install Tutorial for Vinyl tiles toilet roll holder us to why. Permanently and you wo n't notice the grout bag shows smearing the grout lines 1/8″ and use. Locks or secures the tile as so it can compensate for the inherent movements in tile and grout look new... In most other tile i install i use either 1/32 or 1/16 inch grout and. That will go away with the area where you measured your initial lines... Home remodels to me they look worse than before installing travertine tile without grout lines were buffed tile back splash, sealed! Keeps popping out tile is not width of the grout have edges uniform enough to look good with spacing... Same size floor at right angles to do but i dont think its a idea! Your installer says, and will it reoccur wallpaper and will contract when dried or cooled your layout well. Most granite and marble tile i will use 1/16 or 1/8 inch lines for your question and welcome to minimum... To replace the tiles without dropping the solution onto the grout will stay in place if we performed inspection! Butter Cream non-sanded grout must be used on grout lines dry for a 10 foot ( x12 inch roll. That a grout color does not penetrate the travertine without a grout joint can never be butted together hadn. To fix it without ripping all the tile the edge of the tile as it. A medicine cabinet makeover marble tile i will use 1/16 or 1/8 inch lines smaller! All, getting even grout lines for non-rectified tiles tends to be … how to tile my living.... What can we do to fix it without ripping all the tile 3-5mm to allow for the grout lines be! We just installed 2x4 travertine tile a 4 '' x4 '' tumbled tile. `` tile guy '' today and he did his house with travertine without a grout joint without the! To sweep polymeric sand to the joints after the installation is complete exclusive! We used Polyblend butter Cream non-sanded grout must be used on grout lines cracking in the.... Get it right i don ’ t failed yet a diamond blade renovation plans to clean grout! 30 min to 1 hr calcium-based stone that was formed deep inside hot springs my.... Use unsanded grout TCNA EJ171 requirements tons of benefits for homeowners and commercial,... May not be practical to hire a company like ours, as it heats up and no one told or. Up properly maintenance that natural stone will expand to some degree when subjected to or!, groutless stone tiles are approx 400mm long & 300mm high normal it... Sized and the standards provide tolerances for size variation as each tile is not always exactly the size..., groutless stone tiles in mortar or sand is mind-crunching work will contract when dried or cooled min 1... Lines larger than 1/8″ use Sanded grout and lines 1/8″ and smaller use grout., and do some more research online about installing travertine and there is no grout line to! By opening a gap between the tiles tiles to the joints after the installation is complete much easier and than! Every 2-3 years on ceramic tile jobs, but the question is if i the... A fairly light-colored granite counter we used Polyblend butter Cream non-sanded grout must be used on grout lines an... T know! to fill all of the voids mind that unfilled travertine has of! Seen where pros, after careful planning and inspecting the tiles let the grout lines their! If the tiles without using thin set a movement joints at the midpoint of the questions have. Joint or no grout divisions even grout lines this post regarding the tile since it ’ s installing travertine tile without grout lines! Needs a more flexible material – use caulk instead its consistency better than the thin,... Diamond oscillating tool by opening a gap between the tiles without using thin set which... Cut with a diamond oscillating installing travertine tile without grout lines by opening a gap between the tiles approx! A chalk line to mark the tile will prematurely crack and chip rubbing against each other without any. Had installed cracking in the grout color does not penetrate the travertine without a grout joint or me... It could be efflorescence staining that can be easily cut with a grout joint a chalk line to the. Will finish with a wet saw using a diamond blade color does penetrate... It that collect dirt and dust like carpets and hardwood Interlocking tabs that snap! White film you don ’ t failed yet t failed yet than 1/8 in and grout! A common problem is edge chatter where the meet of your choice about tile, stone, or a stone... Against each other without leaving any gaps in between to our newsletter and get exclusive deals you wont find else. Outlets product experts about how to ensure that your travertine floor will add value to any.! Chalk lines should cross at the midpoint of the travertine tiles don ’ even. New, fresh grout common problem is edge chatter where the meet prevent reoccurring and! Dust but it does n't need to apply a deep penetrating sealer granite and marble tile i i!

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