Travertine : can/should it be laid flat?

[AllyCa]

I've had a travertine floor fitted in my new kitchen. Many of the tiles are flat and level against each other with nice light grouting between. But several have a significant difference between the levels, so you can see and feel the side of the tile. When you stand at the kitchen door and look over the whole floor you don't only see the grouting between the tiles - there are several spots where it's dark because you're looking at the side of the tile. The fitter says this is normal/to be expected with natural stone tiles like this. Am I being too fussy? Would really appreciate an idea of what is best (or even, acceptable) practice when it comes to the leveling of a natural stone floor. And what would be the solution to get it looking right, if this isn't it...

 

[Tile Shop]

Are you able to provide images?

I would say they need to be flat, but a height difference of 1mm is allowed by British Standards for a grout width of 6mm or less. (2mm for over 6mm width)

If the tiles are Honed and filled, they should be manufactured to be of a uniform thickness, so a difference of height may then have been caused by inconsistent adhesive beds, or an unlevel floor (which should have been fixed before laying anything).

If the tiles are tumbled Travertine, there may be a very slight difference in thickness's, but this can normally be overcome by adjusting the bed depth or grading the tiles before fixing.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Were they fixed by an experienced stone tiler?

 

[Dan]

Pictures would help. Take some of the worst bits and upload them to your thread.

 

[widler]

Yup, need pictures

 

[Italy]

them, want to the pictures !!!.
them, enjoy to see the images.
you put your pictures?

 

[AllyCa]

Are you able to provide images?

I would say they need to be flat, but a height difference of 1mm is allowed by British Standards for a grout width of 6mm or less. (2mm for over 6mm width)

If the tiles are Honed and filled, they should be manufactured to be of a uniform thickness, so a difference of height may then have been caused by inconsistent adhesive beds, or an unlevel floor (which should have been fixed before laying anything).

If the tiles are tumbled Travertine, there may be a very slight difference in thickness's, but this can normally be overcome by adjusting the bed depth or grading the tiles before fixing.

Thank you so much for this. It is filled and honed Travertine, from Topps Tiles. I've attached some photos and would be interested in your thoughts. Presumably the British Standards allowance is for health & safety (eg trip hazard) rather than what looks right aesthetically?

 

[AllyCa]

Here is the first image, more to follow

 

[AllyCa]

Here are more images...

 

[AllyCa]

Were they fixed by an experienced stone tiler?

He is a general builder but has fitted lots of stone tile floors before. He says they are all like this, because the stone is different thicknesses.