Advice for first tilng job using travertine

[hellooooooooooo]

Hi there

First job of tiling and I am using travertine. Dont want to use rapid set as I want to take my time and not be under pressure. What would you recommend and what else should I be aware of. Thanks

 

[DHTiling]

The weight of the tiles to the substrate if it's walls...

Colour blending depending on stone shading.

The flatness of the substrate.

Hit us back with questions as you have them.

 

[smurf21]

Your very Brave taking on travertine on your first tiling job.....BUT the forums will try and guide you through some more info first tho is required....as the pitfalls are numerous.....

substrate
size of tile
honed or not
filled unfilled
cutting equip available to you
area m2 to tile

and we will try to be of assistance

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Why not fast set!

Don't mix up more than you can use in 20mins - when you fix the tiles to the walls they stay where you put them and there is no suction back as it dries. IMO a better finish.

Timeless John.

 

[incetilingltd]

Also i have found travertine to be one of the most unforgiving tiles when it comes to movement ie. tiles crack. So make sure the walls/floor totally secure and always make sure the tiles are spotlessly clean before sealing.

 

[hellooooooooooo]

Honed and filled straight cut, 30.5mm square, freshly plastered walls (plastered over breeze blocks), floor area of 4m2 and walls 13sm, only tiling half way and full way in shower

What preparation - I have already sealed them once using Fila impregator from Topps
Please explain the easiest possible way forward ie what spacers to use, easiest pattern for walls and floors

If I choose to use slow setting adhesive will that cause problems if the stone sucks up too much moisture?

 

[doug boardley]

when you say "plastered" do you mean skimmed? if so, Trav will probably be to heavy for this substrate

 

[hellooooooooooo]

Im not sure during our makeover the old plasterboard came away when removing the old tiles so we were left witht eh breeze blocks and then got the walls replastered ready for the new tiles?

 

[doug boardley]

what colour/texture is the plaster, is it sand and cement render or is it a "pinky" gypsum plaster?

 

[hellooooooooooo]

it is all pinky

 

[doug boardley]

gypsum based then:yikes: I'd reconsider the travertine then, as plastered walls will only hold 20kg per square metre. Travertine will be heavier than this I'm afraid

 

[hellooooooooooo]

will it be safe to use ceramic tiles then? or what other options would you suggest? Floor to ceiling in the shower (900mm quadrant) would that be ok for ceramic tiles?

 

[DHTiling]

will it be safe to use ceramic tiles then? or what other options would you suggest? Floor to ceiling in the shower (900mm quadrant) would that be ok for ceramic tiles?

Yep""..

 

[Nkayjay]

I'm with all the above, depending on the thickness the trav will be too heavy for a skim. There are loads of really good travertine effect ceramics and porcelains available on the market now and they wont need any of the sealing and wet cutting the trav will take. So a better choice for a first job IMHO.