First big Travertine job

[gallo]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and hope the experts can offer me some advice. I'm about to embark on my first travertine job at home. I'm not a skilled tiler but this time last year i ceramic tiled my bathroom wall to wall and floor with tumbled travertine border and shelves with very satisfactory results. I'm fitting a new kitchen in a few weeks (20th November) and have bought classic honed and filled travertine for the whole floor area. I'm doing the whole floor for a good seal despite half of it being covered by cupboards and utilities. I wonder if you could answer a few questions for me:

1. Can classic travertine (honed and filled - picture attached - hopefully) be stained, with what product
2. What adhesive should i use and how much for 8m2 area
3. What color grout would be recommended for classic (or darker) travertine. Should i use gray or try to match the travertine
4. What sealant should i use and where from, in fact where should i get all these products.

It's going onto an acrylic solution treated plywood - laid on top of pine floorboards. I have an electric diamond wet tile saw for the job.

Would really appreciate any advice. I'm in South Yorkshire.

[MICK the Tiler]

Why would you want to stain that beautiful tile?

[gallo]

Anyway, i'm fitting an oak kitchen and the classic travertine might be a bit light and i'm thinking that something like noce or walnut or a slight hue in the direction of Umbrian Gold might do it.
I got the travertine for £9 m2, hence snapping it up.

PS I really like your avatar picture. i make guitar valve amps for a living.

[MICK the Tiler]

Anyway, i'm fitting an oak kitchen and the classic travertine might be a bit light and i'm thinking that something like noce or walnut or a slight hue in the direction of Umbrian Gold might do it.
I got the travertine for £9 m2, hence snapping it up.

PS I really like your avatar picture. i make guitar valve amps for a living.

Don't you like the floor under the guitar it's Travetine with marble inlay took 2 weeks to cut and lay that floor. And the clients guitars get all the praise every time..............Go Figure.


I certainly would not stain them, i think the colour would be fine with oak. I'd grout with a colour that matched the tile as close as possible.

[gallo]

I think that floor looks fantastic under the guitars and i really like classic travertine, but just wondered how practical it would be in the kitchen being so light.

[TilingLogistics]

If you seal the floor with a good quality premium sealer such as Aqua Mix Sealers Choice Gold you will have no problems with it. The original colour will not be affected whatsoever. The important thing to remember is not to skimp when sealing it is much better that the sealer is breathable and therefore allows the air to the stone. Problems start arising with all natural stone when you clog it up! If you are intent on Enhancing the colour then I would use Aqua Mix Enrich & Seal however, try both on a small sample first and allow it to dry for 24 hours then make up your mind.

Kev

[gallo]

Thanks for your advice. I've just nipped into a shop where they recommended Aqua Mix Sealers Choice Gold (£29 a bottle) and tested it out on my sample and sure enough, it did not enhance at all. He did not have any of the Aqua Mix Enrich & Seal though or mention it, just cheaper products that he said would need doing every two years. I'd rather do the longer lasting one, but need to test it on the sample to see how much it enriches.

[Dave]

You could try this product from Lithofin..and is available to order all CTD...


Main Section > MN Stain Stop Plus - 1L

[gallo]

That looks good in that it says it enhances the colour, but it needs redoing after 2 years. I want something that enhances colour and lasts a long time like AQUA MIX SEALERS CHOICE GOLD.

[MICK the Tiler]

I think if you have to re-seal after 2 years in a heavy traffic area that is very good value, Natural stone does take more ongoing maintenance to keep it in tip top shape and looking great. Personally I re-seal my trav floor in my home every year it's been down for 10 years and looks better today than when I fixed it.

[TilingLogistics]

I think if you have to re-seal after 2 years in a heavy traffic area that is very good value, Natural stone does take more ongoing maintenance to keep it in tip top shape and looking great. Personally I re-seal my trav floor in my home every year it's been down for 10 years and looks better today than when I fixed it.

Mick,

Get yourself some Aqua Mix. Australians are one of the biggest users of it!!! Application required every 15 years save yourself tons of work mate

Kev