Help! travertine multisize format problems.

**garymondo** · 24-02-2009

Hi all, just wanted to know if i was loosing my mind or if there are other tilers on my wavelength?
I have a customer who has purchased 40m2 of sawn edge travertine in a multisize format. I am supposed to be laying this over underfloor heating i have told her that in this situation joints should really not be under 3mm with natural stone (or ceramics) especially as some of the areas although dukkaboarded are over floorboards.
Now here is where the problems start! the stone is in 4 sizes exact measurements: 600*400 ,400*400, 200*400, 201*201 i have told her that these tiles do not cater for joints so when you lay it out to the pattern the stone company supplied you end up with differing joint size and even butt jointed tiles in some places and 10mm joints in others.It looks worse also because of the sawn edge. The customer can see this and told this to the stone company , they replied that thats how they have always done it never had any problems before and tiles are fine to be layed butt jointed and their reccomended tilers lay them like this all the time.
What should i do ?????

**Dave** · 24-02-2009

Is it the 201x201 that is causing the problem..? with it bieng bigger...

**david campbell** · 24-02-2009

would never butt joint anything mate,especially over ufh,with the heat they will contract and expand,have seen travertine done with 2mm grout lines on many occasions but as i say i wouldn't do this over ufh!

walk away,i know its a lot of money to loose but long term it's your reputation!

**garymondo** · 24-02-2009

It does make it even more of a problem dave but even more so when you have a 600 length tile alongside a 20*40 plus a 20*20 with a joint of 3mm in the middle.Thus total length = 603mm next to the 600 length.

**Dave** · 24-02-2009

What pattern you using....Opus ramano..?

**garymondo** · 24-02-2009

Erm "roman bond" but whatever pattern you used it wouldnt line up properly.

**R Montgomery** · 24-02-2009

Never butt joint unless they are self spacing ceramics.If they don't work,it's stone so cut and finish,price accordingly.

CJ · 24-02-2009

The smaller tiles need slight adjustments on there own

**cj_tiler** · 25-02-2009

love doing this think it looks tops but use a 4/5mm join to allow for size

**chris.tiling** · 25-02-2009

it is the romano opus / multi sheera slate modular pack sizes by the sounds of things. dont butt them up. Should be ok with a mix of 5 mm joint down to a 2.5mm joint. Have just doen 44m2 modular trav and done it all by eye, ensuiring where the joint is squeezed, it is no smaller than 2 / 2.5mm

**tile-jc** · 13-04-2010

Hi - I know it's a long time since this thread has had any activity but I don't get many chances to get on site, as thankfully I am very busy and also like to see my children occasionally!! This thread caught my eye as I have 'been there'.
To business - I have had similar challenges from well known and lesser known stone suppliers in the past. I have found the Mandarin stone layout guides (in the catalogues) indispensible as there are subtle but important differences between the Bella Opus and Romano Opus. My advice is to measure very carefully all component sizes and then do a 'dry' layout. Not good to set an opus like this with less than a 4 mm grout line. Yes, I know clients moan about big grout lines and I don't personally like broad ones but we have to remember why grout is there. And who has tried including expansion joints in an Opus? Love to hear your answers, and how you costed it!
Whilst I usually get great service and support from stone suppliers mistakes do happen. Another issue/preference/comment is why do people choose a multi-size opus in a sawn-edge finish? Derrrrr! It goes against the whole idea of antiquity and the character of the stone and its natural variety and beauty.
Sorry - ranting again. - Hope the former bits help!!