Any experience with travertine tile?

[My Dream]

I hope it spelling it right.

Came upon this tile last weekend on sale for $4.00 per sq. ft. they came in 12"'x12" and 12"x24". We really liked the fact that no two tiles were the same and came to really like the looks of the tile. I did however find the tile to be a bit brittle and could be an issue with installation as well as durability. It also looks a bit porous but the rep stated it could and should be sealed once every 1-2 years.

Any exerience with this tile?

 

[Martha]

We had it in the bath and hall of a former home. It is very porous, I believe more porous than marble. In some places it was pitted, but you didn't notice unless you were down on your hands and knees cleaning. It shouldn't crack if your surface is flat and doesn't flex. We had a few cracked grout lines but no cracked tile.

 

[MissMolly]

We installed this in our hall and guest bath about 7 years ago. We laid cement board first and then the tile on the cement board. We have had no problems at all with cracking and we love the look of the tile. The tiles were a dream to install (compared to slate). I would not hesitate to recommend travertine.

 

[Life_is_Good]

I have it in my entry way.

It seems to be brittle. We have several hair line cracks. Occasionally it gets pitted from women's heals (no... I'm not wearing them!). I've had to fill the pits so they don't enlarge.

While I like the look, I would get something more durable next time.

 

[IBWino]

We have it in our master bath and have had no problems. Small pits/pores get filled with grout and are not a major issue. It is much more prone to cracking than marble if it is not well supported. It's very important to verify that the floor is structurally adequate (i.e. that the floor will not move/flex significantly).

 

[73ss454]

We had it installed around our pool 2 years ago. No problems as of yet and we love many of the features. It does not get hot from the sun and it's not slippery even when wet. There is no reason to seal it as it is a natural stone. Once you start with a sealer it will have to be done at least every year. Most sealants will make it shine at bit but we like the natural look.

 

[IBWino]

I think the reason for using a sealer is to prevent, or at least minimize staining.

 

[Nords]

I did however find the tile to be a bit brittle and could be an issue with installation as well as durability.
Any exerience with this tile?

From what I've read & seen, at this size of tile the underlayment prep is the key-- for example, a couple layers of plywood underneath a cement backerboard to provide the stiffest possible surface. There are also special morters for larger tiles designed to support the larger surface area with less flex. And finally, when you lay the tile you'll probably need a thick layer of thinset (it's actually thicker than thinset but that's the noun) and back-buttering on the tile.

I have no DIY fear but for this material I'd bring in a high-end experienced pro. Otherwise I'd get to do it three times...

We were at two gorgeous open houses last weekend where the owners chose very pretty flooring. Unfortunately no one bothered to take the opportunity to beef up the infrastructure, so a kitchen slate/travertine floor felt very bouncy and a laminated-wood floor was not at all level in just about any direction. 10 years from now both homeowners will be wondering what the heck went wrong.

 

[ERD50]

From what I've read & seen, at this size of tile the underlayment prep is the key-- for example, a couple layers of plywood underneath a cement backerboard to provide the stiffest possible surface. There are also special morters for larger tiles designed to support the larger surface area with less flex.

Another key (at least according to the John Bridge forum guys) is in addition to a solid sub-floor and just using cement backer board, you actually set the backer board in a layer of thin-set, and screw it down while wet. The thinset fills any gaps so that the backer board doesn't rise and fall with steps, which will eventually pull through the screws, then everything is flexing.

I did our 3-season room this way. 13" tiles so I was concerned with cracking, plus it sees the winter cold (though protected, but not heated). When I asked installers about this, they said the NEVER do it that way. But I think it makes a difference, and it is what the cement board people require for their warranty. Ensure that the installer does it that way, it's extra work (I know, I did it) and most skip it.

-ERD50

 

[73ss454]

For around our pool the contractor just laid it down over the dirt. No problems since it was put down 2 years ago.

 

[My Dream]

A lot of mixed reviews, thanks for all the posts everyone. Seems as though we may pass on Travertine since I'm into No maintenance. I don't mind sealing every year but it sounds as though it may not hold up. The person at the tile shop mentioned he wouldn't recomend it for high traffic areas. Although our bathroom isn't high traffic it sort of set off a red flag.

I'm glad to hear several have had good experiences with this tile since it is a beautiful tile.