6 Easy Steps For Installing Travertine Tile
Travertine tile is regarded as one of the beautiful, classic & a popular tile choice for floors as well as walls, both indoors and outdoors. This type of tile is flexible and timeless in its beauty that will easily transform any space you install it in. Installing travertine is exactly the same as installing any other tile, however, in case of travertine tile, you need to take much care when it comes to installing it. The installation steps consist of preparation, laying the tile, and grouting it in order to keep it all together. Travertine tile can be installed for countertops, flooring, as well as walls. Installing a travertine tile is an easy task which you can perform yourself easily, all you need is correct tools, little amount of time & patience. Go through the below-mentioned steps carefully in order to install a travertine tile:
Step 1: Assemble Your Tools
The installation process of a travertine tile needs some of the important tools, which for that matter are used for the majority of the tile installation process, these tools are listed below:
- Chalk Line & Tape Measure
- Carpenter’s Pencil
- Power Drill & Mixed Paddle
- Notched Trowel & Beater Block
- Rubber Mallet & Grout Float
- 4-Foot Metal Straightedge
- Dry-Cutting Saw & A Wet Saw
Step 2: Prepare Your Tile Installation Surface
The next step is to prepare the surface properly where you are going to install the travertine tile as the surface needs to be even & uniform as well as clean.
- You need to take off any older floor covering, which may include carpet, vinyl, laminate, older tile as well as replace or repair the sub-floor.
- Also, fix any cracks in a concrete slab or protect them with the help of a quality crack suppression system.
- Decaying wood needs to be replaced as well as strengthened properly, as necessary.
Step 3: Lay Out Your Travertine Tiles
Now, it is time to lay your tile out before starting the installation process. As you know that travertine is a natural stone having a lot of variation, therefore, it is important to put it together during the installation process in order to make sure that all the dark pieces or light ones don't finish up grouped together. Put them together, perform a dry run, lay out the travertine pieces and then check their appearance. If in case you have multiple pallets or crates, work out of two or more at a time.
Step 4: Dry The Travertine Tile And Substrate
Wet travertine cannot be installed easily, therefore, it is extremely important to make the tile as well as the substrate entirely dry before you begin installing the travertine tiles.
Step 5: Use A White Thin set With Travertine Tile
The best option to use a white thin set is using it with lighter Travertine. You need to keep in mind that Travertine is absorbent, a gray or dark thin set can darken or flush the stone. You also need to make sure to blend the thin set to a sticky peanut butter regularly.
Step 6: Seal The Travertine Tile
There are many installers who will suggest sealing the travertine tile before & after installation & some will suggest sealing before & after grouting, nevertheless, you have to seal the travertine tile. Two of the most common sealers include Enhancing and Natural sealers. Enhancing sealers will make the stone shady & give it a ‘wet’ appearance. Natural sealers provide the same protection without replacing the stone's appearance. Sealing your travertine tile is important after installing it in order to safeguard it from any damage.