Want to learn how to install travertine tiles? Travertine is a beautiful natural stone that looks great just about anywhere in your home.
However, you need to install it correctly. Install it wrong and it can turn into a big headache!
So here’s your step-by-step guide to DIY travertine tile projects.
Want to learn more about travertine? Check out our Travertine Guide.
Floor prep is one of the most important steps to making the rest of the job go easier. It’s also important for keeping your floor crack-free for years to come.
#1: Remove existing flooring, including any adhesive or glue that was used to install it.
#2: In the case of a concrete floor, clean it and check for any high spots that you may need to grind down to create a level surface for your tile.
#3: If you’re installing the travertine over a wood subfloor, you’ll need to add an extra underlayment. The most common choice is 1/4″ or 1/2″ cement board. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to install it. This usually involves, nailing or screwing the cement board to the OSB subfloor on top of a layer of thinset mortar.
*Note: You can also use a product like Ditra Underlayment. It’s more expensive than cement board, but easier to work with.
#4: For wall tile, you’ll need to make sure the surface is clean and level. For places like kitchen backsplashes, you can install travertine over drywall. But in places like showers or tub surrounds, you need to install cement board and seal it with a waterproofing membrane.
*Installing travertine in showers and tub surrounds is more complicated than other places because of the waterproofing needs, so it’s best to leave those projects to the professionals.
Now it’s time to lay out the wall tile. This is important whether you’re installing floor or wall tile. However, keep in mind that how you lay out your tile will depend a lot on where you’re installing it.
If you’re installing a travertine backsplash, here’s how you can figure out where to start.
#1: Find the midpoint of the wall.
#2: Use a level to create a vertical line at the midpoint
#3: Measure the width of your tile, including the grout joint.
#4: Measure from the midpoint to see how big of a piece you’ll have at the ends.
#5: If it’s larger than 1/2 a tile, then you can start installing with the edge of a tile on the midpoint line.
#6: If the edge piece is smaller than 1/2 a tile, then start installing the tile with the midpoint line in the center of a full tile.
#7: In most cases, you should start with a full tile on top of the countertop.
#8: Measure from the midpoint to see how the joints will fall around windows, cabinets, and doors to make sure you won’t have any tiny, hard-to-cut pieces.
*See the next point for more info on sticking the tiles.
The process for laying out and installing travertine flooring is similar to what you do with walls. For a large space (larger than a bathroom) here’s how you can lay out the tile and determine where to start installing it.
#1: Follow similar steps to the previous section for finding the midpoint and adjusting the tile accordingly. However, this time you need to do it both length and widthwise. This will give you a center point to start from.
#2: Use a framing square to make sure the intersecting lines are square.
#3: Mix thinset according to the manufacturer’s instructions. (It should be about the consistency of mashed potatoes). Use white thinset for travertine. Dark thinset can soak into the stone and affect its color.
#4: Use a 1/4″ notched trowel (or larger trowel for large format stone tiles and uneven floors) to spread the mortar on the floor. Hold the trowel at a consistent angle to spread an even amount of grout.
#5: Place the tile and press it down to set it into the mortar. (You can also use a soft rubber mallet.)
#6: The first few tiles are the most important. Place a few in a diagonal pattern and check them to make sure they are square and level.
#7: Don’t forget tile spacers in the joints.
#7: Use a damp sponge to clean any excess mortar material from the joints or tile surface.
#8: Use a tile snap cutter or tile saw to cut pieces for around the edges.
*Important! Since travertine is a natural stone, there will be variations in the colors of the tile. Keep this in mind as you place the tiles so that all the tiles of one color don’t end up in the same place.
#1: Mix the grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions to form a paste (about a peanut butter consistency)
#2: Spread it with a grout float, working the grout into the joints. As you go, try to clean as much excess grout from the tile surface as possible with the float.
#3: Use water and a large sponge to clean the surface of the tiles. Just be careful not to dig into the grout lines.
#4: You’ll probably have to get clean water several times.
#5: Come back a day later and with a dry sponge or cloth and rub off any haze the grout left.
#6: Apply a sealer to prevent staining in the future.
Here are a few tips that’ll make your travertine tile installation go smoother.
#1: Keep the joints clean. Excess thinset that’s dried in the joints is really hard to remove. And cleaning it out can damage the tile.
#2: When grouting, change your water often and work in small areas. If you wait too long to clean the grout, it will be harder to clean with a wet sponge.
#4: Don’t rush the floor prep and layout steps. They will help the rest of your job go much better.
#5: It’s important to apply a sealer to the surface once you’re done. This will keep the tile looking nice even after spills.
#5: Travertine tub surrounds and showers NEED a waterproofing membrane. If the surface underneath is not waterproof, water will seep through the joints and into the building’s structure causing rot and mold.
Planning a travertine tile project? Why not hire the professionals and get it done right!
If you’re in the Garland, Dallas, Texas area, give the travertine experts at A&X Masonry a call. Get your FREE consultation today!