How to Lay a Travertine Floor (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Travertine is a very beautiful and quite common material with which to renovate the house. Whether you want to create a travertine backsplash in the kitchen or you want to lay the tiles in different rooms, you can save a lot of money by doing the work yourself. Laying the travertine floor requires appropriate tools, a little time and a good dose of patience.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Floor Area

Step 1. Remove any previous cover types

Whether you are installing a backsplash or paving a room, you will need to remove the existing cover. Therefore you may need to remove carpet or vinyl flooring, remove tiles, peel off wallpaper etc.

Many of these jobs can be a separate and lengthy project, but you can find help here: Removing the Floor Tiles, Removing the Carpet and Removing the Wallpaper

Step 2. Measure the area where you want to lay the tiles

Take the precise measurements. You will need to calculate the total of the area in square meters in order to know exactly how many tiles to buy.

Step 3. Buy everything you need

Once you have started work, you will not want to stop because you are missing tiles, cement adhesive (mortar) or anything else, so buy everything first. Ask for advice at the store where you buy the material to find out how much cement adhesive it takes for your particular job. In addition, you will need buckets to mix the mortar, trowels to spread it, sponges to clean and a tile cutter to cut pieces to cover corners and edges.

Inevitably, some tiles will be thrown away because they break or crack during work, so be sure to buy more.
Due to the unique color of the travertine, it is not bad to have a few matching tiles in stock, in case some break in the street.

Step 4. Prepare the surface for installation

Once you have removed the previous covering and with all the necessary material at hand, you will need to prepare the surface where you will lay the tiles.

If you are laying the tiles on a wall to create a backsplash, then you will need to remove all the switch plates and use an 80-grit sandpaper to sand the wall by hand. This will create a rougher surface on the paint that will bind better to the cementitious adhesive. After sanding, remove dust from the wall using a damp cloth.
To lay a travertine floor you will need to have a clean and flat surface, so you will need to remove any residue from the previous covering and sweep well to remove all debris and dust. If you have a wooden subfloor instead of concrete, roll out a 1cm layer of concrete subfloor to create an even subfloor.

Part 2 of 3: Laying the Travertine Tiles

Step 1. Mark the midpoint of the area to be covered

Whether you're laying a floor or a backsplash, mark the midpoint of the surface. This way you will make sure you start at the center point of the room and the tiles will be symmetrical about this point.

If you are laying a floor, mark the midpoint of all sides of the room to find the exact center. Draw lines with chalk and double-check the result using a carpenter's square.
If you are making a backsplash, you will only need to find the midpoint horizontally, but you will need to mark this point with a vertical chalk line along the wall. Use a spirit level to make sure the line is straight.

Step 2. Compose the tile pattern

With the plan ready and the center marked, you can now compose the tile pattern. Start with the central grid and place the tiles as you go, leaving the spaces to put the spacers, which will then become the joints.

For the backsplash, you will need to measure the area precisely and test by placing the tiles on the ground since you cannot keep them against the wall to check the pattern.
When laying a floor, you can use the spaces you have left for the stucco to draw a grid with chalk that will serve as a reference.

Step 3. Mix the cement adhesive

You won't have to prepare all the mortar in one go. Mix small parts in a 20-liter bucket. As you progress, you will understand your pace of work and how much mortar you need. Whatever amount you prepare must be consumed within 2 hours.

Whether you are laying a floor or a backsplash, the cement adhesive must have the consistency of puree when you mix it

Step 4. Spread the grout over a small area

Start with the area where you drew the initial chalk lines and spread out enough adhesive that you can lay two or three tiles to begin with. Use the edge of a notched trowel angled about 45 degrees to spread the mortar. You will need to have a thin, even layer before you can lay the tiles.

You will need to scrape the surface lightly with the putty knife to get an even layer.
On the layer of cementitious adhesive you will have grooves formed by the teeth of the trowel. They will be used to let the air out during the drying of the mortar.

Step 5. Lay the first tiles

Place the first tile flush with the center lines drawn with chalk. For a backsplash, the easiest procedure to do is to follow lines. When laying a floor, it is easiest to start from one of the right angles formed by the center lines and work following the quadrants formed by these lines.

Step 6. Place the spacers

Once the tiles are in place, be sure to place the spacers between them to keep space for later grouting.

Step 7. Check that everything is level

Every two or three tiles, check with a spirit level that the surface is flat and even. If you want to take every precaution to make sure the surface remains flat, you can also purchase a leveling system consisting of threaded pegs, to be inserted between the spacers, and knobs that you can gently tighten on the surface of the tiles to eliminate the unevenness and hold them in place. position.

Step 8. Gradually clean up any excess mortar

Do not worry if some cementitious adhesive ends up on the surface of the tile. You can use a damp sponge to get rid of it.

Step 9. Cut the tiles to be placed around the baseboard

When you are near the edges of the surface, you will need to cut some tiles to fit the remaining spaces. Measure precisely the surface to be covered (also taking into account any spacers) and transfer these measurements to the tile with a pencil. Then use a water-based tile cutter to fit the tiles.

If you don't know how to use a tile cutter, ask an expert or your trusted dealer for advice.
Since they are not very cheap machines, you may want to try renting it from a specialist shop.
Be especially careful when cutting tiles to be placed near power outlets.

Part 3 of 3: Grouting and Sealing the Tiles

Step 1. Wait for the grout to dry

Before applying the grout you have to wait until the adhesive has completely dried which, depending on the brand you bought, the consistency it had when you applied it, the temperature and humidity of the air, can mean waiting from 24 48 hours.

Since the spaces between the tiles allow air to escape, it is essential not to grout until the drying process is complete

Step 2. Apply the putty

After removing the spacers and any leveling system, you can apply the putty. Mix the grout with water until it forms a thick paste and apply it with a grout trowel that helps you both push the grout into the joints and level it.

Since travertine is a porous material and can be stained, a white putty must be used

Step 3. Remove any excess grout with a damp sponge

Since the grout dries quickly, work on small portions at a time and use a damp sponge to wipe off any grout residue from the tiles. The drying time of the putty will depend on the brand you have chosen, but it is clearly indicated on the packaging.

Step 4. Use a travertine sealer

To keep your new floor or backsplash healthy, you should apply a floor sealer. Most sealants require you to wait two weeks before application. For more information see how to Seal Travertine Marble.

Advice

The sealant is essential. You can choose a "wet effect" that highlights the colors of the stone or an opaque one.
The chiseled travertine is ideal for beginners because it allows to hide any "mistakes".