Hi. I'm sure that other people will have more detailed advice but I just installed 250' of 18"x18" Travertine for a friend and learned the following;
1). A sound subfloor is even more important than usual - with natural stone being often porous and somewhat fragile untill installed properly.
2).Backbutter - (skim coat of thinset on back of tile in addition to trowelled cement base) - also to add strength to porous stone and eliminate voids.
3). Apparently you are supposed to seal your stone BEFORE grouting as well as an application to seal grout. (A more experienced tradesman may correct me on this!)
4). Go through your boxes and sort stone into rough shade groups before you start. Natural stone is unique but it is possible to end up with a floor with many of the same looking tile in one area making it look patchy and not very natural at all!
5). Get good advice on the correct trowel size to use - the correct mud bed is very important.
Pro's - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about any of this! Cheers, Kiwi
No probs. Also remember to check each piece pretty carefully before you install. There are sometimes hairline cracks due to natural mineral veins that are hard to see. Easier to use these peices for cuts than to take out later!
usakiwi, where r u from? have you been in this business for a long time. i've been doing tile for about 1 1/2 years, but i just got my lic from the state in july of this year.
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