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Methods of Installing Stone Tile

Tom

I have seen travertine installed using two different installation methods. One was a full spread of mortar/thinset on the floor & back buttering of the tile, the other was 6-8 dobs or piles of mortar/thinset on ths back of the tile. Which one is the preferred method of installation, & what are the advantages or disadvantages of one over the other if there are any?

Thanks
Dan

Hello Dan,

I have not seen a certified installation method for floors that stipulates using drops or piles of mortar on the back of the stone tile.

There are some pretty strong adhesives in the marketplace, but the problem is that doing this will create hollow sounding tiles. For wall installations, this might be adequate and sufficient under the right circumstances.

Best wishes,
Tom Cordova

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 11th, 2006 at 7:07 pm and is filed under Answers to Travertine Questions..., Installation Issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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  1. January 3rd, 2007 at 2:32 pm

    I’m having a handywan lay the travertine on my bathroom. He broke coupe pieces for each cut. He said it’s normal for travertine but I don’t buy him.
    Would you please instruct me how to cut the travertine ? Do
    we need to soak it before or use any seal on its back.( I know that he did use a right blade saw).
    Thank you