travertine installation

I just wanted to confirm my understanding of the installation of honed and filled travertine. I will be having it installed in flooring (kitchen, bathrooms, hallways, entrance ways) as well as showers (including a steam shower). Do you see any problem with this product in any of these applications? Also, my understanding is that you recommend 1/16" unsanded grout. I was not sure if that is for all different areas (ie. same for floors and walls)? My final question is whether I should have a sealant applied on this stone in any of these applications. Thanks in advance for your response. Marilyn

 

Dear Marilyn:
I do not see any problem with honed and filled travertine, providing that's a decent grading and that, above all, is installed properly.
Yes the grout line should be 1/16" all over. As for the application of an impregnator I wouldn't go beyond the kitchen. for the rest of the floors the likelyhood of spilling something without realizing is negligeable. (Besides, it takes some doping to stain travertine.) In the shower is optional.
Now remember, it's never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. The issue of what you'll be doing day in and day out to your stone is far more important than its sealing (if and when possible and/or advisable) and it's all too often neglected. As you can tell by reading many of this site's postings, you're not likely to get good information about it from your dealer or installer. Don't become another statistic! By logging into the Helpful Hints section of our website at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/helpful-hints.htm , you will be able to get the short version of our maintenance guidelines at no charge. The full version of it – a 7-page document considered by many as an industry benchmark – is available in pay-per-download format in our Educational Literature section at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/literature.htm . It contains valuable tips on the proper installation of a shower stall, too.
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