Unfilled travertine in shower stall

I know that unfilled/tumbled travertine needs to be filled if I am to use it in the bathroom, but I'm trying to find out if I can use regular unsanded grout, or if I need to use another specific product. I know you recommend using sanded grout between the tiles to maintain the rustic look, but is there any structural reason to do so? If I could do just one grouting application with unsanded grout to fill the holes and the joints at the same time, it would be my preference. Also, I'm assuming we need to tint the grout? How? I hesitate to trust the people at tile stores because of the misinformation one generally gets from them... Thank you so much for all the info you provide on the website, and any insight you can provide me personally. Cheers, Melissa

 

Dear Melissa:

Unsanded grout will not fill many smaller holes.

 

“ I know you recommend using sanded grout between the tiles to maintain the rustic look, but is there any structural reason to do so? ”

 

No particular structural reason. Well, yes, it becomes a structural issue if you leave a grout gap more than 1/8”. In that case, you do need sanded grout.

 

Now, it seems to me like you're about to do the install yourself. If that's the case, why don't you take your time and do things righter than right?

Let me tell you what I would do if it were my own shower.

 

First off, the reason why I'd choose unfilled travertine is because I like the look of the holes. So, why get rid of that look, if it possible to preserve it?

I would therefore proceed to fill the holes in the lose tiles – before installation – with clear silicone. And even if my wife decides that she prefer color-matching filler, I would still use latex-based siliconized caulk of the color to match.

Nothing beats that stuff as filler: water-proof, stain-less and mildew resistant.

After that I would install the pre-filled tiles and would let my wife decide on the grout gap. Within 1/8” it would be sand-less grout. More than that it would be sanded. J

 

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