Dear Maurizio, I appreciate all of your down to earth, myth-defying knowledge on stone. I am about to purchase what in France is called aged travertine tiles (10x10cm). that means tumbled I presume (it has very worn edges and holes ? I will place a couple of rows around the bathtub and behind the sink (a water repellent stucco on the walls). I am going for an antique look. What should be the distance between the tiles? If I understand well, I shouldn't seal the tiles, but I should fill the holes with what you call "caulk". They sell a solvent-free colored silicone for that purpose in Europe. Is that good to use or should I use grouting to fill the holes? Which reminds me, what should I use as the grouting (preferably something that could matches its beige color)? I read something on grouting for floor tiles, but am not sure if this is applicable for raw plaster walls and brick. Any other advice or precautions would be great! Thank you so much, Kali.

 

Dear Kali:

Why, thank you for your nice words!

 

“ what in France is called aged travertine tiles (10x10cm). that means tumbled I presume ”

 

Hoo-la-la! Well, you know the French, right? They've gotta come up with some fancy name all the time to keep the price up! J

 

“ They sell a solvent-free colored silicone for that purpose in Europe . ”

 

No fancy French name for that?!?... J

That's “your man”. Actually, you could even use a clear one, so that you can still see the holes in their natural hue. No matter what the color, it is, very defionitely, much better than sand less grout to fill the holes of tumbled travertine. (Oops, pardonez moi: I meant “aged travertine”!...)

 

“ Which reminds me, what should I use as the grouting (preferably something that could matches its beige color)? ”

 

You're out of luck here. I'm no interior decorator and I am 25% colorblind to boot!! L

Use sanded grout keeping a gap of approximately 3 to 4 mm. (1/8”).

 

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm? We already have quite a few from the UK, a couple from Denmark, three or four from Germany, but no one from France as of now…

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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