Simple Kitchen Backsplash Ideas: Travertine Tile Installation?
May 28, 2009
lan to install 18X18 travertine as kitchen backsplash over existing sheetrock. Have some experience with ceramic tile in flooring and backsplash.
Should I use thinset or mastic to bond the tiles to the sheetrock?
For the bonding material recommended, what size trowel notch?
How close can I install the tiles to each other, i.e., how thin can I make the grout lines?
I suspect travertine is more fragile than ceramic. How much trouble will I have cutting openings for switches, etc? What is the best way to cut these openings?
Posted in Kitchen Tile Backsplash
content rss
May 28th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
An 18" tile should do nicely as most countertop to bottom of the cabinet heights are right at 18" providing there isn't already a partial backsplash. When ever you are planning to install a Natural Stone like Travertine you need to use a thinset and preferably a "white" thinset rather than grey. Mastic is mostly for wall tile application where the material is Ceramic tile and less that 8" square. Anything 8" and larger should be installed using thinset because it typically will take additional setting material to install a larger format tile and it would take Mastic simply too long to cure out and set. The trowel I would use is always dictated by what and how big the material I am setting is. For your application I would use a 1/2"x1/2" square notch trowel. I would first skim (key) the wall with the adhesive and then skim the tile and then comb the setting layer over that and apply it to the wall. Most standard installs employ a 1/8" joint but I like to use smaller than that typically 1/16". Another option is to simply butt joint them. I installed a Travertine 12×12 in my Powder Bath @ wainscot height and stacked and butt joined them all around the room and it looks just like the day I installed it 4 years ago..no cracks no pinholes, now missing grout. It was an unfilled Marble so I grouted the whole thing with a nonsanded grout and everything got filled including the slight chamfered joint and it turned out terrific. Travertine is indeed a lot more fragile than a Ceramic tile so you need to be careful how you handle the material. When it comes to the outlets and switches I always used a small hand grinder the 4" size and a ceramic tile wheel. I just dry cut the carefully marked outline and plunge cut from both sides the layout for the box and it always works out fine if you take your time and if you lay the tile out flat when making the cut, I like to use a piece of plywood 2'x2' and cut the tile on that off of a couple saw horses ok? Thats it Ray, I hope this helps you with your project, feel free to return anytime…by the way, remember "not" to skim or float the wall where the switches and plugs are as you go as you may have to hold up the piece a few times getting the proper layout and placement. Once the opening has been properly formed you can then skim the wall and skim and comb the piece.You can refer to this blog which show you a articles and pictures of kitchen backsplash ideas and tips to get idea for kitchen backsplash.Simple Kitchen Backsplash Ideas article:http://simple-kitchen-backsplash-ideas.blogspot.comTips for Kitchen Backsplash Ideas article:http://kitchen-backsplash-ideas2.blogspot.comTips for Kitchen Cabinets Ideas article:http://kitchen-cabinets-ideas.blogspot.comKitchen Decorating Ideas and Kitchen Backsplash Ideas VIDEOShttp://simple-kitchen-backsplash-ideas.blogspot.com/2009/05/tips-for-simple-kitchen-backsplash.html