Laying travertine outside on the roof of an extension

[GatesheadCol]

Hi Guys,

Ive been asked to lay travertine tiles on an outside area. The roof of an extension to be exact. The roof is structurally very strong, enough to take the weight. It has been laid with felt however this is being ripped up and covered with 18mm WBP ply.

Firstly is travertine suitable for outside areas in our climate? North east englands to be exact. Im actually thinking of not doing it because ive only doen 2 floors in travertine and although very successfully installed the thought of these tiles cracking with moisture and freezing terrifies me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, or if another tiler in the north east fancies taking it on, as I now work full time too then give me a shout.

 

[doug boardley]

i've always thought that trav was for interior use only Col, altho' I could be wrong. Can you ring the manufacturer to see if they approve? Doubtless other tilers will soon have their input too

 

[GatesheadCol]

The guy has imported them direct as his business is fireplace surrounds unfortunately. I have read differing opinions on travertine , it can be used outside but the thinking seemss to suggest that our climate is not really suitable for it.

TBH Im terrified of this one lol

One website suggested they should not be laid outside with mortar, just laid over a suitably flat and even surface - Dont get that one unless a bed of sand or soemthing was used.

 

[nybor62]

i would,nt advise fix trav outside on to a timber floor ,the change in weather temps will warp the timber
over time and hurt the integrity of the tile

 

[Pebbs]

I couldnt believe what I was reading, travertine is absolutely not suitable for this type of installation. This is a fragile material riddled with air pockets, even with applying a sealer this will eventually wear away and leave the material to absorb water which will eventually break it down.
Save yourself the grief and walk away...
Pebbs

 

[TT Tiling]

walk away . save your self time and money

 

[doug boardley]

phew:hurray: at first I thought that maybe an exterior trav must have come onto the market:lol:

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I've got 22mm thick Travertine on my Patio.
You all had me worried for a moment there I was beginning to think this was a man made product and even though it had been outside for millions of years it wasn't suitable!:lol:

 

[DHTiling]

I find some replys very strange from tilers...

Travertine is fine outside.. totally fine.... the thing that isn't fine is the substrate they intend to fit..Personally i would be looking at un-coupling it as well ...I would use the 12mm Aqua type panels glued and screwed and then Ditra..

But trust me, travertine is fine outside..

 

[doug boardley]

we live and learn

 

[doug boardley]

I must admit that I always thought that because it was so porous it would shatter with the freeze/thaw fluctuations. As TJ says, it has been around for billions of years, but this is underground John, and not really subject to frost (imo)

 

[Time's Ran Out]

The thing is Doug the 12mm travertine you have fixed in interior bathrooms is not the product I would find suitable for outside work IMHO.
And as Dave has pointed out its the substrate that is the issue for this balcony and its preparation.

 

[Pebbs]

I have yet to see a travertine roof....enough said

 

[nybor62]

the romans used it outside they did,nt have sealents back then. but hey what have the romans ever donr for us

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I have yet to see a travertine roof....enough said

I got the impression the roof area was going to be a balcony!