wrote:
We're adding a outdoor balcony, veranda, and pool deck and want to
cover it in 18 inch sqare travertine. We've found a Turkish stone that
is lightly tumbled (edges rough, partly unfilled but partly smooth).
It has the colors we like and is at a price we can afford ($5.25 per
square foot).
Travertine is beautiful, long lasting, and it gives the kind of Italian
look we want, but

1. I'm concerned about it becoming slippery when wet. Is that going
to be a problem?
Is this related to the sealant? What can I do, if I use this, to make
it less slippery.

2. the unfilled holes: are these going to be a problem? I don't expect
or even want a perfectly clean smooth tile surface outside, so that
doesn't bother me. But are there other problems I should be concerned
about.

I live in Columbia SC so the weather is generally warm with very
infrequent freezes. I'm told the light travertine stone is relatively
cool on the feet in the hot sun.

thanks
--Don


I have done an experiment with a tumbled surface travertine sample. The
surface had NO visible unfilled areas. Got the stone VERY wet, put it
down on carpet and put my foot on it and PUSHED, The stone slipped on
the carpet before my foot skidded off the surface.

All travertine has voids in it, you pay for the fewest number and
smallest number of voids. www.marblemaster.com even explains the
difference and prices the quality levels differently.

Best Quality 18inch brushed travertine from MarbleMaster goes for $4.39
sq/Ft and shipping is free if 2000 Sq Ft or more are in the order.
OTOH, it is a freight shipment, and YOU are responsible for having a
suitable forklift available to unload the pallets (3240 lbs for 360 sq
ft. - each 7/16 inch thick tile weighs 14 pounds).