Maurizio I prefer to use a tumbled marble or travertine in a shower stall but I was told that it is maintenance intensive and had the propensity to stain (even from grout). Is this true? If I can use marble/travertine, will it last for twenty years or longer and can I use 1/4 inch grout lines on 4 x 4 size? bibidwell@comcast.net

 

Bill:

"Is this true?" No, it is totally false.

Tunbled ,arble or travertine are as tough cookies as they come and are expremely low maintenance.

They are not low intelligence, though!... (But this applies also to ceramic tiles.)

The key factor, as usual, is human. If the installation is done right, you're going to have a shower stalla that you will enojoy for many years to come (well over 20).

Now the $64 question is: how do I know if they will do a good installation?

Log on at, http://www.marblecleaning.org/literature.htm and get the article about maintenance of residential stone installations. In the chapter about shower stalls there's a specific section with very important installation tips.

I can anticipate that your grout gap may be a bit too much. Anywhere between 1/8" and 3/16" is the perfect size, though if done right, even 1/4" will be all right.

 

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?   :-)

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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