Whether outdoor travertine should be grouted depends entirely on how the stones are installed.
Bottom Line – Do you grout outdoor travertine pavers?:
If you want a natural, flexible, and low-maintenance installation, skip the grout and use sand-filled joints. If you prefer a sleek, more permanent look and your pavers are installed over concrete, grouting is a good option — just be prepared for occasional upkeep.
Travertine is not out of style in 2026; it is experiencing a major comeback. As interior design shifts away from cool grays toward earthy, warm tones, travertine is highly sought after for its texture, organic variation, and ability to create serene, spa-like environments.
Contractors often skip sealing grout because it adds significant time to the build, which drives up labor costs. Some modern grout types already have sealers built into the mix, or are made of epoxy, completely eliminating the need for sealing. Additionally, many builders purposefully avoid sealing to prevent trapping moisture underneath the tile.
In short, grouting and sealing are not optional—they're foundational to a successful travertine tile installation. Understanding how and when to apply these protective measures will help preserve the beauty, strength, and integrity of your surfaces for years to come.
To fill the holes in the tumbled travertine, we recommend using a pre-packaged grout in a complementary colour to the stone. We do not recommend grouting travertine with a sand/cement mix as this will discolour quickly – the coloured grout option will work best.
Travertine is a beautiful natural stone, but it has significant drawbacks. Its biggest disadvantages are its high porosity (which makes it absorb liquids and stain easily) and its softness, which leaves it vulnerable to scratches, chips, and acid etching.
The best grout for travertine is epoxy grout or a high-quality, polymer-modified cement grout. The ideal choice depends on your joint width and application area, but epoxy is widely preferred for its stain resistance, waterproof nature, and lack of required sealing.
Common grouting mistakes involve incorrect mixing, improper tool techniques, and bad timing. These errors often lead to weak, cracked, or discolored grout lines.
Sealing grout is not always necessary and comes with several practical drawbacks. The primary disadvantages include trapping moisture, ongoing maintenance, and the risk of application errors.
Vinegar will chemically damage travertine. Because travertine is primarily calcium carbonate, the acid in vinegar eats away at the stone's surface upon contact. This reaction creates "etched" marks—dull, discolored, or rough spots that resemble a chemical burn.
The most popular color of travertine is Ivory/Cream (often referred to simply as "Classic"). Travertine is also highly sought after in several other prominent shades, depending on the design aesthetic.
Outdated tile colors generally include dark brown-beiges, heavy cool grays, bright pastel shades, and overused glossy white subway tiles. Designers recommend avoiding these in favor of warmer neutrals and organic, nature-inspired hues.
Travertine tiles in outdoor applications like patio, alfresco, stairways or pool side, particularly need sealing to prevent moisture damage and stains. The same applies to indoor Travertine tiles. Travertine is porous and can absorb liquids, which leads to stains. Sealing helps create a protective layer against spills.
The absolute best grout for outdoor pavers is two-part epoxy grout (such as ProJoint Titan or Joint-It Dynamic). It is non-porous, highly flexible, weed-resistant, and won't crack under heavy weight or harsh freeze-thaw cycles.
Yes, Dawn dish soap is generally safe for travertine, provided it is heavily diluted, you use a mild formulation, and you rinse the stone thoroughly. However, it is best reserved as a spot-cleaner rather than an everyday maintenance product.
Contractors often skip sealing grout because many modern premium grouts (like high-performance cement or epoxy) are formulated with built-in sealers and do not require it. Others avoid it to save time, avoid hazardous chemical fumes, or prevent warranty complications if a repair is needed.
When things go wrong, it usually happens like this: Hairline cracks, pinholes or gaps appear in the grout between tiles. Water passes through these weak points and reaches the membrane. If the membrane is damaged, poorly installed or has degraded with age, water seeps past it.
Achieving a flawless grout job comes down to proper preparation, exact mixing ratios, and impeccable timing. The most critical mistakes to avoid include: using the wrong grout type for your joint size, over-watering the mixture, and wiping the tiles down too early.
But some debris will remain. As the stone is a natural product, the holes will also attract mould and mildew. As such, we recommend grouting both the paver joints and the entire paver.
DON'T use abrasive scrub pads or powders
Scouring pads, steel wool, and abrasive powders scratch travertine's surface, creating dull tracks and exposing raw stone to staining. Even 'soft scrub' products contain micro-abrasives that accumulate damage over time. Use only soft microfiber cloths and soft-bristle brushes.
Yes, you should highly consider sealing travertine before grouting. Because travertine is a highly porous natural stone, unsealed tiles can absorb pigments and moisture from the grout, which can permanently stain the stone or make cleaning the grout haze incredibly difficult.
Yes — travertine can absolutely be used outside. It's a natural stone that performs beautifully in outdoor settings when installed and sealed correctly.
On average, you can expect to pay no more than $1.50* per square foot to clean and seal your stone. You should also consider polishing your stone for an additional $1.50* per square foot. For more information, check out our Natural Stone Cleaning Page. (*Prices subject to change.
While travertine is a premium natural stone, it is often a more budget-friendly alternative to luxury materials like marble and granite. The cost typically falls in the mid-range of natural stones, influenced by factors such as its grade, finish (honed vs. polished), and rarity of color.