Grouting travertine tiles: grout bag or float?

Question

I need to grout a travertine tile wall. Tiles are small, pattern of 2x2", 2x4" and 4x4" tiles. The gap is approximately 1/8". Tiles are tumbled, and there are quite a few imperfections, pits, crevices, etc., on the face of the tile.

I cannot decide whether I should use a grout bag or a float to apply the grout.

With grout bag, it's obviously much more work, and I'm not sure I'll be able to tightly pack grout into 1/8" crevice with the bag. But hopefully I will be able to fill just the grout lines, and not fill the crevices on the face of the tile (it won't be possible to get grout out of them with sponging).

With a float, it's much easier (just float and sponge, same as ceramic tile) but I think tiles will look really bad with all these natural holes, crevices, etc. filled with grout.

So, which is the accepted way to deal with grouting natural stone (travertine) tiles?

Answer 1

In all my jobs, whether large or small tile, using a grout float has always been the way it has been done.

Bagging it would practically do the same thing. The tip of a grout bag is much, much wider than the joints, and you would need to force the grout in anyway, still smearing it over the face of the tile.

Answer 2

You should seal the travertine tile face prior to "sticking" them on the wall. I use a tight nap roller or set them flat and tight together and spray light with aerosol sealer and wipe off excess. Use the float and you can get messy with no worries. This will prevent the pits and crevices from holding the grout unless that's the look you want. The grout will stay in the grout line and wash off the tile face with your first sponge wipe. The bag takes too long unless you're use to cake decorating.