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pirokp

Replacement Tile Doesn’t Exist - Creative Ideas?

3 years ago

Hi All,

Thank you in advance for your help.

We had a water leak and the travertine had to be torn up in our pantry. The travertine flowed from pantry into kitchen (see before leak photo).

We had an Itel report done on our travertine and unfortunately it doesn’t exist anymore.

I have been trying to find a close match for the floor but each time I bring home a sample it looks awful, like we tried to match it, but it doesn’t and it looks bad.

Should we do something completely different with the flooring in the pantry, making it look like it was supposed to be different? If so what?

Our contractor said he should be able to cut the tile in half in the doorframe area to make a natural transition to the new flooring we pick out.

I am at a loss what to do. Thank you!

Comments (18)

  • 3 years ago

    Obviously best case scenario would be to redo all floors to match.

    Assuming that isn’t an option I’d probably just go with a black slate tile in the pantry. And then when you can redo the floors throughout it should be pretty neutral to work with.

    pirokp thanked HU-187528210
  • 3 years ago

    Thank you HU-18752810! We aren't replacing all the tile because it is 400 square feet that would have to be replaced, it flows in the kitchen, and hall.


    Would you do 12x12 black slate to match 12x12 size of current tile?

  • 3 years ago

    I would split it at the door like your contractor suggested and get a color that complements what is in the kitchen but a totally different size. I would keep it in the same color family though - perhaps a bit lighter or darker. I would not do black and would not do travertine unless it is smaller mosiac type travertine. Just go to a local tile store and see what you think complements it and see if the design people have any suggestions. Once it is done I think there is enough of a separation that it will look intentional.


  • 3 years ago

    I wouldnt do black . That will stick out like a sore thumb. If you absolutely cant match it, in any size tile, I would pick a color out of the tile itself, in a solid color, so it flows a bit better.

  • 3 years ago

    Agree with matching a tone in the travertine, so that they coordinate, but in a different size. Simpler, like for a service area. Taupe, cream, tan -- there will be something to match.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Pirokp, please confirm if this is real travertine? It looks like a travertine look tile to me, black slate look would work for the pantry.

  • 3 years ago

    I’d go larger than the tile. Unless you match it up like Beth’s Examples…

  • 3 years ago

    Thank you all so much. I have learned so much from all of you!!

    The Itel report identified the tile as Limestone, Jura Beige/Jurastone Beige

    Insurance paid for this report and helped us look for it, unfortunately we haven’t found it. I was also told because it’s 16 years old that even if we found it the stone might not match.

    I did bring home the following sample, a “walnut” like a few of you suggested.

    Surface Art Venetian Classics
    Costa Norte
    Walnut

    Only sizes are 24x24 and 12x24

    It’s porcelain not travertine.

    Here is a photo. When it’s not butt up to the tile it looks fine. Should I maybe add a border of something around perimeter of room, therefore the tile wouldn’t butt right up to it?

  • 3 years ago

    We tried the locations already and have been told they can't get it

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    What you found will look fine, once its all installed.

    pirokp thanked cat_ky
  • 3 years ago

    Your match looks pretty perfect to me! If possible, I'd do a transition pattern of some sort at the door, like Beverly suggests, or even in a different tile, and then continue all the new tile in the pantry room. It will look great.

  • 3 years ago

    Thank you Beverly for the transition idea.


    Would you do this tile in 12x24 or 24x24, existing tile is 12x12.


    Thank you all!!

  • 3 years ago

    I would vote for the 24x24 if it fits well. Then the ”change in tile size” looks like an intentional decision.

    Your new “substitute” is really close to the originals in the photos.

    pirokp thanked RedRyder
  • 3 years ago

    And do Beverly’s idea.

    pirokp thanked RedRyder
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Make contrast your friend pleased. Nothing is worse than "just missed".

  • 3 years ago

    I would do an engineered hardwood floor in a color that matches the cabinets.

  • 3 years ago

    Are you sure that you are not entitled to new flooring in the kitchen area also? My DD had a water leak in her house. She has a split floor plan ranch and she got new floors in her entire house because the bedroom carpets matched before so they needed to be the same after. So two bedrooms got new carpet even though they weren't affected.

    It would seem like since you had contigous flooring prior to the leak, you should have it after. I would make sure the insurance company isn't trying to but the screws to you. That's what you pay your premium for.