Product Overview

MSI RockMount® Philadelphia 6" x 24" Split-Face Natural Travertine Ledger Panel brings warm architectural texture and genuine stone character to interior and exterior vertical surfaces. Each panel is assembled from narrow strips of natural travertine in creamy beige, warm ivory, soft gold, taupe, and subtle chocolate-brown tones.

The rugged split-face finish produces substantial depth and shifting shadows, while the interlocking panel construction helps minimize visible seams. Designed for tight-joint installation without conventional grout lines, Philadelphia creates the appearance of individually laid dry-stacked masonry with the convenience of a modular ledger-panel system.

Technical Specifications

Recommended Applications

• Fireplace Surrounds: Creates a warm, dimensional focal point on fireplace walls, chimney breasts, and framed projections.

• Interior Feature Walls: Adds natural texture to living rooms, foyers, dining rooms, offices, restaurants, and hospitality spaces.

• Kitchen and Bar Backsplashes: Brings layered stone character to backsplashes, beverage stations, and bar walls where the textured surface is appropriate.

• Outdoor Kitchens: Suitable for approved barbecue islands, bar structures, and outdoor entertainment features.

• Exterior Cladding: Can be installed on façades, entry walls, columns, pillars, and architectural accents using an approved exterior veneer assembly.

• Shower and Tub Walls: MSI lists Philadelphia for shower applications. Install over a complete waterproofing system and consider the maintenance requirements of the dimensional splitface surface.

• Fountains and Water Features: Appropriate for approved vertical water-feature installations using setting materials designed for constant moisture exposure.

• Landscape Features: May be used as decorative veneer over structurally sound masonry planters, sitting walls, and retaining-wall faces. The ledger panel itself is not structural.

Installation Guidelines

⚠️ IMPORTANT: HEAVY NATURAL-STONE WALL VENEER

Philadelphia ledger panels are dimensional natural-stone veneer. Substrate strength, mortar coverage, waterproofing, movement accommodation, and exterior detailing must be evaluated before installation.

• Approved Substrate: Install over clean, flat, structurally sound concrete, masonry, or properly secured cementitious backer board. Substrate requirements vary by installation height, environment, and local building code.

• Mortar Selection: Use a premium white polymer-modified Large and Heavy Tile mortar meeting ANSI A118.4 or A118.15 and approved for natural travertine.

• White Setting Material: White mortar is preferred for light-colored travertine because gray mortar may alter or shadow through portions of the stone.

• Mortar Coverage: Directionally trowel the substrate and back-butter each panel. Exterior, wet-area, and fireplace installations require substantially complete mortar coverage without significant voids.

• Starting Course: Begin from a straight, level, adequately supported baseline. Allowing the first course to cure before continuing may help prevent movement on tall walls.

• Grout-Free Installation: Fit adjoining panels tightly without conventional grout joints. Remove exposed mortar from the stone faces and joints before it hardens.

• Stagger the Joints: Offset panel joints between courses and avoid continuous vertical seams. Test-fit each panel before applying mortar.

• Dry-Lay and Blend: Open several cartons and distribute lighter, darker, and more heavily textured panels throughout the installation.

• Outside Corners: Use the matching Philadelphia 6" x 12" x 6" L-shaped corner panels for finished outside corners, columns, and returns.

• Wet Areas: Install over an approved waterproofing system. Sealing the stone does not waterproof the underlying wall assembly.

• Exterior Installation: Include proper flashing, drainage, waterproofing, freeze-thaw-appropriate setting materials, and movement accommodation. Tall or elevated façades may require an engineered or mechanically supported veneer system.

• Fireplace Installation: Follow the fireplace manufacturer’s clearance requirements and all applicable building codes. Natural travertine does not make an improperly constructed assembly heat-safe.

• Movement Joints: Provide perimeter and field movement joints according to TCNA EJ171 and applicable construction requirements.

• Cutting Safety: Wet-cut with a suitable diamond blade. Never dry-cut or grind because the process can release hazardous respirable crystalline-silica dust.

• Order Allowance: Purchase approximately 10–15% additional material for cuts, breakage, color blending, and future repairs.

Care and Maintenance

• Remove dust with a soft-bristle brush or vacuum attachment.

• Clean with warm water and a neutral-pH cleaner formulated for natural travertine.

• Avoid vinegar, acidic cleaners, bleach, abrasive chemicals, and wire brushes.

• Wipe grease and cooking residue promptly in kitchen and outdoor-cooking applications.

• Apply a breathable penetrating natural-stone sealer where additional stain and moisture resistance is desired.

• Test sealers before application because enhancing products may deepen the beige and chocolate coloration.

• Travertine may contain natural pores and voids that can occasionally require compatible filler or maintenance.

• Inspect exterior installations periodically for open joints, failed flashing, movement, or moisture intrusion.

Natural Stone Variation

Philadelphia is genuine natural travertine. Differences in color, pores, pits, veining, texture, and splitface depth are expected. Panels may range from pale ivory and cream to warm beige, gold, taupe, and chocolate brown.

Blend panels from multiple cartons before installation. Natural variation contributes to the finished wall’s authentic masonry appearance and is not considered a manufacturing defect.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic Inspiration: Mediterranean, Tuscan, organic transitional, refined rustic, California casual, and warm contemporary.

• Color Character: Creamy beige and ivory with soft gold, taupe, and chocolate accents.

• Surface Character: Rugged splitface stone strips with layered depths and natural shadow lines.

• Visual Advantage: Interlocking panels create the appearance of individually laid stacked stone while reducing visible end joints.

• Complementary Materials: Ivory travertine, cream limestone, white oak, walnut, warm stucco, plaster, and textured concrete.

• Complementary Metals: Aged bronze, brushed brass, antique copper, matte black, and oil-rubbed bronze.

• Lighting Recommendation: Grazing light from above or below emphasizes the dimensional splitface texture and natural color movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Philadelphia genuine natural travertine?

Yes. It is constructed from genuine splitface natural travertine rather than manufactured stone or porcelain.

What is the correct manufacturer SKU?

The MSI item number for the flat 6" x 24" panel is LPNLTPHI624.

How much does each panel cover?

Each nominal 6" x 24" panel covers approximately 1 sq. ft.

How many panels are packaged in one box?

One box contains six panels and covers approximately 6 sq. ft.

Does this ledger panel require grout?

No conventional grout joint is normally used. The interlocking panels are tightly fitted to produce a dry-stacked, grout-free appearance.

Can Philadelphia be installed outdoors?

Yes. MSI recommends it for exterior wall applications. Proper waterproofing, flashing, drainage, mortar coverage, and movement accommodation are essential.

Can it be installed around a fireplace?

Yes, when installed over an approved substrate and in compliance with the fireplace manufacturer’s clearance requirements and local building codes.

Can it be installed on a shower wall?

Yes. MSI lists shower applications, but the wall must include a complete waterproofing system. The dimensional surface also requires more detailed cleaning than flat tile.

Can this product be installed on floors?

No. Its rugged splitface surface and interlocking panel construction are intended for vertical wall and veneer applications.

What corner piece matches this panel?

It coordinates with the Philadelphia 6" x 12" x 6" splitface travertine corner panel, MSI item number LPNLTPHI618COR.

Does the stone require sealing?

Sealing is recommended in wet, exterior, grease-prone, or stain-prone installations. Use a breathable penetrating sealer approved for travertine and test it before full application.