6 Benefits of Travertine Flooring
Travertine is one of the most popular types of natural-stone flooring for many reasons, including its beauty and durability. It is a type of limestone formed when minerals dissolve in groundwater and eventually get moved by springs above the ground. This type of stone is available in a wide variety of earth tones such as beige, rust, browns, and tans. Here are 6 reasons travertine is a great choice for your indoor or outdoor tile flooring.
1. Timeless Appeal
Travertine has a beauty and timeless appeal that's hard to match. It has been used in architecture and design since the Roman times when it was used in the construction of steps, temples, monuments, and amphitheaters like the Colosseum, which is made almost entirely from travertine. Travertine offers a distinct and classic appearance with light shades of gray, white, gold, tan, and light brown and sometimes darker rusty red tones. One of the most appealing aspects of travertine is its unique weathered appearance.
2. Many Finish Options
In addition to choosing the right shade of stone, you can also customize the look of your floors with several finish options. Travertine stone can be unfilled or filled, which increases durability. Polished travertine offers a flat and smooth finish that's stain resistant although slippery. Honed travertine is the most popular option for floors, as it's polished flat but not glossed. Tumbled and brushed travertine both offer textured surfaces with muted colors that do not reflect light. If you choose tumbled, brushed, or honed travertine, it will be even more important to seal your stone to prevent stains.
3. Versatility
Travertine comes in many forms, and it can be used in various applications like tile flooring, shower trays, sink basins, wall facades, and countertops. This makes it easier to design a cohesive bathroom during a remodel. You may appreciate the seamless look of a travertine tile shower that flows right into the travertine floors, or perhaps you prefer the look of travertine countertops that match your floors.
4. Fairly Low Maintenance
Travertine requires a bit more maintenance than some types of flooring, but using the right cleaning products and regularly sealing your travertine can make maintenance a breeze. Travertine should be swept often to prevent debris from scratching the floors. Always wipe up spills right away to prevent stains because the stone is porous. To prevent damage to the stone, never use acidic or alkaline cleaning products. If you already know how to clean granite and natural-stone floor, cleaning travertine is essentially the same process.
5. Long-Term Durability
Like most types of natural-stone, travertine is very durable and stands up well to heavy foot traffic. Travertine has a hardness rating comparable to marble, but it's able to withstand extreme temperature changes, unlike some other types of stone. This makes it the ideal choice for indoor and outdoor settings like patios. If you choose filled travertine and seal it regularly, it will be virtually stain and water proof.