What is Travertine?

Travertine is a natural stone with unique elegance which is widely used in building material since distant past. The travertine stones are found in different colors that range from gray to gold. The stone has several uses in both indoor and travertine tile outdoor designs.

Travertine is a stone similar to limestone. These stones can be used interchangeably. Travertine is formed by the process of precipitation of calcium carbonate. Travertine is a very soft stone which makes it an unsuitable choice for surfaces with high traffic and weightage like kitchen countertops. You can have a travertine kitchen countertop, but you need to be very careful not to spill especially if those spills are acidic. Clean up any spills immediately.

As mentioned above, travertine is often used for a variety of residential architectural elements. Travertine can be used on countertops, floors and many other places. Apart from its use as a countertop material, travertine floors are certainly a great way to make a statement in your home. For floors, the material is supplied with travertine tiles.

Overall, travertine is typically used for the following purposes:

• Countertop
• Back splash
• Chimney surround
• Sidewalk
• Interior floor
• Patios
• Pool deck
• Inner and outer walls
• Driveway
• Bathtub surround
• Shower wall

Flooring, Tile, and Maintenance Guide

There are countless choices when it comes to getting along the flooring for the interior and exterior home decors. Among all those, tile is the most popular choice because it has elegant looks and ease of maintenance. Tile floors are easy to clean. The following steps help you maintain your tiles for the best appearance and utility:

Vacuum and Dust: Use a fluffy dust mop or a vacuum for removing the dirt and dust before it gets on your tile surface. It is the fastest and easiest procedure for maintaining the flooring. Use of straw brooms is strictly prohibited as it increases the chance of scratches in those tile surfaces.

Mopping: Practice mopping the floor with warm water at least once a week. The use of mild soap is appreciated as it helps enhance the tile color, shine and gloss after travertine tile cleaning. It is mandatory to practice checking on the manufacturing before the use of any cleansers in order to avoid damages on the tile.

Use of Doormats: The practice of placing doormats on both in and out of the doors. This helps in elimination of mud or water from entering inside in case of weather halts. For floor tiling in the bathroom, the use of a bath mat is highly appreciated.

Addition of Area Rugs: In areas with high foot traffic, area rugs or runners need to be places for avoiding all sorts of dulling, scratches and dirt on the areas mostly at entryway or family room.

Deep clean of tiles: The tiles need to be deep cleaned every so often. This helps in removing stains and greasy residue keeping those tiles away from all sorts of damage. Vinegar and warm water are the very efficient DIY elements. Fresh water and detergent helps in removing hard grease substances.

Cleaning the grout: Cleaning the grout is very important. The paste from mixing baking soda and water can create wonders.

Travertine vs Marble: Which one is better for your home?

Travertine is often considered a type of marble, and people often confuse the two.

The main difference between the two stones is how they are formed. Marble is formed when limestone is exposed to high pressure and high temperature. Travertine, on the other hand, is formed at additional high pressures and temperatures, whereas travertine is formed in hot springs and limestone caves.

Travertine countertops are slightly harder than marble countertops because they have a Mohs hardness of 4-5 for travertine, while marbles have a score of 3-4. Marble comes in a variety of colors, from gray to beige, gold, dark brown to black.

Travertine is typical of warm Mediterranean earth tones. Sealing the two stones increases their resistance to dirt, but care must be taken as these porous stones are prone to discoloration unless the dark liquid is quickly wiped off.

Some rare and beautiful marble slabs, such as Italian Karakatta Gold, can cost more than $ 150 per square foot. Because natural travertine is easy to cut, it can be cheaper than marble, resulting in lower costs. In other cases, natural travertine tile cost more than cultured marble, but depending on the quality, similar costs can be found on both.