What are Travertine Tiles?
You’re in the middle of searching for new flooring options for your patio when you come across travertine tiles. What are travertine tiles? Are they suitable for your remodelling job?
Travertine is a form of natural limestone found in quarries around mineral springs. Lime deposits form travertine stone over time. This makes it a porous natural stone suitable for use around the home.
Travertine comes in a variety of colours, with natural patterns in the stone. Some types feature deep brown colours, while others are tan, rust-coloured, or feature a beige hue. Travertine is a durable stone, which makes it a great fit for your patio. Also, it suits many other areas of the home, such as the conservatory or kitchen, where there is high footfall.
However, due to the porous nature of travertine, it does require sealing. Leaving this natural stone unsealed results in absorption of moisture. The moisture penetrates deep into the stone, causing mould growth and the potential lifting of your patio. If there’s water in your travertine and it freezes, your tiles start to crack and crumble. To combat this, we recommend Lithofin Multi-Seal for sealing travertine and natural stone tiles. Also, view our guide on how to seal your tiles here.
In this post, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about fitting travertine tiles around your home.
What are the Pros and Cons of Using Travertine Flooring Around Your Home?
Pros
- Travertine has a dignified but stylish appearance suitable for a rustic look
- Travertine is a durable and long-lasting stone as long as you seal it
- Travertine floors add value to the asking price of your home
Cons
- Travertine is an expensive flooring material
- Travertine require periodic sealing of your floors
- Travertine can feel cold underfoot in the winter and it’s a slippery surface
How Much Does Travertine Flooring Cost?
Travertine won’t cost you as much as a marble floor. This natural stone is common and easy to extract from quarries. This drives down the price of travertine tiles. However, natural stone is still an expensive material. You’ll have to ensure you have the right budget available for the job.
Most travertine floors go for around $15 per square foot, without including the labour costs. Marble sells for approximately $20 per square foot. This is a significant 25% price increase on your costs compared to travertine. Granite is an affordable option, but it doesn’t provide the same character that travertine flooring can.
As with most other natural stones, the quality of the material determines the price of the tiles. Some lower-grade travertine tiles can sell for as little as $3 per square foot. Therefore, the finish and quality of the stone plays a significant role in the final costs of your travertine flooring.
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What are the Types of Travertine Flooring?
Travertine tiles are readily available at most retail tiling stores. There are various brands of travertine tiles available, but you need to focus on the specific type when working out your budget. Travertine tiles are available in four varieties to suit any flooring application.
Honed – This travertine flooring comes with a light polished finish, but still retains a matte look. It’s less slippery than polished travertine, and is ideally used in indoor applications.
Polished – These travertine tiles come with a glossy, shiny finish. You get a sealed surface that’s ready for fitment. Polished tiles don’t have the same traction as honed tiles, so don’t apply them in wet areas.
Brushed – A brushed travertine floor features a textured treatment. This is to improve the coefficient of friction (COF) of the flooring. Essentially, brushing enhances the travertine’s texture and grip, making it suitable for use in areas that get wet. As a result, they you with extra grip when walking in the room.
Tumbled – The tumbling process rounds out the edges of the travertine flooring, giving it an aged antique aesthetic. This format looks great, but it’s not a good choice for high footfall areas around the home.
Porcelain Tiles Vs. Travertine Tiles – Which Is the Better Choice?
Porcelain tiles are a good alternative to travertine, achieving a similar look. Porcelain is much cheaper than travertine, but it’s not suitable for outdoor flooring.
Most porcelain tiles have a hardened, smooth finish that’s slippery when wet. Still, they make an affordable alternative to natural stone. Porcelain tiles don’t require any treatment, and they’re readily available from retail tiling stores.
Summary – Is Travertine Flooring the Best Choice for You?
What are travertine tiles? They’re a natural stone flooring solution for your home. Sure, they might cost more than a traditional tiled floor, but the aesthetic and value they bring to your home is worth the extra money.
Make sure you choose the right type of travertine for your flooring to avoid disappointment in the future. If you need assistance with selecting the best travertine options for your remodel, speak to a professional. Trying to install a travertine floor yourself is challenging.
It’s a better idea to rely on a professional tiling team’s expertise and skills when installing your travertine floor. Contact us today for recommendations on local tilers, and visit our advice centre on our website, where we answer a wide range of frequently asked questions. Thank you for reading.
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