Travertine Flooring

When you use travertine flooring, you will add warmth and a sense of casual formalness to a room. The soft earthy hues of this natural stone will give a space a feeling of being a part of nature.

Travertine is a form of limestone. It often forms near hot bubbly mineral springs. Gas bubbles become trapped and create a pitted surface on the stone.

If used as countertops or wall tiles, the pitting can be left in tact. However, when used as flooring, the travertine should be filled with an epoxy or dust resin.

This will keep the pitting from clinging to dirt and discoloring over time, while preserving a more finished look. Leaving the stone unfilled will make the travertine much harder to keep clean.

Further, this stone reacts negatively to acids found in common household items such as lemons, vinegar, alcohol and some cleaning products. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in the kitchen. These acids will etch the stone by leaving marks, rings, or dull spots.

Similar to limestone, travertine also varies in hardness and density. Some travertine stones are harder than others. It's not as soft as soapstone, but it doesn't come close to the hardness of granite or quartz.

Available Colors And Finishes

The coloring of travertine varies from ivories and very pale creams, to rich golden honey shades and silvery greens to deep mocha browns. The stones never appear as one solid color.

Colors vary and veins of contrasting color run throughout the stone. No 2 tiles are alike. When you plan your travertine flooring, lay out all of the tiles first. This will help with the flow of color and veining.

Finishes for travertine flooring vary. Not all travertines can accept a polished or high gloss finish. Only the harder, denser stones.

This stone will not achieve the same glossy finish as granite. A honed finish is the most popular for travertine. It is not shiny or relective.

It is much more of a matte or satin finish. Tumbled travertine makes athe stone appear scuffed, weathered, and aged. You should talk to your supplier about the different finishes he can provide.

Sizes And Uses

Sizes of travertine runs from small mosaic tiles to 36" square tiles. You can even find it in large slabs for commercial use (on hotel lobby walls for example).

Designers often use travertine in residential projects as backsplashes, sinks, floors, mosaic tiles, statuary, fireplace surrounds, tub surrounds, vanities, and end tables. It is also used for accessories such as ligh swtich plates, trim, vases and coasters.

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