Thinking about adding travertine to your home, office or business? Travertine tile works well in various locations including kitchens, bathrooms, showers, flooring as well as outside like a pool deck, or garden pavers.
Travertine
It is a sedimentary rock, formed by carbonate materials found in hot springs like geysers as well as surface and ground waters. Travertine is usually harvested from river banks and springs which are common places where minerals dissolve in ground water. Have you ever seen photos or visited the Roman Coliseum? That was made with travertine stone.
Only the hardest travertine can be polished. With some travertine tile, finishes fill in the porous cavities to make it smoother than usual. While some homeowners like the smoother look and feel, it should be noted the compound that is used to fill in the holes will not wear like the stone and could color differently over time. This may not sound good, but it could prove to be a wise choice if you like a contrast on the floor.
Travertine Finishes
There are a variety of finishes. Some of them include:
- Polished – This looks very much like marble. It has a shiny, flat and smooth finish to it.
- Honed – This is a common finish for travertine across America. This is smooth or matte look but is not as shiny as the polished finish. Honed finish is not reflective and makes the color tones a bit dull.
- Brushed – This is obtained by applying hard or metal brushes to the stone. It gives the travertine an antique look as it wears out the surface.
- Tumbled – I like this look (take a look below). This is a very weathered but rich look. It makes you feel like you jumped into a time machine and sitting in Roman Coliseum. Intricate patterns of these stones add extra touch of beauty, uniqueness and elegance to any interior or exterior.
