Are you thinking about transforming your bathroom into a travertine bathroom? There are so many different colors, finishes and designs available. You can certainly have a field day with the design process. Below are some photos of bathrooms where travertine is used. All photos are courtesy of flickr.com

Take a look at the bathroom above. I like the look of travertine backsplash behind the bathroom vanity. The 1 inch x 1 inch tiles look great in my opinion.

I like this travertine tile about the bathtub. That is a very elegant look.

This is a fabulous look. Travertine tiles were used on all four walls and was taken up to the ceiling. I love the rustic, weathered but elegant look. I especially like the decorative tile band to break up the tiles on the wall.

Here is a photo of a travertine shower. Again, I like the decorative tile band that goes around the shower. That is a great addition.

Wow, this travertine shower is pretty. You might say that it has an understated elegance. It is not too over the top, but just enough.

Here is another example of a travertine shower. I love the floor tiles in this one. Personally, I like the decorative bank that goes around the shower (see the 3rd and 4th photo above).

Here is an example of someone using small travertine tiles to build a bathroom vanity. I like the way this looks. However, I have previously had a kitchen counter made with small tile and frankly it was a pain in the neck to clean. When you want to wipe down the surface dirt, dust and other objects get lodged in the tile grout. That makes it more difficult and cumbersome to clean. However, if that is not a big deal for you and you like the look then go for it.

There are so many uses for travertine tile. This stone is becoming very popular in homes because of its durability, beauty, sophistication and easy installation. It is derived from a natural stone giving it a very weather but sturdy look that is different than many other tile solutions. Here are just a few places to use your travertine tile.

Travertine Bathroom

Are you thinking about remodeling your bathroom or are you building a home? Take a look at the photo below to see how gorgeous a bathroom can be when using travertine tiles. You can use in the shower, on the walls, around the bathtub, as a back splash and on the floors. With this stone you can transform an ordinary bathroom into one that would be the envy of all of your friends.

Travertine Shower

This is also a great stone to use in the shower. The flooring under your feet will provide some traction to prevent slipping. Take a look at the travertine shower below. Isn’t it pretty? I would trade my ho hum shower for this one. I love the look of the 1 inch by 1 inch tiles on the shower walls. There are many color and finishes to choose from to give your shower that “wow” factor.

Travertine Fireplace

Tired of a traditional mantel made out of wood? You might consider creating a travertine fireplace mantel. Take a look at the one below. To me it looks warm, inviting, durable and sophisticated. Without the right surrounding decor it can make a great addition to your home.

This is more of a traditional fireplace. There is nothing wrong with this mantel. In fact, it is very attractive. The travertine fireplace just gives you another alternative.

Travertine Backsplash

Tiles have long been used to create backsplashes in kitchens and bathrooms. Are you building a home or renovating your kitchens and/or bathrooms? You might consider installing a travertine backsplash. Take a look at the one below. Doesn’t it look great. There are so many color and finishes options to choose from so you can create a look that matches any home.

Travertine Floors

Or course, this is a great stone for your floor. Not only is it gorgeous but very durable as well. This natural stone will exude an earthiness feel in your home, condo, apartment, mobile home, office or business.  Travertine floors are great for any area. They can be sealed and work very well in high traffic areas or can be placed in bathrooms and bedrooms where there is not so much traffic. A few of the drawbacks include cost. This stone is a little more expensive to put down than carpet or other types of tile. Another problem is that it is vulnerable to acid. Orange juice, Coke, cleaners containing acids or any other acidic liquid can stain your travertine floors.

This is just a handful of places where you can install your travertine tiles. This is becoming a very popular stone to use in homes and businesses.

Are you thinking about a travertine tile installation? Good. This is a wonderful floor for your home, office or business. It exudes sophistication and is a very durable floor. The Roman Coliseum was constructed with this stone and it still standing after all of these years. I am sure it will do well wherever you are planning on installing it.

Are you thinking about installing it yourself? If you are particularly handy you can do it. However, it might be best left to the professionals who do it on a daily basis. If installed incorrectly it can take years off the life of your travertine floors. If you want to save a few bucks here are some tips on how to install travertine flooring:

What you need

• travertine tiles
• rubber gloves
• rubber mallet
• electric chisel
• travertine tiles
• level
• thin set mortar
• grout
• caulk
• rubber grout float
• sealer
• roller

Travertine Tile Installation

Step 1 – Preparing the floor

You need a clean slate so it is necessary to remove existing flooring. Use a hammer and chisel to get up existing tile. If you have one use an electric chisel as it will save you time and energy. Take off the baseboards. If you have carpet, remove it as well as tack strips and nails. Once everything is removed you need to clean and vacuum the floor whether it be concrete or wood.

Step 2 – Underlayment

Whatever your sub flooring is you need to now install the underlayment. Follow the manufacturers recommendations

Step 3 – Planning

This is the time to plan your travertine floor without actually installing it. Don’t use mortar at this stage of the game. Start in the middle of the room, lay the travertine tiles down until you get to the walls. You should leave 1/8 of an inch of space between the tiles for the grout. Since all travertine tiles are different you may want to arrange them in a certain fashion. Take your time here as you may want to position certain tiles away from each other or together depending on color. You can also number the tiles on the back for organization. Leave 1/2 of an inch between the perimeter of your travertine floor and the walls for expansion.

Step 4 – Laying Tiles

Manufacture the mortar according to the instructions. Start in the middle of the room and works towards the walls. Use your trowel and spread some thin-set mortar on roughly a 4 foot square area of underlayment. Manipulate the mortar with your trowel until it spread equally and evenly. Lay the tiles onto the mortar leaving 1/8 of an inch of space between the tiles for the grout.

Mix the mortar in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Begin in the middle of the room, and work towards the walls. Use a trowel to spread some thin-set mortar onto a 4-6 foot square area of the underlayment. Work the mortar with the trowel until the mortar is spread evenly. Lay the new, numbered tiles onto the mortar leaving 1/8 inch of space between the tiles for the grout.

Keep doing this until all of tiles have been laid into the mortar. Let the mortar cure.

Step 5 – Grouting

Follow the manufacturers specific instructions on producing the grout. Start in the corner of your room. Use a rubber grout flat or squeegee to evenly spread the grout onto the tiles and into the joints. For those joints larger than 1/8 of an inch use sounds grout. Joints smaller than 1/8 of an inch use unsanded grout.

Step 6 – Clean up grout

Let the grout stand set. This should take roughly 20 minutes. Gently clean the excess grout from the top of the travertine tiles and around the edges of the joints with a clean sponge and water.

Step 7 – Seal

You should seal your floor to prevent stains. Let your floor cure for 72 hours before applying the sealer. Sealing it will help protect your floor and make it last for decades.

Step 8 -Finishing up

Re-install your baseboards and clean up.

Travertine Tile Installation Video

Are you thinking about installing flooring and pondering whether to put in carpet, ceramic tile, hard wood or travertine tiles. All of these floors can create a wonderful and warm environment. The one you choose should just depend on the look you want, the money you want to spend and the lifestyle you lead. Here are some tips on all of these floors:

Carpet

This is the most economical choice. There are some fantastic carpets out there available and you will spend less than ceramic tile, wood or travertine. Carpet is a popular choice for bedrooms as people like to get out of bed and feel the comfort of carpet under their bare feet. It creates a very cozy environment that people desire in the place where they sleep. The drawbacks are that carpet act like big sponges and hold lots of dirt, dust and grime. If you like a sterile environment carpet may not be for you. Your home will always be easier to clean with a tile or wood floor versus carpet. No matter how much you vacuum it is impossible to get up all of the dirt and dust. It has a better hiding place in carpet. Do you have allergies? If so, you may want to skip the carpet and go for tile or wood. It is easier to keep a clean environment without carpet.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is a bit more expensive to install than carpet. There are a wide variety of colors and styles in ceramic tile. You can create so many different looks with the colors, shapes, sizes. your imagination can run wild with different colors of tile, the angle you lay it and using a combination of different tiles. This is a very durable floor that will last for many years if installed and maintained well. Some feel that ceramic tile is cold and uninviting. That is obviously just a personal preference. If you like it and tile fits the budget then go for it.

Hard Wood

Wood is more expensive than tile and carpet. Many decide on wood because it has a very rich, warm and elegant feel to it. If properly installed, sealed and maintained hard wood can last for decades. Take a look at the wood floors that you find in old homes. They are still here and functioning. The wood floors can be spruced up to give a very authentic, natural look. Wood comes in a variety of colors so it will be easy to match your current decor. The drawback with wood is that it is susceptible to water damage, can fade (may not be a bad thing depending on the look you want) and can also dent. If you have dogs with claws wood might not be the best choice for you. I have seen large scratches and dents due to animals and children.

Travertine Flooring

This flooring has become very popular. The natural stone look is “in” as you can find it in many new homes. Builders and flooring installers like it because it is easier to cut and manipulate versus ceramic tile. Another great feature is that no 2 stones or tiles are alike. So if you get a cracked or chipped tile you don’t need to worry about matching existing tiles because you can’t. That can be a real headache with ceramic tile because they may not make your tile anymore.

Travertine also very durable. Take a look at the Roman Coliseum. Travertine was used in the construction and it is still standing after all of these years. The stone is very strong and will last for decades if maintained properly.

Travertine floors are beautiful. You won’t find too many people who don’t like the natural, durable and authentic look that it gives off. There are several finishes for you to choose from including tumbled, polished, matte and brushed. It also comes in a variety of colors. This diversity gives designers many options and looks.

The problem with travertine is that it is not a cheap floor. Purchase and installation will cost a few bucks. That is why you see it in more expensive homes and condos. It also is vulnerable to acid. For example, if you are using it in the kitchen an orange juice spill can cause a stain if not cleaned quickly. The acid in cleaners and drinks don’t mesh well with travertine.

All of these floors can create a fabulous look and feel. What floor you install depends on what you want to spend, how hard you are on the floor and the look you are trying to create. Figure out who you are, get some prices and make a decision. Good luck.

No matter how you slice it travertine is a very attractive stone. It looks durable, rich and sophisticated. Very few people find it unattractive. It is cut from a natural stone giving it a very special, great look that is much different than man made pavers.

Travertine is one of the best materials for pool and deck paving. Not only does it look great but is very functional. One of the best features is that it stays really cool underfoot in hotter conditions. It works out really well here in Florida during the summer. Walking around the pool in the heat of the summer in your barefoot will not be uncomfortable. Other decking materials can get hot and uncomfortable.

Since the look of travertine is diverse and not two stones are the same it gives a great natural look. If you need to replace a section of the deck there is no need to try to make it match the rest of the deck. It all looks different anyway. That is what looks cool about it. Your pool may be only a few years old but the travertine pavers make it look like it was built in the Roman empire.

Another benefit of travertine pavers around the pool is that you can get some friction under the feet. The likelihood of slipping in a puddle of water decreases. Kids really should not run around a pool but if they do they are less likely to slip on travertine than other types of pool decking.

Travertine is very durable for the outdoors. Take a look at the Roman Coliseum. That was made with travertine. How long has that thing been around? Thousands of years. Because it is durable you won’t have to clean it as much. In fact, this is a stone that wants to look weathered.

Travertine Pavers Use

On a commercial level travertine pavers have been used as streets, walkways in markets, malls, churches, strip malls and parks. The are used heavily in the landscaping industry. They are great for not only pool decks but also walks ways around your garden or yard, patios, decks, flooring in gazebos, stepping stones around the flower bed or garden as well as driveways. There are many uses for travertine for both the inside and outside of home and commercial real estate.

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.

The use of travertine is coming on strong across America. I am seeing it more and more in homes, remodeled homes and newer homes. More and more homeowners are choosing the weathered yet elegant feel. Travertine flooring is where you will see it most. It is a very durable, unique as no two tiles are alike, easy to clean and it creates a very warm environment.

Travertine tile comes in a variety of colors and finishes. The quantity of iron in the tiles has an affect on the color. Some of the colors to choose from include ivory, beige, brown, red and gold. Visit the link below and you can scroll through the various colors.

Depending on where you will use it and the decor of the rest of your house I am sure you can find a color and finish that will work for you. Some of the finishes you can get in travertine include matte, polished, brushed or tumbled. The polished finish is very similar to marble. A smooth surface that is very easy to clean. However, if you get some water on the travertine floor tile it can become slippery. Brushed or tumbled marble has a very weathered or antique look to it. See the tile below? That is tumbled travertine.

Pros of Travertine

• The most important benefit of travertine is the beauty. It really is a pretty stone. Not too many people would consider it ugly or unattractive.
• The great thing about this tile is that no 2 tiles are the same. So there is no need to match them up. If you get a broken porcelain or ceramic tile then you have to try to match it up. It does not always happen. There is not need to try to match up travertine tile because it is impossible.
• This stone is easy to cut and shape. For this reason builders love to work with it. It is easier for installer to cut pieces to fit knooks and crannies.

Cons of Travertine

• These tiles are porous so they can absorb liquid and stain if it is left on their long enough.
• Travertine needs to be sealed because it is porous. When installed just make sure it is sealed properly to prevent any problems. If you have pets and children it especially important to seal it well.
• Remember, that travertine is a calcium carbonate so it does not go well with acidic liquids. For example, a Coke spilled on travertine flooring can permanently stain it if not cleaned quickly.
• Cost can also be a drawback. This type of tile is a bit more expensive than porcelain or ceramic tile. However, the added benefits and beauty might be worth the extra cost.

In the end travertine is a gorgeous stone to use in bathrooms, flooring, kitchens, counter tops or any other place where tile is used. It just depends on your lifestyle. If you have several children and pets perhaps this is not the tile for you. If your lifestyle is a bit more manageable then maybe this is perfect tile for you.

Travertine tile is used to create home or office decorative flooring. It is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes (honed, tumbled, polished, or brushed). These tiles can also be used as countertops and on walls as back splashes.

One of travertine’s unique features is no two tiles are exactly the same. It lets you design a one-of-a-kind floor. Replacing your current flooring or adding travertine tile to a new floor is sure to add value to your room or office.

Travertine tiles work well for both commercial and residential applications. Travertine is a very low-maintenance product. It works well in high traffic areas and busy offices.

Travertine is available in a commercial grade. The commercial grade is very heavy duty and a common choice for business applications. It provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your business associates and visitors.

Travertine is a low maintenance floor choice but it does require care or permanent damage can result. To clean follow the easy steps below:

1. Be sure your floor is professionally installed and well sealed after installation. Never allow a non-professional install your flooring. A proper sealing of the tile will ensure your routine up-keep is a much easier task.

2. Sweep the floor on a regular basis and mop with a wet mop after sweeping.

3. Always use a natural stone cleaner. Never, ever use any abrasive cleaners or rough brushes on your flooring. Scratches can result.

4. Wipe up any spills right away with a soft cloth. Be especially careful with any acidit spill. Travertine can be damaged by acid soils. Keep in mind that stains and scratches are more noticeable on polished Travertine tiles. Select honed Travertine when placing in rooms likely to be subjected to spills and heavy traffic.

5. It is recommended you use pads or coasters on furniture legs. It pays to protect your tile flooring.

Travertine works well in both indoor and outdoor settings. It is an especially popular choice for bathrooms, kitchens, in front of fireplaces, utility rooms, outdoor patios and office floors or lunchrooms.

After you have made your initial flooring investment you can be confident that your floor will be not only durable, serviceable, and beautiful but, if well-maintained, it will look attractive for many years to come. When you take into consideration all the benefits of Travertine tile, it is a very economical choice for your home or office.