Travertine Tiles FAQ

What is travertine?

Travertine is a calcium carbonate (limestone) found in surface and ground waters as well as hot springs. It is usually harvested from river banks and springs which are common places where minerals dissolve in ground water.

Where can I use travertine tiles?

Travertine has been for building construction for thousands of years. A large part of the Roman Coliseum was constructed with this natural stone. Today, travertine is used in flooring, showers, bathrooms, kitchens, fireplace mantels, pool decks and garden pavers. Read more here – where to use travertine.

What colors does travertine come in?

There are a variety of colors fort his type of tile.  You may find significant variations within the same slab or possibly even the same tile. It looks fabulous.  Some of the colors include brown, beige, red, yellow, gray, rosa red, white and multi-colored. You can usually find a color that works well with your other decor.

What are some travertine finishes?

There are a variety of finishes available for this type of flooring. The four major ones are polished, brushed, tumbled and honed. You can read more here – travertine finishes.

What are some travertine negatives?

1) The cost of travertine is more than other types of tile. This is primarily due to the tile being imported from other countries.

2) Travertine is porous so it absorbs liquid. This can be a problem as it may lead to staining.

3) This stone 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.

Read this post – pros and cons of travertine tiles