The right tile can make or break a room.
But if you’re a homeowner who’s trying to choose just the right tile for your space, the choices can be overwhelming.
We’d like to introduce you to travertine tile — a beautiful and functional natural stone tile that’s easier on your budget than some of the other natural options.
Keep reading to learn all about travertine tile, including the different finishes, maintenance, cost, and who to call for professional installation in Auburn, WA.
Table of Contents
- What Is Travertine Tile?
- FAQs About Travertine Tile
- Travertine Tile vs. Porcelain Tile
- Interior Motives Flooring: The Experts When It Comes To Flooring Questions and Installation
What Is Travertine Tile?
Travertine tile is a natural sedimentary limestone that’s formed from the calcium carbonate mineral deposits left behind at natural springs and limestone caves.
Fun fact: Travertine has been around for centuries and was the main type of stone used in the building of the Colosseum in Rome.
It is more expensive than some of the other tile options on the market but is less expensive than many natural stone tile options, such as marble.
To keep it looking its best and to ensure longevity, travertine tile requires some maintenance, including regular cleaning.
Travertine tile is available in four different finishes, including:
- Polished
- Honed
- Brushed; and
- Tumbled
Brushed Travertine
Brushed travertine tile has been lightly smoothed with a wire brush.
This results in a surface that is not quite as textured as tumbled travertine tile but more textured than honed travertine. The rustic, weathered finish of brushed travertine makes it great for those looking for a casual or Old World look in their home.
Honed Travertine
In honed travertine tile, the tiny holes and crevices in the stone are filled in, then sanded to create a smooth, almost-matte finish.
This style complements virtually any decorating style and is the most popular choice of travertine tile finish for residential use.
Honed travertine tile is an excellent choice of flooring throughout a home and is frequently used for kitchen and bathroom countertops, walls, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, and outdoor tiling.
Tumbled Travertine
Tumbled travertine is created by putting tiles and small stones in a large tumbler. They are then tumbled gently to get a rustic, weathered look. The resulting heavily textured, matte finish of tumbled travertine makes it an optimal choice for wall insets and fireplace surrounds.
Due to its heavy texture, tumbled travertine is not suitable for indoor floors or countertops. Tumbled travertine finish is perfect for Spanish, Mediterranean, Tuscan, or other Old World decor.
Polished Travertine
In polished travertine tile, the natural holes and crevices are filled in and then polished and buffed to create a smooth, shiny surface. This is the most elegant and modern of travertine tile finishes.
Polished travertine tile’s finish yields a luxurious, high-end look that is perfect for a home’s entryway floors, backsplashes, countertops, and tub surrounds. However, polished travertine is slippery when wet, making it a poor choice for flooring in kitchens and bathrooms or around swimming pools.
If you’re in the market for new flooring — including travertine tile — the professionals at Interior Motives Flooring would love to help! Get in touch with us today with any flooring questions or to book your free estimate.
FAQs About Travertine Tile
Are you trying to decide if travertine tile is right for your home? Here are the pros and cons, as well as a few of our most commonly asked questions about travertine tile, including:
- Durability
- Required maintenance
- Cost
- Recommended uses
- Color availability; and
- Care
#1: How Durable Is Travertine Tile?
Travertine tile lands in the middle when it comes to the durability of the various types of natural stone.
Travertine tile holds up well to foot traffic and is not likely to crack when exposed to extreme temperatures. Over time, however, the tile’s exposure to the elements will cause signs of wear, and it may crack if struck by a heavy object or if something is dropped on it.
Unsealed travertine tile is particularly susceptible to scratches, with honed or tumbled finishes being more durable than polished.
Proper installation and maintenance of travertine tile can prolong the natural beauty of the stone and give it the longest possible lifespan.
#2: What Maintenance Is Required for Travertine Tile?
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your travertine tile is to have it sealed.
Travertine tile’s porous nature allows it to easily absorb grease, oil, and other liquids that may stain or otherwise damage the surface. Professional sealing prevents the damage that may result.
Travertine tile is also prone to etching. To keep this chemical reaction from ruining your travertine tile, be sure to ensure it is free from contact with acidic substances such as:
- Wine
- Vinegar
- Bleach
- Citrus juices
- Coffee
- Tea; and
- Alcohol
Tiles that have polished finishes, such as honed or polished travertine, will provide the best resistance to both etching and stains.
A protective sealant is also highly recommended following installation and should be reapplied every 3–5 years for optimal maintenance.
#3: How Much Does Travertine Tile Cost?
Travertine tile is more expensive than some other tile options. For natural tile, however, it is on the less expensive end.
Overall, travertine tile is considered a mid-range choice for flooring. The price you pay will depend on factors such as:
- The project
- Where you live
- The size tiles you need
- The complexity of the project
- The quality of tile you choose; and
- Your chosen finish
On average, you can expect to pay around $15-30 per square foot for travertine tile. (For reference, marble is nearly double this cost, and you will pay even more for granite.)
#4: What Are Some Recommended Uses for Travertine Tile?
Travertine tile is suitable for a wide variety of uses. A few of the most common ones include:
- Exterior patios
- Fireplaces
- Laundry rooms
- Mudrooms; and
- Entryways
This type of tile is not recommended for use in bathrooms or showers due to the amount of maintenance required.
#5: What Colors of Travertine Tile Are Available?
Travertine tile is made from natural stone and is available in naturally occurring shades of:
- Brown
- Beige
- Gray; and
- Black
#6: What Are Pros of Travertine Tile?
There are a number of reasons why homeowners choose travertine tile over other high-end stones. A few of these reasons are that travertine is:
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Natural
- Slip-resistant
- Versatile; and
- Durable
It’s also budget-friendly when compared to the other natural stone options and may even increase the value of your home.
#7: What Are Cons of Travertine Tile?
Along with the many benefits of travertine tile, there are a few things you may consider to be drawbacks to choosing this type of tile for your home. These include:
- Regular maintenance is required.
- Travertine is firmer and heavier than other flooring options.
- It is sensitive to spills and marks if not maintained properly.
- Travertine tends to stay cool, which is ideal for warmer climates but could be a con for those in cooler regions.
#8: How Do You Care For Travertine Tile?
With basic maintenance, you can keep your travertine tile looking great for decades.
Just follow these tips for how to clean your travertine tile countertops, floors, and surrounds:
- Sweep travertine tile floors each week to get rid of dirt or grit that could scratch the stone.
- Mop tile floors weekly or as needed with a lightly damp cloth or microfiber mop.
- Protect tile countertops from heat and moisture with hot pads, coasters, and trivets.
- Don’t cut directly on your travertine tile countertops.
- Clean the counters as needed with a damp microfiber cloth and a product specifically made for stone or a gentle liquid soap. Never use bleach, vinegar, or ammonia.
- Dry up spills immediately on any travertine tile surface.
- Clean the soot from a travertine fireplace with stone cleaner as necessary to keep charcoal from setting into the stone.
Travertine Tile vs. Porcelain Tile
If you have been considering porcelain tile for your home, you may be wondering about the differences between it and travertine tile.
Aesthetically, there are porcelain tiles that look similar to natural stone, including travertine. You won’t find porcelain tiles that look exactly like the natural stone of travertine, but there are several that look remarkably close to the appearance of honed or polished finishes. This is especially true when this type of porcelain tile is installed by a professional who is skilled in arranging the tiles in a random pattern.
While porcelain tiles are hard and durable, they are much more DIY-friendly than travertine tiles.
Travertine-style porcelain tiles are also less expensive than true travertine and average from $7 to $10 per square foot for professional installation.
Interior Motives Flooring: The Experts When It Comes To Flooring Questions and Installation
Whether you are interested in travertine tile or some other flooring option, Interior Motives Flooring has you covered.
Since 1989 we’ve been the premiere flooring company for the residents of Auburn, providing installation of:
- Tile
- Vinyl
- Hardwood
- Laminate; and
- Carpeting
Let us help you improve your home’s appearance and value and bring functionality to your life.
Skip the average “big box” store experience and get the personal touch that comes with a small-town company.
Contact the father/son team at Interior Motives Flooring today for a free consultation.
