Pros and Cons of Travertine Countertops

Travertine is commonly used in Italy. This natural stone has been used in the area since the Roman Empire which gives Italian architecture its beautiful natural stone design. From Italy to a homeowner’s shower, is travertine tile for anyone’s home? These are the travertine tile pros and cons for the best informed decision. 

What is Travertine? 

Travertine is a type of limestone that is formed around mineral springs and geysers. Often times, Marble and Travertine stones get confused because of their similarities in color and marbling effects. While these two stones are similar they’re NOT formed in the same place which does give them a slight variation in their colors and marbling effects. Travertine is a common stone used in bathrooms, shower tiles, pools and outside kitchen areas. 

Could this tile be better suited in different places dependent on its travertine tile pros and cons? 

The pros 

Travertine is cheaper than its competitors marble and granite. Often times, if homeowners and businesses are on a tight budget but want the elegance of natural stone in their design travertine is the best option for these spaces. 

There are as many options travertine tile colors as marble and granite; on the other hand, travertine installed into areas with natural sunlight will have a glossy glow added into this space. The polish that is added to the tile acts as a reflection of sunlight. The perfect open, airy and bright room could happen with the installation of travertine! 

As if these aren’t wonderful pros already, travertine is easy to replace and is extremely durable. How do we know this? The coliseums throughout Italy were designed and built with travertine! If these coliseums are still standing today, then travertine in a home or office should last for the lifetime of the space. On the rare chance that tiles start to break, travertine is easily replaceable with a single tile at a time. No need to replace several. 

While there are several advantages, there are also cons that are needed to make an informed decision. 

The cons 

While travertine is durable, cheaper than its competitors and long-lasting it often takes more maintenance than other natural stone on the market. Travertine by nature is a very porous stone, which means that liquid can easily get into these pores. Because of this sealant is periodically added to travertine tiles to keep liquid from getting into the stone’s pores. 

Often times, natural stone can be extremely heavy, and travertine is no exception to this. These types of tiles tend to be heavier than others which can make for a longer installation process inside a space and a need for an engineer. An engineer needs to ensure the floors or countertops are able to withstand the weight of the stone. 

This con is not specifically just for travertine tiles but for all natural stone tiles. Homeowners often state that natural stone tile can be a cold tile and flooring option inside of a home. Not because of the color, but it actually being cold to the touch! This can be fixed with rugs and wearing slippers or socks around the home in the Winter; on the other hand, during the hot Summers in the Midwest this stone is perfect! (See how a con can be a pro!) 

These are the most common travertine tile pros and cons for homeowners or office spaces to make an informed decision on if this natural stone tile is the right fit for the space. For more information on our other natural stone tiles and selection, give us a call today!