Travertine has been long used since thousands of years ago and it is a form of limestone that is resulted from the process of carbonate mineral sedimentation at hot mineral springs or limestone caves. They are mainly made up of calcium carbonate and their color varies according to their iron content. One well known structure to proof that travertine is a solid and long lasting building material is the Roman Coliseum.
In this modern age, travertine is still being greatly used in the construction industry and in designs of both residential as well as commercial buildings. But what are the distinctive features of travertine tiles that make it such a good choice in flooring and wall tiling over other types of natural stones for all these years? The short answer would be their rustic look and warm appearance.
The process of making travertine tiles is the most crucial stage to bring out its quality and uniqueness in their design. After quarrying the stone, they will be carefully selected according to colors before being cut into tiles. Travertine tiles will be complete off with several different finishes including polished, honed, tumbled and brushed. And because they are made from natural stone, no one piece of these tiles will look exactly the same.
Before you get to know what types of finishes is more suitable, you might want to consider where you will install them and the surrounding conditions. Areas with heavy foot traffic and high level of moisture can be a problem for travertine because they can be stained very easily. But, they can be prevented by using sealant which might help protect the tiles from staining. Choose only appropriate sealant and follow the instruction on the label of the product. If you are in doubt, be sure to ask your local tile experts for advice.
When you have the location in mind, you need to choose one tile finish that is ideal for the condition. For wet or outdoor areas, tumbled and brushed travertine tiles might be the best choice because they are rough hence not slippery. Plus they will not absorb heat which is a great option for paving around the pool. Polished and honed tiles can be extremely slippery, so they have to be installed in a place that is not going to be wet. Now, you should be able to buy tiles according to their respective purposes and make the best use out of them.
If you are installing them by yourself, you have to expect there will be a slight variant in the color of all the tiles. However, this natural occurrence is what makes the stone unique. Remember to check for any broken tiles and read the warranty before installation. You can always be creative in your interior or exterior flooring design by running an arrangement of the tiles before installing and see how you would like them to be.
