Many don’t know what makes travertine different than other stones. This type of stone is what forms stalactites and stalagmites in limestone caves. Modern day technology can create travertine from heating supersaturated alkaline waters. Because of how the stone is formed, it creates pitted holes in its surface. Depending on the type of travertine finish you choose, these holes are either filled or left unfilled. An example of unfilled tile is tumbled travertine tile. This tile is tumbled to round and smooth the edges while the surface is left unfilled, which creates a more rustic look. Travertine tile is most commonly used in patios, garden paths, framing of a fireplace, bathroom showers, and in kitchens. The use of a travertine mosaic tile as a bathroom backsplash or kitchen backsplash is very common and creates a beautiful look. Mosaic tiles are the smaller ones that are great to use as a border to provide a contrast to the larger travertine wall tiles or floor tiles.

When considering where to install travertine floor tiles, there a few things to keep in mind. Travertine, although a great stone to choose because of its natural beauty, does not withstand acidic substances well. If using this as a floor in the kitchen, it is important to remember that acidic liquids can seriously damage the floor. This means orange juice, vinegar, and certain cleaners can be very harmful. Spills with these substances would need to be cleaned up very quickly before any damage can occur. Also, because most cleaners contain some sort of acidic substance which usually aids in cleaning surfaces, it is important to remember not to use these on this type of tile. Just a sponge and hot water is a great way to clean these stone tiles. Special stone cleaners can also be purchased and used once a week to really clean the stone. Travertine is also not very suitable for high traffic areas because of the softer nature of the stone, unless 3cm thick or more. Even high heels can cause scratches in the tile if worn frequently when walking on the stone. These considerations might feel overwhelming and a reason to not use travertine. But it’s easy to remember and easy to avoid. All you have to do is 1: don’t use acidic substances on the tile, 2: be careful in high traffic areas, and make sure you get a thick enough tile, and most importantly, 3: don’t forget to enjoy the beauty of the stone!