Are you considering a home make-over? One luxurious option you can do is to pick out travertine as your flooring treatment. These flooring tiles have a natural depth and stone color which is considered a great addition to the aesthetic value of one’s home. Travertine flooring has a lot of advantages but it also has some limitations. Evaluating your needs, requirements as well as your lifestyle is the key to keeping your flooring tiles functioning at its maximum.
Travertine is a kind of limestone which is formed through mineral deposits and they are most likely found around hot spring. This limestone is made up of calcium carbonate which is the same materials that build up stalactites or stalagmites inside caves.

This type of flooring has been used for centuries not only because it is durable, but also because of its texture and beauty. The Romans has built most of their famous buildings such as the Colosseum using travertine. This notable building is mostly made from travertine and has stayed as a steadfast landmark in Italy. You will also notice this type of flooring in some of the oldest buildings in the world.

Why Choose Travertine Flooring Tiles

Travertine flooring tiles are very durable. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for many years without fade in its appearance. When you see them in suppliers or manufacturers, they are displayed with a marking to show how hard it is using the MOH scale. Generally these flooring tiles have a 3 to 4 rating on the scale which is almost equivalent to the hardness rating of marble. As long as this is sealed, maintained and treated, you are guaranteed tiles to withstand foot traffic for a long time.

Even while your flooring was not sealed and has been installed in its rough condition, it also offers exceptional traction. This makes this flooring tile a great choose over ceramic in outdoor garden or patio. There are also a lot of colors available with this type of flooring. You can opt for brown, red, white, or gold to match any color scheme you have.
Drawbacks of Using Travertine Flooring Tiles

Like many other products, travertine flooring tiles also has some limitations. This type of flooring comes from natural limestone so if they are unsealed, they can be impaired or damaged by products with high acid content because of its porousness. It also easily reacts with acids from food and liquid because of its alkaline quality. Using acid based cleaning products will also corrode and damage travertine flooring tiles over time. Polished variety of this flooring also tends to be quite slippery when wet.

Travertine is considered as a high-end material in construction and also tends to have a premium price range. These flooring tiles are similar with other natural stone tiles which can break or chip and is prone to scratching. It requires regular cleaning and maintenance so it may not be a great option to pick unsealed variety if you have kids and pets. You may find travertine mostly used in patios and living rooms and is rarely chosen for the kitchen or the bathroom.