Is Travertine Flooring Right for You?
Travertine is an especially attractive form of limestone.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
What Is Travertine Flooring?
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Travertine is a form of limestone that forms around mineral spring deposits.
Tiles made from this stone are used as flooring material.
It is not appropriate for all locations.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
A travertine floor averages about $15 per square foot for materials plus labor.
Maintenance and Repair
Maintaining travertine is paradoxically both complicated and simple.
This dual treatment needs to be applied during installation, then periodically reapplied throughout the life of the floor.
If you want to maintain a glossy surface, more regular resealing will be necessary.
This antique patina is one of the main allures of travertine.
Since travertine flooring is laid in tiles, individual pieces can be removed and replaced if they crack.
If the surrounding floor has weathered, however, the patched area may not match exactly for some time.
Each piece is also a nature-formed work of earth art, creating a one-of-a-kind installation.
When using unsealed tiles, it’s best to apply a sealer before grouting.
While the installation techniques are similar to those for ceramic tile, travertine poses some unique difficulties.
Structural reinforcement is sometimes necessary.
Travertine is a very hard stone, and ordinary tile-cutting tools are not sufficient to cut it.
Instead, a power wet saw equipped with a diamond blade is used.
On chilly mornings the floor can be uncomfortably cold on bare feet.
you’re able to minimize this problem with area rugs placed in strategic positions.
Once the tile heats up, it is an excellent conductor that will gently heat up a room.
Porcelain tiles are quite hard and durable, and much more DIY-friendly than natural stone.
How To Seal a Travertine Floor From Becoming Stained and Etched.
North American Tile Cleaning Organization.
