Travertine Flooring can be a Valuable Compromise

Travertine has become a popular, if upscale, flooring option in the last few years. Consumers who want to add value to their home typically think of using travertine. This flooring option is a type of sedimentary rock that is completely natural and is similar to limestone but more elegant. Travertine is also sometimes referred to as Mexican onyx, Oriental alabaster or Egyptian alabaster.

Besides its beauty, travertine is also popular for many other options including the fact that it is easy to install, offers numerous style options and is quite durable. While travertine certainly offers many advantages, there are also some disadvantages that consumers should be aware of. If travertine is polished it can be quite slippery and become a hazard if it becomes wet.

There are typically four different finishes for travertine. They are polished, honed, brushed and tumbled. Tiles which are polished will have a shiny appearance and will catch the light. Tiles that have been honed will instead have a matte finish with just enough polish for the surface to be smooth and flat. Both tumbled and brushed travertine tiles are textured.

In comparison to other stone flooring options, travertine is just as hard as other options. It is possible for travertine to chip, crack or break like other stone flooring options, but overall, it is quite durable. Adding a sealant can improve the durability of travertine. If travertine is to be used in the kitchen, it is imperative for it to be sealed as it will be prone to absorbing food and grease spills if it is not sealed.

In terms of value, marble is considered to be rarer than travertine and will provide more value, but it will also typically be more expensive as well. As a result, travertine is often a good compromise for consumers who want to add value to their home as well as beauty but who do not want to splurge on marble.

Overall, travertine offers an excellent way to add both value as well as beauty.