subject: Travertine 101: Everything You Need To Know About Travertine Tiles [print this page] About Travertine About Travertine
These tiles are durable. But like other limestone, travertine tiles are fairly prone to scratches and chips. They are also heavy and weigh; a 12x12 piece can weight as much as more than 5 pounds. Furthermore, these tiles can be quite expensive since they are shipped from other countries. High quality travertines are imported from Turkey. You have to make sure that you get your moneys worth when choosing this type of flooring.
Tumbled Tiles
One of the popular finishes of travertine tiles is tumbled. Tumbled travertine is somewhat comparable to the stones original state. When polished, tumbled tiles tend to lose their natural appeal and may look different with their newly acquired patina sheen. The color will brighten and even look richer. If you want a reflective characteristic to come with the tiles, you may opt for the glossy variant, which is great for bathrooms.
Here are some other facts about tumbled travertine:
The edges of the tiles tend to be lightly rounded due to the tumbling process the tiles undergo.
These tiles also tend to have subtler and subdued colors or flatter patina.
They are great for garden paths or patios because of their great traction trait.
They can last longer and fit any style. The antique appeal of tumbled travertine flooring gives your space a character.
Alternatives
There are several things to consider when you're planning to own travertine flooring. These are also the reasons why some homeowners like to look for alternatives. Fortunately, there are great options you can choose to as substitute. While they can never be the same as the original, they can still provide the same effect as an authentic travertine.
There is the laminate travertine floor, which look as good as an authentic travertine even when viewed from afar. They are cheaper and popular for budget-conscious homeowners. The only drawback is that they will not feel like original travertine tiles especially for the expert feet.
