If you are looking for the most durable building material then it is absolutely undeniable that travertine is the hardest and the strongest material found on earth and it is for this reason that buildings like the Roman Colosseum, Paris's Sacre Coeur Basilica and Los Angeles Getty center used travertine as the prominent building material. Travertine is classified as a limestone but it is also referred to as travertine marble. Travertine is a favorite amongst architectures and builders who use this rock in the form of tiles for various aspects like flooring and also as part of the courtyards and patio's.
Travertine tiles come in a variety of designs and styles. Three prominent styles that are found in Travertine tiles include tumbled travertine which comes in vast variety of colors and sizes. The tumbled finish gives travertine a flat look which does not reflect much light therefore it is widely used for naturally lit areas. The Brushed is very much like tumbled but it has twin features including the flat finish and also a little bit of texture.
The third is polished finish which is much shinier and also has a smoother look. The most popular and common finish found in travertine tiles is honed or matte. Honed tiles have a smooth and flat appeal which resembles the matte appearance. Travertine flooring can be used anywhere staring from room floors to the bathroom, outside spaces like patio or garden path, the counter tops and even on the walls for adding a classic feel of ambience to the space. Colors and tones of travertine include egg shell color to a reddish dark tan to even fuller shades like beige, ivory, gold and walnut.
Travertine floors are not just beautiful but are also very durable and strong. Since the material comes in a variety of different colors therefore travertine can be contrasted well with the interior furniture according to the preference. Travertine is porous and therefore it changes color and grows even richer in color and texture. The biggest benefit that travertine renders is in the form of cost effectiveness and availability as it can be easily purchased from even reliable online sources. Apart from this the replacements of travertine tiles are also relatively simpler as no matching is required. Builders prefer travertine since the material can be easily cut to fit into the most complex spaces without any difficulty.
One can hence use travertine tiles for the kitchen back splashes and also the shower areas since it is durable and also easy to install. Also these floors are easy to clean and maintain because of there compact internal structure which does not let the material absorb anything staring from gasses, dirt and even chemicals. Travertine is a perfect deal for those who like elegance coupled with cost effective durability.
