How about Installing Travertine Countertops & Floor Tiles in Your Kitchen

Selecting the right countertop for your kitchen can be a tricky and expensive matter. Let’s study about the specialities of Travertine stone.

Travertine is composed of Calcium Carbonate, which belongs to a large family of stones called limestone. Marble, a type of limestone, is formed by the additional heat and pressure of the earth’s crust, whereas travertine is formed by dissolving the minerals in groundwater and then getting deposited on the earth surface by rivers, geysers and natural springs. 

Travertine countertop and floor tiles can provide a classic and traditional look to your kitchen. It evokes a feeling of antiquity. Travertine stone comes in variety of sizes and shapes and is available in both slabs and tile formats. The size ranges from miniature mosaics to huge 36 inch tile. It may be a pleasant surprise for you to know that travertine countertop can be installed at the rate below the cost of mid-grade granite. 

Travertine comes in earth tones from colours of ivory to rich shades of gold, red and brown and is popular for its slightly pitted surface texture. The predominant colour trait of travertine never appears as one solid colour but perceived as inherent tonal variations and veining characteristics. You can perceive the overall coloration of the countertop after laying a significant portion of the tile. 

Travertine has not only diverse sizes and colour tones, but also available with various surface textures such as saw cut, tumbled, polished, chiselled-edged, brushed, bush hammered and undulated. Some of the travertine tile finishes such as undulating finish and pillowed are not suitable for kitchen countertops. 

With its old-world classic appearance, Travertine is known for its texture of slightly pitted surface. Though these pits offer the character for the stone, it can trap food particles and absorbs liquid and eventually stains the countertop. The softness of travertine makes it easily prone to etching and abrasion. The acidic substances can also stain the stone very easily. However, you can protect the stone from dirt, stain, scratches by honing it to a slightly matte finish with the help of a natural stone restoration specialist. The pits that are occurred naturally can be perfectly filled in with resin or grout and the stone surface can be sealed to prevent staining. 

A good effective impregnating sealer can provide the necessary protection from staining but any acidic liquid spilled can leave etched area on the stone surface. If there is severe etching on your travertine countertop, a qualified professional like The Marble Man is needed to refinish it. You can keep your travertine countertop looking new by using cutting boards and coasters when handling hot items or acidic substances. 

It is crucial to know the nature of this stone prior to choosing this as the countertop material. Naturally the travertine stone has tiny depressions and holes on the surface. There are many ways to make it as a smooth plane, if this pitted surface is not to your liking. Filled travertine is available where the factory applies stone dust resin to the surface.  You can also order it in the natural state, unfilled and you ask your installer to fill the holes with the suitable epoxy or grout. It is important to know that when the installer fills the pitted surface there is possibility for slight depressions. 

Though travertine is a high-maintenance countertop especially for kitchen applications, the aesthetic benefits of the stone overcome the cons. Regardless of its various colour, size and finish, travertine appeals well for a countertop material. It is becoming more popular among designers and people who seek for the essence of age-old classic beauty. 

Do you want to polish, seal and repair natural stone countertops in the kitchen and bathroom, or stone floors in your home or business place? Contact The Marble Man who is Australia’s leading Marble, Granite, Travertine Stone Benchtop and Tile Restoration Specialist. Their team of professionals offers effective stone care solutions at affordable prices. Call them today on 1300 627 626 for a free stone restoration quote.