Travertine Tiles

Travertine is an interesting natural stone and is actually a form of limestone, formed in limestone caves and hot springs, and looks much like marble and gives a sense of added luxury to any room. It is a much-preferred option for flooring mainly due to its versatility, considering that travertine tiles come in a wide variation of color, with the most popular being Ivory, Silver, Beige, Gold, Noche, and Walnut (colour naming in the Travertine industry can vary).With its distinctive, pale look, and very long history of illustrious use, it is no wonder that it is a fast becoming home décor trend. If you consider that it has been used in architecture from the ancient years and up to The Renaissance (I.e. the Roman Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Basilica, Getty Center in L.A. and The Sacre Coeur Basilica in Paris), you can understand that it is an ideal material for your floors, walls and pavings and patios.In detail, travertine is a magnificent material to use for the following reasons:

1. Style Variety

Travertine floor tiles won’t leave much to be desired considering variety. Unlike other flooring types, it has a broad collection of color, pattern, and style options to please the preferences of all tastes. It can blend perfectly with many color schemes, ranging from off-white to darker beige hues.Of course, it isn’t only used for flooring. Travertine wall tiles are very popular and make a great bathroom or kitchen stone.However, the benefits go far beyond simplistic style. Besides the many style options, it can be an excellent investment in your home that will help you create a bold look with its natural veining forming one-of-a-kind patterns. This means that you can install floors that look elegant, bold, and unique effortlessly, adding value to your property.

2. Easier to Install and Fix than Marble or Porcelain

Many people compare travertine to marble in appearance, but it is significantly easier to fix and replace it and much more cost-effective than with the other flooring types. Also, finding a travertine tile to match with your existing floor will not be a big issue. In the long run, you could save a lot of money and time than if you were using synthetic porcelain tiles that are not appropriate when looking for a quick fix.That said, installing travertine floors is a more simplified process because it can be cut and shaped easily, which makes even a DIY repair or install something completely doable.

3. Eco-Friendly

The Go Green trend has many followers and choosing a more environmentally-friendly flooring option can be a superb way to join the club! Travertine is a natural material that doesn’t have to go through the manufacturing process, as opposed to porcelain, which makes it ideal for those with an ecological mind set.On the other hand, it tend to be quite porous, so wear and tear will show over time unless you have its holes filled and the entire tile sealed properly by a professional. We offer sealed and honed tiles at Tile Land, with a great variety in our large London warehouse. Also, it can etch, which means that you need to be careful with spills from vinegar, lemon juice, coffee, and other acids (more about maintaining travertine in a later section).Where to use itTravertine tiles are usually used for walls, floors and other indoor projects (i.e. shower, countertops) while pavers* are great for outdoor use, such as pool decks, patio areas, driveways, and walkways.*travertine patio pavers are 1 ¼” thick while tiles are 0.5” thick.Indicatively, they can also be used in:

1. Entryways

Pick travertine if you want a beautiful, dramatic flooring to be what your guests will see the minute they enter your house. The timeless and glamorous look of this type of flooring will give your floors a sense of class and elegance. Now, if you want a bigger visual punch, you can always have a travertine Medallion (a wall decoration or floor centerpiece built using mosaic stone pieces) crafted out for you.As for high-traffic wear down, you have nothing to worry about, if your entryway floors are properly filled and sealed (this procedure will also help need less upkeep compared to carpet or hardwood flooring options).

2. Kitchen

Polished travertine is extremely stain resistant which is why it makes an excellent material for kitchen floors, and backsplashes. With no concerns regarding food spills, and combined with the sleek appearance you get from this stone, you can achieve modern and stylish looks or more aged and rustic (with brushed or honed tiles) and create a dreamy environment for you and your loved ones. The only thing you should keep in mind is that acidic substances can be problematic in this kitchen, so better refer to the maintenance tips followed (see the next section).

3. Bathroom

It’s also great for bathrooms as travertine bathroom tiles are water-resistant, which means that any splashes and spills from the bath, shower, and sink won’t damage them. Of course, you can only appreciate the superb durability of this material in a room that is used every day by all family members. That aside, this gorgeous stone will make your bathroom exude a sense of old charm, making relaxing in your bath surrounded by candles a divine experience.Tip: Polished travertine should better be avoided in bathrooms because it becomes slippery when wet. Instead having it honed, tumbled, or brushed are all ideal choices for their great traction.There are endless travertine bathroom ideas, as long as you are willing to let your creative side take over for a while. Check out our collection to get inspiration, here!

4. Exterior Uses

Patios, porches, swimming pools, wetrooms and driveways are just some of the places where you could install travertine and look amazing (as it is non-slippery). That aside, because it already looks weathered and full of character and charm, it is the right choice for the exterior walls of buildings, especially if the designer wants to give a distinctive look that won’t deteriorate over time. Thanks to its timeless appearance and the fact that it is impervious to weather and temperature extremes (it can withstand cracking or other changes that occur with climate changes, stays cool even at extreme temperatures, which makes it suitable for outdoor furniture (i.e benches) and swimming pools, and is not affected by freezing temperatures), it makes an ideal insulation to buildings (floors, shower walls, walls, etc.).How to Look After TravertineCleaning and care procedures for limestone, marble, and travertine are pretty much the same, as all three types of stone share similar chemical and physical composition. As previously mentioned, travertine is sensitive to acidic liquids (i.e. juice and wine) and much depends on the type of finish applied to it. To protect it from getting stained, you need a sealer (see our Travertino Classico Polished or Travertino Silver Polishedtiles for excellent samples of stain-resistant travertine that offers designers almost endless possibilities for refined designs that stand out).To help maintain the superb looks of your travertine walls and floors:

1. Seal the Stone – If you have honed or tumbled travertine installed in your house, make sure it has been sealed (check with our friendly customer service team as we pride ourselves on not only having the best quality stone, and the best value for money, but also having the best customer support of any travertine supplier in London or the UK). This is particularly helpful in the event of a spill of an aggressive agent, especially on travertine kitchen tiles (floors, splashback and countertops).
2. Clean Spills Immediately – Carbonated beverages, ketchup, tomato sauce and other acidic foods have to be wiped up the soonest possible, using a stone cleaning product and hot water (nothing that contains bleach, ammonia, citrus cleaning agents, or vinegar, or anything store-bought that has chemicals, such as alkalis and acids, though).
3. Dust Mop the Floor – It is advised not to vacuum travertine stone to avoid cracks and chips created by the machine. Instead, use a clean, dry mop regularly and a wet mop with a cleaning agent formulated for natural stone and hot water about once a week.
4. Protect to Maintain – Carpet runners and door mats help keep foot traffic from damaging the travertine. For baths and countertops, you can use decorative trays to place your bath products and toiletries and coasters for all drinks.
5. Treat Stubborn Stains – If the normal cleaning procedures are not effective, you can use a poultice, by combining baking powder with a formulated stone cleaner. Create a paste and smooth it over the stain. Then cove it with plastic wrap and let is stand for a few days. It will gradually draw the stain out. To remove the poultice, just buff it with a cotton cloth and warm water.

For more serious stains that have penetrated the stone, you may need to administer an alkaline cleaner. However, this should be your last resort.Travertine is a fantastic choice of stone for kitchens, bathrooms, and dining areas, among others, and it’s luxurious appeal is definitely a hot selling point for estate agents. When you are considering to incorporate it into your design plans, you should consult a professional regarding the performance and limitations of this type of natural stone so that you get all your questions answered by those that know the most about natural stone and avoid damage, staining, and etching. For that reason, never hesitate to contact our friendly experts at Tile Land and ask any concern you have related to natural stones and how to use them best in your project. We have our own quarries and factories, and the widest collection of travertine tiles in London, so we definitely know all there is around natural stones!What Makes Tile Land Unique?We are dedicated to unearthing the finest natural stones from our own quarries and provide our customers with high-quality tiles, paving, and mosaics, with upmarket finishes from our own factories. With one of the widest selections of natural stone products in the UK (polished, honed, tumbled, sand-blasted or antiqued), and relying solely on our own quarries, we have managed to keep prices at manufacturer’s level so that you get the quality you deserve without overspending with contractors and middlemen and any agents of any sort.In our showroom, you will have the opportunity to see a broad array of products, from travertine wall tiles to marble floor tiles, to splashbacks and gorgeous natural stone msoaics, and anything in between.

You can find us at 59-61 Minerva Road, Park Royal, London, (for detailed directions, please use this map) but you could also call us on 020 8965 7773.

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