4 Pros and 4 Cons of Travertine Floors You Should Definitely Know

Travertine is a natural stone which has been for centuries through the world, especially in Italy and Turkey. In recent times, this natural stone has been very popular all over the world as a flooring material, as well as a decorative material for countertops, backsplashes and other surfaces.

We have already mentioned in our previous articles that this natural stone comes in a variety of colors (ivory, beige, reddish brown and even gold) according to the iron percentage in the stone itself. And also, travertine offers different types of finishes such as matte, polished, brushed or tumbled. But in this article, we are going to deal with the pros and cons of travertine floors for those who are planning to decorate their houses or offices with travertine. Keep on reading!

Pros of Travertine Floors:

1. Variety of Styles: Be sure that travertine floor tiles are available in a wide variety of style and color options according to your own aesthetic choices. It means that your flooring does not have to be in single color or a boring style. You have a wide range of pattern and color options to choose, so you have the ability to achieve the exact look you desire for your design.
2. Easier to Fix and Install: Compared to other stones such as marble, travertine is so much easier to be fixed and installed. Therefore, you can save a lot of time and money especially in the long run.
3. Being Environmental-Friendly: Travertine is the type of stone which is more eco-friendly than the other materials (compared to porcelain). Since travertine tiles do not have to go through the manufacturing process, it is a perfect option for those who favor the “Going Green” trend.
4. Different and Bold: With travertine floors, you can achieve a “bold” and “different” look in your homes or offices. Due to the fact that travertine stone has a natural “veining”, it has a unique and different pattern, which will add a perfect touch to your interior design.

Cons of Travertine Floors:

1. Porous structure: This is maybe the most important con of travertine material. This stone tends to be extremely porous since it naturally has many holes in it. This means that it is very easy to surface to wear or tear in the long run. Even though these holes are small, they are easily noticeable, which can be a disadvantage for those who do not like such appearances. You should give travertine floors a regular care for filing the holes. You need to spend more time to care for. Powders, sealants or polishing products might be used accordingly.
2. Highly Reactive to Acidic Substances: If you accidently spill orange or lemon juice on the travertine floor, there is always a risk of permanent stain. You should be really careful while using travertine floors if you have small kids or you need to think twice if you plan to use travertine floor to decorate your restaurant.
3. Little Bit Expensive: Compared to other flooring materials, travertine is a little bit more expensive. If you are on a budget, you might want to consider other alternatives. Travertine’s being easy to be fixed or installed does not change the fact that it is not a budget friendly option.
4. Vinegar or Salt Cannot be Used for Cleaning: Due to the acidic and harsh content of vinegar and salt, you cannot use them for cleaning travertine. The porous structure of travertine tiles directly suck up the vinegar, which will probably leave a permanent stain in the floor. Therefore, you need to pay a little bit more for cleansing agents if you have travertine floors.