Travertine Bathroom Ideas for 2018

What is Travertine?

Travertine is porous limestone formed from mineral springs. It can be sealed or not depending upon its installation and usage. Its permeability feature gives it subtle natural texture. Travertine tiles can be used for flooring or bathroom shower tiles. Since it is penetrable, therefore it requires a couple of coats of sealant in order to protect it from dirt penetrating inside the tile.

Travertine has a variety of colors which are formed naturally depending upon the chemical composition and mineral compounds. They originate in different colors when they undergo pressure for a large time period. Some of the various colors of Travertine are Ivory, Walnut, Pearl, Noche, Gold, Silver, Da Vinci, Tahoe and many others.

Travertine Products

Travertine can be transformed in many styles depending upon its usage. Some different styles of Travertine are:

Mosaic: Many small brick style travertine tiles are attached to a net for easy installation. Usually used for backsplash and accent walls.

Paver: Usually available in 1 ¼“ thick paver tile which is installed over sand. Durable and used for patios, pool decks and driveways.

SplitFace: It is rough surface available in free length.

Tile: Installed over mud and are available in 3/8” thick tiles. Typically used for indoor areas.

Travertine Finishes

Variety of travertine finishes can be used for kitchen, bathroom or any other location. For this purpose, one must know the finishes. Several finishes that give more variety to travertine are:

Brushed: It has a worn textured look. It is achieved by using a wired brush. It can be used both indoor and outdoor where honed or tumbled travertine can be used.

Chiseled: Edges are slightly chiseled. It gives travertine more relic look. It is mostly used in combination with brushed or honed travertine.

Filled: travertine pores are filled with cement or solid color resin in order to give it more refined look.

Honed: Travertine surface has matt finish and rustic edge. Its texture is smooth. For this purpose, it is ground from one side of the unfinished stone. It can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, pool area or showers.

Tumbled: Tumbled travertine has a soft and warm look and feel. Edges and corners are marginally rounded giving it a soft feel. Mostly used in backsplashes, walk-in showers, tub surrounds.

Travertine needs to be installed using various adhesives, grout and sealants. Furthermore, they need to be protected by sealers in order to stay fresh and stain free for a longer period of time.

Travertine Bathrooms

Bathrooms are an integral part of a house. Their appearance can make or break your whole design scheme which is why homeowners should do extensive research before buying bathroom related natural stone. Due to the myriad of colors travertine comes in, homeowners have plenty of options that can be used for bathroom decoration. The final selection depends on the budget of the homeowner and the aesthetics they are aiming for.

Since travertine is softer as compared to porcelain and other stones it is perfect for bathroom installations. Its quality to be soft as well as unbreakable makes it easy to be cut and fit into odd areas found in the bathroom such as areas around showers and tubs which helps in creating a seamless look.

Travertine Bathroom Design Ideas

Listed here are some stunning design ideas based on different travertine colors that can serve as an inspiration for your next bathroom remodeling project:

• Walnut travertine: A walnut travertine bathroom floor with matching backsplash looks lovely with its different tones of light brown in a simple bathroom with neutral colored walls. To add a bit of panache, we would recommend pairing the walnut travertine tiles with ebony cabinets.
• Noce: Use Noce travertine large tiles in a diamond pattern for covering the floor and use small sized tiles in a simple regular pattern for adorning the walls of your bathroom. Add a glass vessel sink in orange or reddish hue for a pop of color.
• Chocolate: Use the Chocolate travertine for covering the floor and walls of the bathroom in combination with a white marble countertop. The dark brown color will look dazzling with the white marble.
• Old Wood: Old Wood travertine is perfect if you want the wood-ish look in your bathroom. Keep the pattern simple to achieve the illusion of wood installment on the floor. Another thing you can do to increase the beauty of your bathroom is installing walnut wood cabinets to complement your wooden tiles.
• Silver: Silver travertine is a favorite of those who prefer the modern bathroom styles. You can use this gorgeous stone for creating contemporary to ultra-modern looks. If you want the contemporary then go for cross-cut silver travertine tiles but if your design is for the ultra-modern types then we would recommend vein-cut silver travertine tiles and countertop.
• Classico: If you like pastel-colored walls in your bathroom then we recommend going for Classico travertine tiles. The natural cork color of the tiles would look great on the floor in the herringbone pattern.
• Beige: The Beige travertine is a pale fawn stone tile that looks outstanding when installing in a stack bond pattern. Add a white bathtub and sink with silver bathroom accessories for a complete look.
• Navona: Navona travertine can look elegant in a bathroom. Use vein-cut tiles for covering the walls and Navona mosaic tiles on the floor. Finish the look with wall-hung white sinks with a simple rectangle vanity mirror.
• Gold: Gold travertine is dazzling with its shades of gold and speck of white. Create a regal bathroom fit for royalty with tumbled gold travertine mosaic tile on the upper half of the bathroom wall and neutral colored tiles on the lower half of the wall and floor. Add a gilded vanity, picture frame and bathroom accessories in gold with a white marble vanity bathroom top for an exquisite result.
• Onyx Light: Onyx Light travertine helps in creating a warm bathroom that looks classy with its simplicity. Add dark wood vanity cabinets and wooden framed vanity. To add a bit of flair, consider installing a soaking tub in the corner of the bathroom.
• Scabos: Scabos is a colorful travertine type. Use the stretcher bond for covering the floor of the bathroom and paint the walls white. If the paint is not your thing then use any neutral colored tiles for a balanced look.

Pros and Cons of Travertine in Bathroom

Depending on the usage of Travertine, there are a few pros and cons of their installation in the bathroom. Some of them are:

Durability: Being water and moisture resistant, travertine is very durable. For long life of travertine, good care is a must. It will stay new for a long time thus giving your place a fresh look whether it is a bathroom, pool deck or paver.

Exquisite Look and Feel: Travertine, when installed in the bathroom in diamond style, it gives a unique style. If installed in shower or counter tops, it gives a luxurious look. Similarly, the mosaic backsplash for the bathroom will give a finished look.

Color Diversity: The wide color range of travertine helps you to give the look the way you want. Weather its tones of gray giving sober look, shades of brown or hues of rust giving the location antique look. If installed in the bathroom, can be complemented with other tones of exactly your choice.

Four Different Finish Styles: The best thing about travertine is that one can use them in four different finishes i.e. tumbled, matte honed, brushed and polished or they can be used in combinations. For travertine to be installed in the bathroom, roughly brushed and tumbled is ideal in the shower. For countertops, one must go for honed travertine, smooth and natural. Polished travertine is a cost-effective alternative to marble and hence can give an exquisite look to your bathroom.

Maintenance: Travertine’s maintenance cost is low. Since it is a porous tile, therefore regular filling of the holes is necessary otherwise they will enlarge as per their usage. You can also have the holes filled which will lead to only annual resealing.

Travertine tiles are not always the best option to be used for your bathroom. These tiles are some loopholes too which can be catered if one wants their installation in basin or shower area.

Porous Structure: Travertine tiles are porous and have numerous troughs and holes. With the passage of time, they may increase. If installed in the bathroom, they need to be properly sealed.

Reactive to Acidic Substance: Travertine is prone to etching and staining similar to other stones. Special care is required for its sealing and cleaning. It is necessary to protect it from vinegar and citrus stain since they cause much etching. In bathrooms; soaps, body wash, shampoo and other solutions which may fall during showing may cause staining. Best is to refresh the sealer on a timely basis and regular proper cleaning.

Expensive: Travertine is less expensive than marble but still expensive than other natural stones like granite. Its cost includes not only for the tile but also the grout, sealer and labor. For locations like the bathroom, they need much protection cost since they are more exposed to water and moisture.

Heavier: Travertine tiles are not a piece of cake when it comes to installation. Their weigh may cause much transportation charges. If the building is multistoried, it will cost even more for tiles to be installed.

Maintenance Tips

Travertine bathrooms can last for a long time if proper care is taken. Listed below are some tips for travertine bathrooms’ cleaning and maintenance:

• Always use a non-acidic cleaner for the monthly thorough cleaning of your bathroom.
• Use trays for keeping your toiletries in order to keep the countertop safe from staining hazard.
• Re-seal the tiles every year to retain the lustrous look of the stone.
• Never leave your bathroom wet for a prolonged period of time as this will allow mold to grow in between the tiles. Remember to mop it dry after every shower.
• Clean your bathroom tiles either daily or thrice a week with soap and mild warm water. Non-abrasive cleaners should be used only once a week.
• Special care should be given to grout lines as dirt, grime and mold quite often grows inside of them and ruins the tiles. Scrubbing the grout lines with a toothbrush and soap once a week can help prolong the durability of your tiles.

Conclusion

Travertine tiles have their own pros and cons when it comes to being installed in the bathroom. However, careful observation shows that cons outweigh pros and hence for a sophisticated yet antique look at the same time this stone is perfect. Travertine bathroom ideas are a hit this year with homeowners of every style and design taste. If you want affordable luxury that is less expensive then marble then go for this stone.