Why Do People Like Travertine Floors So Much?

Many decorators believe they like Travertine tile flooring for many reasons, although a homeowner who is remodeling should read up on the facts. Travertine has been used for hundreds if not thousands of years for flooring. The ancient Romans used it in homes as well as for walkways and some great examples are still around to be appreciated. So what does this tell you? Natural travertine lasts forever (almost). Once it is installed you may as well hire a bulldozer to get it up again. If a homeowner has a Travertine foyer or kitchen and wants to sell their home, they need to find a prospective buyer who likes the same color and style. They will not be able to install over it successfully.

Travertine is made from a limestone cousin - like the great pyramids. The stone is soft and can chip and break easily. However, it is still a tough customer. And it is heavy as granite (almost). A simple 12" x 12" tile could weigh up to five pounds. True, gold weighs more but installing Travertine tile flooring can be back-breaking.

Most of the tiles come in polished and unpolished stone. There are advantages and disadvantages of each. The natural, unpolished stone is quite porous. This means that dirt, grime, spills and other liquids can get into the pores and remain forever. It is extremely hard to clean. Imagine trying to clean peanut butter off a half of an English muffin with all its nooks and crannies. Yet, slipping on natural Travertine is usually not an issue. If it gets wet you still have traction.

However, you can have polished Travertine tile flooring. This type of tile flooring is easy to clean. However, due to its polished finish it is very easy to slip on - even when it is dry. All authentic Travertine floor tiles are considered upper-end. They are expensive. But the colors are amazing.

There are other choices when considering Travertine tile flooring. There is the tumbled version. When the tiles are tumbled the corners are slightly rounded which prevents a good deal of chipping. You will not get the eye-popping colors of a polished tile. These colors will be more muted and subdued making them more neutral in appearance. You do not have to worry about slipping because tumbled Travertine is very easy on the feet. It is ideal for those who want a vintage or old world look to their homes.

For those who are on a shoestring budget there is laminate flooring that looks like Travertine from a distance. However, it is still laminate and once your guests step on it they will be able to tell it is a poor relation.

If you need to remain within a modest budget there are ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles that are made to look like Travertine. In both of these cases they are less expensive, easier to install and easier to maintain and keep clean.