Travertine Floor Tile

Travertine floor tile adds a touch of elegance to any room. It is a natural stone derived from limestone that gets its beauty from its unique porous veins. It comes in a wide variety of colors and has been used in beautiful buildings throughout the world as it radiates an aura of affluence, luxury and success. While this type of stone is porous, staining is a less common problem due to contemporary methods of milling and sealing the stone. Travertine is increasingly used today in columns, countertops, pavers, bathtubs and sinks as well as for flooring. This Landscaping Network video features a pool deck constructed from travertine pavers:

In order to purchase travertine tile appropriate for your home, you should become familiar with its types and grades.

Travertine Types

Depending on the cut type, travertine can have a dramatically different look. The Fleuri Cut and the Vein Cut are the cut types used to create travertine floor tile. The Fleuri or Cross Cut is made parallel to the bedding plane and creates a random, often circular pattern. Due to holes that may appear with heavy use, it is not the best choice for high-traffic areas. The Vein Cut is made against the bedding plane and exposes the edge of the formation, yielding a linear pattern.

Travertine Grades

Travertine is available in premium (first), standard (second) and commercial (third) grades. Premium travertine has the greatest range in colors free from dark discoloration; the tiles are double filled by machinery and by hand and have smooth evenly-sized edges. Standard travertine is similar to premium but has a more limited color selection which may contain swirls or striations; some large holes are allowed. Commercial travertine tiles are not hand filled and edges may be broken or cracked; it may have gray or black discolorations and small unfilled holes and defects in honing and sizing.

Pros and Cons

Travertine floor tile, like any type of natural stone decor, can increase the value of your home. It is very eco-friendly as it does not require abrasive or acidic cleaners. Travertine, however, is a more expensive flooring option. It is susceptible to scratching and absorbs water, making it liable to breaking and cracking over cycles of freezing and thawing. It is not recommended for pet or high-traffic areas. If your budget allows and the planned area of installation has low foot traffic, however, travertine floor tile can provide beauty and charm to your home.