Travertine Countertops Pros and Cons

Travertine countertops are emerging very fast as popular and affordable kitchen countertops. It is also called the onyx marble and is available in America from Italy and the Middle East. You can peek into history and find that the beautiful Coliseum in Rome is made up of travertine that is over 2000 years old. Travertine is a natural stone that is similar to marble. Marble is a type of limestone that is formed in nature under extreme heat and pressure.

Travertine is available in many earthy colors, as it is a natural stone. You will find many delicious shades of walnut, gold, cream, beige and ivory. These colors are formed due to the mix of iron and other impurities found in earth. They are visually appealing and add an aesthetically pleasing touch in home decor. Therefore, they are favored as flooring tiles, wall covering and countertops since thousands of years in Italy and Turkey. These countertops are available in polished, matte, brushed or tumbled finishes. Let us go into the details of travertine countertops pros and cons.

Advantages of Traventine Countertops
The travertine countertops pros include facts like these are smooth and porous natural stone that has a rich and creamy hue. Travertine kitchen countertops and travertine bathroom countertops are very durable and can also be used for exterior and interior decorations. They are available in different sizes and designs. It is resistant to heat and moisture. You can give a formal look to your home decorations with these countertops.

Travertine is suitable for black splashes, fireplace panels, showers and sinks. It is very easy to cut and shape than porcelain tiles, therefore making it very easy to fill spaces that are small or have an odd dimension. You can find one or two travertine tiles similar to the existing tiles, if you need to replace a tile or two.

Travertine kitchen countertops and travertine bathroom countertops are very sturdy like marble countertops. They do not crack when handled even with a little care. You can buy travertine as tiles or slabs. You have a choice between tiny mosaic tiles and 36 inch travertine tiles to choose from. The different patterns created by the natural veining of the stone helps create a very interesting look in your house. It has a creamy appeal that gives a warm touch to the rooms. Travertine tiles are available for about USD 5 to USD 15 per square foot of the material. The cost is more or less similar to medium grade laminate countertops.

Disadvantages of Travertine Countertops
The major travertine countertops cons is that it is highly reactive and can easily react with acids, orange juice and lime juice. Even a minor spillage will lead to staining. It is not a good idea to install travertine kitchen countertops if you do heavy cooking in your kitchen. Many home owners do not install travertine bathroom countertops and travertine kitchen countertops if they are to be used excessively. You require special products to clean and maintain these countertops. Travertine tiles are slippery when wet and need to be polished and sealed properly to avoid breakage.

Well, these were some travertine countertops pros and cons which can prove to be useful when you are deciding to remodel your home. These countertops are used in many commercial and residential buildings for their aesthetic and visually appealing looks. They are available in a range of colors and are affordable. You may find some drawbacks with natural stone, but they have always been popular with interior designers.