SpatesCunha593

Decorating and Maintenance Strategies for Travertine Tiles

Travertine tiles have quickly become a popular of homeowners and decorators alike. These versatile flooring tiles may be used both indoors and out, and come in styles that can easily mimic more expensive cuts, like marble. They do require some special maintenance and care but even so, their unique look a lot more than makes up for just about any special considerations that has to be taken.

A Stone having a Long History

Travertine tiles could be a bit expensive for obtain, but the look that they'll give to any home a lot more than makes up for that price of having them installed. A brief history of their use dates back hundreds of years and the best examples can still be found in the ruins dotting the countryside of Italy, Mexico, Peru and Turkey. The biggest producer today of these unique flooring tiles is Italy, though domestic Usa producers still do a fine business quarrying and aging travertine for sale in the united states.

Styles and Finishes

Travertine can be order in one of two finishes: natural and filled. The natural stone look is among the most popular choices when it comes to installing these tiles in an outdoor setting. The appearance of the stone is exactly the way it looks once it is quarried and cut into tiles, resembling limestone in appearance. The overall look once it is installed is of the ancient walkway or floor section, in which the stones within it are pitted and worn through the ages. If used around an outdoor area that sees a lot of traffic, like around a swimming pool, they act as a natural safety barrier, as their composition and pitting provides a slip-proof surface, regardless of how wet they get.

compare prices on travertine tiles

Inside the home, the preference has a tendency to run for the filled travertine. Highly polished to some glossy shine, these tiles can resemble marble and mosaic tile, depending on the composition of the stone if this was filled and polished. This makes them perfect for regions of the home that should be showcased, and can experience little heavy traffic. Entryways and hallways are ideal for them, or larger rooms that will not visit a lot of children or animals running through them. The filled and polished stones can be a bit slippery and are a little more fragile compared to natural stone.

Maintenance Tips

Using travertine outside of the home requires very little maintenance, only a quick washing having a hose occasionally. It is the tile used within the home that could require a bit more care than usual. One thing to bear in mind by using this gemstone in your house, especially in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom, is the fact that any spills will have to be wiped up, immediately. One good reason that they are not often utilized in these rooms is due to the possibility that an acidic juice or carbonated drink will be spilled in it, which could quickly ruin the polished finish if not looked after.

Using commercial cleaners on travertine tiles can also be not really a wise idea. Nearly all commercial cleaners available today can leave a monotonous film behind on these gemstone tiles, lowering the gloss that they are made up of. The best way to clean these tiles is to sweep them, sometimes as much as twice daily, with a soft bristle broom, then a mopping with water that is clean, no additives or detergents. Be careful not to walk in it while wet, because while they possess a natural barrier against slipping on them, they are still fragile enough to become damaged while the stone is drying. Once they are air-dried, if any moisture still exists, it is simple to eliminate it using a dry mop. This will keep the polish and shine of those stone intact.