Updated: Pros and Cons of Travertine in 2019

Travertine has been used for thousands of years in many amazing structures all over the world. It is a type of limestone that is created from very high heat and pressure. Travertine is very porous and somewhat resembles marble. It is even referred to as onyx marble at times. It is formed and imported from areas in Italy, Turkey, Mexico, and the Middle East. It comes in many earth tone hues, such as walnut, cream, gold, beige, ivory, and coral red. Today we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of having travertine countertops.

Travertine Pros

Travertine countertops create an elegant and delicate aesthetic in the home. The unique veining and imperfections make the stone highly desired.

It is great at reflecting light, which helps brighten the kitchen

Travertine countertops are extremely durable and actually last longer than most other materials. They absorb water and moisture which makes them a good choice for installing them in bathrooms, or for other interior or exterior decorations.

Compared to porcelain tiles, travertine is much easier to cut and shape. This makes it a lot easier to cut pieces to fit small or odd-shaped areas. It also makes it easy to replace tiles made of travertine, just find a similar tile and replace the old one.

Travertine can also be used for sinks, showers, backsplashes, and fireplace panels. They can be made to fit any shape or size which is a plus. Travertine can be purchased as slabs or tiles. The tile sizes vary from small mosaic tiles to large 36-inch tiles. Travertine also weighs less than marble, so that’s helpful for the shipment and labor.

Travertine is a good choice if you want an aesthetically pleasing appearance, but you don’t want to spend too much. It costs less than granite and other types of marble. The range is anywhere from $5 to $30 per square foot depending on the grade.

Last, but not least, travertine is eco-friendly due to it being a natural environmentally friendly product.

Travertine Cons

Probably the biggest drawback of travertine countertops is that they can easily react to acids due to their being highly reactive. Even just a little bit of citrus-based juice can cause a stain. If any liquid is not immediately wiped off you can be left with the surface being etched. If you do a lot of heavy cooking in the kitchen you may want to consider a different material.

The slabs must be properly filled and sealed during installation. After the countertops are installed you will also need to reseal them every 2 to 3 years. Also, due to the absorption of liquid, you can end up with bacteria growth, so it’s important to disinfect them regularly.

Travertine is easy to scratch due to its soft quality. You have to avoid abrasive cleaning materials or products, or any hard objects on the surface. Another thing to consider regarding scratches is that the more polished the surface is, the more the scratches will show. It is not easy to repair damage to travertine countertops.

Direct heat can not be applied to travertine in any way. So, you will need to use cooling racks or rivets to protect it.

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Need help? Contact the Midwest's Travertine Experts!

Hopefully, now that you are aware of some of the major pros and cons of travertine countertops, you can make your decision a little more easily. If you want to check out travertine or other materials for yourself, stop by to visit us at G.M.S. Werks and check out our showroom for your natural stone needs! Our hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

You can also reach us by phone during our normal business hours at 402-451-3400 or email us!

We can’t wait to hear from you!