Pros and Cons of Travertine Countertops

Kitchen countertops are one of the first things your guest will notice when they walk into the room. However, when it comes to your countertop material, you not only need something that will look good but also perform well for all of your kitchen activities. 

At GMS Werks, we provide natural stone countertop installation, repairs and maintenance services in both residential and commercial properties. There are many materials to choose from for natural stone countertops! Below, we go over the pros and cons of travertine kitchen countertops!

Pros of Travertine

Travertine kitchen 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 your kitchen. Travertine countertops are extremely durable and last much longer than most other materials. They absorb water and moisture which makes them a good choice for installation 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 replacing tiles made of travertine much simpler, just find a similar tile and swap out 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 shipment and labor.

Travertine is a good choice if you want an aesthetically pleasing appearance but 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. Travertine is also very eco-friendly due to it being a natural and environmentally-friendly product.

Cons of Travertine

Probably the biggest drawback of travertine countertops is that they can easily react to acids. 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 need to reseal them every two to three years. Also, the absorption of liquid can end result in bacteria growth, so it’s important to disinfect them regularly.

The softness of travertine makes it easy to scratch. Because of this, you may need to avoid placing any hard or heavy objects that could catch or damage the stone on its surface. It’s also important to avoid abrasive cleaning products and materials. 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, to protect your travertine countertops, you will need to use cooling racks!

When it comes to choosing new countertops for your kitchen, natural stone of any sort is a great option! Whether you choose travertine, marble, granite or quartzite, you will be choosing a material that is eco-friendly, durable and beautiful. 

At GMS Wërks, we can help you with your next kitchen or bathroom renovation project! Give our team a call today to learn about our natural stone services!