Some of the reasons for choosing travertine tile are the various colors that you can choose from as well as a variety of finishes. The colors range from off-white to a red with brown undertones so you can match it to any decor. The surface finishes include matte, polished, tumbled and brushed. A matte finish leaves the most level surface with a low/matte sheen while the polished is also one of the more level finishes but with nice bit of shine to it; the brushed finish combines the need for a flat surface with a texture for character and the tumbled works great in larger areas with a lot of light as it has a textured flat finish so you don’t have the glare of a polished stone.

Another thing that makes it a great tile for not only professional installers, but homeowners as well, is that it is one of the easier tiles to cut for your angles and shapes.

Maintenance of your tile does require that you clean up spills right away as the tile is more porous then marble or granite and that you not use citrus or acidic based cleaning products, but the little bit of work is more than outweighed by the beauty of durability of the tile. One thing to remember is you may want to choose a more polished finish for areas that are frequently exposed to water or other liquids such as showers or countertops.

Now we get to the things you will need to complete your project and the actual installation:

• Tile (allow for a few extra for cut pieces and/or accidental breakage)
• Cement Backerboard (for floors and wet locations)
• Tile Saw
• Spacers
• Thin-Set Mortar
• Grout
• Tile Sealer
• Notched trowel
• Sponge

Here is a basic overview of the travertine tile installation process:

To begin your flooring project remove the existing floor covering and install cement backerboard; then using thin-set mortar place the tiles on a small area at a time. (Remember it is always best to measure twice and cut once) Once you have laid the floor and it is time to grout it is recommended that you pre-seal the tiles before grouting to prevent staining and seal again after the project is completed.

Available in many neutral colors, this tile is useful in the application of any room or surface. As a flooring option, it makes a durable and long lasting surface option. The cleaning of tumbled travertine flooring consists of simple sweeping and lightly damp mopping. Easy care, low maintenance, and timeless appeal make this a wise choice in durable and attractive flooring selections.

For use as a countertop in the kitchen or bath, tumbled travertine defines your room to a timeless appeal. In colors such as beige, milky white, rusty tan and light gold, decorating your kitchen or bath with this durable and wonderfully textured tile affords whichever room you choose a simple and understated hint of old world grace. As applied to the surface of your kitchen countertops, these tiles may be chosen either beveled or straight cut depending upon your taste. Bull noses made of this stone add a finished touch the many edges and curves of your countertop surface.

As a backsplash in either the kitchen or the bath, this type of tile may be applied and then mixed to accent or highlight a particular area such as behind the stove top or along the top edge of an existing countertop. Using varied colors and patterns of tumbled travertine tile blended within one area, a mildly dramatic style reminiscent of European old world grace and charm can be created and achieved simply and easily.

If used naturally or unsealed this is a wonderful choice for use outdoors as a patio paver or around the family pool. Being a naturally porous product when not finished per preference, tumbled travertine tile offers the user a non-skid surface for use in areas where unshielded water or rain may be consistently prevalent. As it is not a heat retaining product, its use for outdoor application in areas where the sun is consistent makes it ideal for use in playground or other areas where children may require a more user friendly and casual play space.

Tumbled travertine tile offers a versatile, easy to use and durable surface to any home.

When cleaning this type of surface, special care must be taken because of the stone’s fragile nature. This natural stone surface is especially susceptible to etching when it comes in contact with acidic solutions. Etching can significantly damage the appearance of the tile, so it is important to clean up spills expediently, especially if red wine or another acid-rich liquid makes contact with this material.

There are other maintenance tasks that must be performed before even thinking about travertine cleaning. It is important to dust mop this flooring frequently, and coasters should always be used on travertine counter-tops and tables. This material should be sealed before cleaning and it is a good idea to regularly repeat this step. Sealing has nothing to do with preventing etching, but it will help with staining issues.

Once it becomes time to clean this flooring, there is no need to worry. It is simply a matter of apply and wipe. Here are a few tips for cleaning travertine, wherever it may be in the home.

Make sure to use specially designed stone cleaners. Read all the directions to make sure a particular stone cleaner is safe to use on this particular stone surface. Never use regular cleaning agents or vinegar as both are highly acidic, and it will only take a few accidental applications to cause permanent damage. Besides special cleaners, the only other thing one will need for travertine cleaning is hot water.

Take care after mopping these floors. Once the mopping or scrubbing is complete, it is very important to dry the tile immediately. This will help prevent staining. A wet stone floor is a safety issue; so quick drying will also prevent potential accidents due to moist floors.

There really is not much more to actually cleaning travertine tile. Maintaining this material is more about upkeep then actual scrubbing and mopping. It also helps to use mats and rugs in high-traffic areas if there is travertine flooring because the sand and dirt on shoes can scratch this stone over time. Despite all the care that one must take with respect to cleaning and maintaining travertine, it is all worth it as there are very few materials that can enhance the look of a home’s interior like natural stone. The extra time and effort put in caring for this material becomes worthwhile it every time someone marvels at the beautiful stone surfaces in your home.

Colors range from natural or almost white to black with every variation of the rainbow in between. Veining can be a very slight difference in color to very well defined lines. Once mined, the stone is subjected to tumbling or grinding to achieve various travertine tile designs. Tile is sold filled, unfilled, honed, tumbled and brushed, or polished.

Filling diminishes the tile’s porous appearance. Honing or grinding produces a smooth, silky, matted surface that is not shiny. This texture is desired in areas that are exposed to water such as kitchens and bathrooms. Brushed and tumbled stone has a textured or 3D effect. Highly polished travertine is shiny or glossy. Marble is made when limestone has been subjected to intense heat and pressure, giving the stone its traditional glossy appearance. Once machined, the tile is then cut into various sizes and shapes for consumer use.

Mosaic travertine tile designs can be cut as small as 1 inch up to 4.8 inch squares. The tiles can be purchased individually or inlayed in groups onto a mesh screen. Monochrome patterns or multi-colored pictures are then produced. Brick patterned meshes have same sized tile layered in a traditional brick formation. Herringbone and hexagonal patterns are achieved in the same manner. Irregular patterned or random strip designs are made by incorporating various sizes of tile into layered formations. Split face 3D and Cubic 3D patterns are similar as various shapes of tile are layered, but all maintain unpolished raised textures.

Larger slabs of tile are cut and used on walkways, patios, or to construct buildings. Edges can be sharply square or have a grinding technique applied which produces a softened, rounded appearance giving the tile a naturally worn look.

Decorative medallions are elaborate travertine tile designs that are pieced together using different tile colors and shapes to form a specific picture or geometric pattern. They can be rounded or square. Various sizes and patterns are manufactured depending on a customer’s request.

Because of travertine tile’s naturally porous surface, tiles need to be sealed for protection. Caution must also be taken not to expose them to acid. Spilling orange juice or ketchup can not only damage the tile’s surface, but the color will cause permanent staining.