When making over your kitchen or bath, your first thought may gravitate toward which kind of natural stone you will use for your countertops. Have you considered the many benefits of travertine? This beautiful and conversation-starting natural stone is getting more and more popular with homeowners who are remodeling these critical rooms of the home.
Here’s a look at the advantages of travertine and why it’s such as good material for your Massachusetts home.
A Rich History
It’s interesting to note that travertine starts out its life as limestone and then undergoes a fairly quick sedimentary process fueled by the presence of water. Another interesting fact: the travertine quarries of Tivoli in Rome were formed over millions of years, tapped by ancient builders in the construction of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica.
In fact, marble and travertine are both considered to be limestone because of their high concentration of calcite minerals; that being said, their geological formation processes vary. Limestone forms via a biological process but won’t morph into marble unless volcanic or magmatic events take place.
Indeed, travertine has been used for many thousands of years to construction a variety of impressive structures all over the globe, formed by high heat and pressure. In many ways, it resembles the look of marble. Some even call it onyx marble. It can be imported from many areas, particularly in the Middle East, Turkey, and Mexico.
Travertine Colors
If you’re looking for earth tones for your kitchen or bath counters, travertine will not disappoint. It comes in a range of colors and patterns, ranging from creamy white and tan to earthy brown and copper. You can even find it in walnut, gold, beige, ivory, and coral. This variety of color choices makes it an ideal material for both kitchen and bathroom counters, as it can be matched to virtually any décor.
Porosity
You will need to regularly seal your travertine countertops, which will ensure your surfaces remain vibrant for many years. That’s because travertine is more porous than other stones, leaving it vulnerable to staining from acidic substances such as juice, wine, coffee, or soda. However, because they absorb water and moisture well, this makes them a good choice for flooring or counter installation in a bathroom.
Unique Veining and Light Reflection
Travertine countertops offer an elegant and delicate aesthetic in any room of the home, thanks to its unique veining and slight imperfections that truly give it a natural feel. Plus, travertine reflects light very well, which will help to brighten up your kitchen or bath and magnify the natural light in the room.
Hardness of Travertine Stone
Travertine has a high hardness rating, making it able to stand up to heat better than other stones. Because it can handle extreme temperature changes, you can set a hot pan down on the counter and it won’t damage the surface. Of course, we always recommend using a trivet or potholder just to be safe. Overall, travertine countertops are highly durable and will last longer than other materials.
Easy to Cut and Shape
On the installation side, travertine is easy to cut and shape, which facilitates the installation of small or odd-shaped parts of your counters.
Versatility
Travertine isn’t just good for countertops. It’s also ideal for use in backsplashes, sinks, showers, and even fireplace panels.
Affordability
If you’re worried about cost, you will be glad to know that travertine is a more affordable choice over, say, granite and marble, but you will get that aesthetically pleasing appearance that you’re going for.
Eco-Friendly
Because it’s a natural environmentally-friendly product, travertine is a good choice if you are being green-conscious.
As you can see, there are many benefits to adding travertine as an accent to your home!
Contact Granite Guy
Eager to learn more about installing travertine countertops or other accents for your kitchen or bath? Just contact us at 508-460-7900 or fill out our online form today.
Visit our natural stone and engineered stone showroom in Southborough MA. Fabricators and installers of some of the finest travertine stone in Massachusetts