Travertine tiles are cut from travertine a sedimentary rock with colors that vary from white to light beige to brown, including some pink, red or brown hues. Travertine tiles have been used for thousands of years and monuments made with travertine during the antiquity are still proof of this great material.
Travertine tiles are very effective in home decor because they are of extraordinary durability, warm to the senses and the eye. It is even said that they have air purifying qualities when used indoors. Whether you use Travertine floor tiles indoors or outdoors for you home decorating, you will find that the cost is not as hight as what you might expect for a quality material. Often sold as marble because both travertine and marble belong to the same category of rocks, it is much less expensive.
One of the distinctive trait of travertine is its texture that offers little irregular cavities visible after the rock is cut. These texture enhancing little holes can either be filled or left open, depending on how you plan to use your tiles. Among the possible finishes you will find:
Matte finish also called honed is a natural finish with slight imperfections. It keeps nature's little holes intact.
satin matte finish tile
Polished or shiny, is sometimes also referred to as honed and filled. It is a natural finish but the little cavities caused by natural process are filled to give the stone a smoother look and feel.
brushed travertine
Brushed finish is a good compromise between keeping some of the texture yet having the benefit of a flat surface
Tumbled travertine
Tumbled finish is a finishing process that is used on hard stones, where the stones are placed in a barrel with some abrasives, and rotated slowly, to gradually polish and smooth the stone. It is a more rustic appearance than polished, but a good finish for rooms that receive a lot of sunlight, as it does not reflect light as much as some of the other finishes. Tumbled travertine floor tiles have a unique appearance that bring a special touch to any home.
