The natural stone of Travertine is used since times immemorial from Italy and has turned to be a favourite stone for so many people. Further, these stone tiles look so elegant retaining their natural look and concrete structure. The signs of wear and scratches can occur over time on these tiles. In that case, with travertine polishing, these tiles can look newer and shinier than before.

You can also opt for an already polished travertine stone that is made by mixing limestone and mineral stones. It comes in so many different colours like off white shades, reddish-brown, etc. While looking at it, you can see that the patterns are inconsistent with the presence of various materials, impurities, and iron.

What are the different finishes of Travertine?

The finish selection depends on the appealing wants and needs of the clients. Besides, honed is considered to be the best travertine polishing finish you find. It’s the perfect choice for bathrooms due to less slippery properties.

• Brushed finish

The brushed finish gives benefits to both honed and tumbled finishes. Similarly, the tiles are textured with the colour silently mute for the perfect look. The look is quite elegant without making it too flashy.

• Tumbled finish

Tumbled is the finish that reflects the light and the ability to have rounded corners for providing a unique appeal. It is preferable for those who want to have a subtle look without many designs in it. 

• Polished stone

The travertine polishing is the shiniest in the lot, giving such a glamorous look. It resembles a marble. Also, even though the look is elegant, the finish is somewhat slippery, not perfect for the bathrooms. The polished travertine is not for the houses having small kids. 

Advantages of using Travertine tiles:

The travertine tiles are so easy and convenient to cut and shape. The tiles don’t get hot even in direct contact with sunlight. In the summers, you can make your pets walk on travertine tiles, and they won’t feel the heat at all.

The travertine polished tiles are environment friendly with no harmful chemicals used in the making of the same. The tiles look so luxurious and classy that you cannot go on missing out on these tiles.

How to care for the tiles?

The travertine tiles must come with a finish for its protection. Further, the stone absorbs some colours causing the stain, one thing you won’t want. The finish or travertine polishing can protect the tiles and must be done in 2 years. You can preserve it for so many years then. Travertine is long-lasting, and if cared for, the aesthetic property is not lost.

Use a dry mop and detergent to clean the travertine tiles. If you plan on using a vacuum, use the smooth wheels made of rubber or rough plastic. There is a cleaner made specifically for travertine tiles that you can use.

Travertine polishing is a blend of durability and beauty. Whether it’s commercial or residential purposes, the service is a valuable investment to the properties.

Travertine is a sedimentary limestone which is formed by the chemical precipitation of the calcium salts in the watersheds. It mainly constitutes of calcite which is around 99% of its concentration.

Calcite is the crystalline, white porous structure formed out of calcium carbonate. Travertine is characterized by its spongy, vacuolar structure which is due to the inclusion of organic matter i.e mostly vegetables and gas emissions i.e carbon dioxide during the formation process.  

Calcite which is the main mineral component in travertine is completely white. However, certain impurities such as the inclusion of sulfur, ferry compounds, or some organic pigments can change its color. That’s why it can be found in varieties of colors such as walnut, yellow, red, and many more.

The deposits of this limestone can be found all over the world in various corners such as Iran, the U.S, Mexico, Italy, and many other nations. Italian travertine is the most famous because of its great historic importance and it’s closeness to Rome. 

In Italy, travertine has been used in the building of many monuments, including the Coliseum, the Trevi fountains, and the Saint Peter’s Colonnade.

Travertine protection:

Travertine usually requires the following types of finishing: polished, honed, and split-faced finishing. Travertine polishing is one of the most widely used types of finishing in travertine limestones. 

The physical characteristics of travertine make it very suitable for using it in construction in adverse climatic conditions. Therefore, this gives the limestone a wide range of applications, ranging from external wall facings to interior flooring or from urban furnishing to constructing funerary monuments.

The main problem which is associated with the protection and care of travertine is the cavities in its structure. Travertine is a limestone that has a vacuolar structure. This means that it has naturally formed cavities throughout its structure. These cavities can accumulate dust and dirt, no matter what the limestone is being used for.

It is therefore advised to plaster or fill the travertine to prevent any problems with cleaning and to maintain its polishing as well as finishing. That is why this has been a common practice for decades.

Insights on travertine polishing:

Just like with marbles and other polished limestones, travertine is used for special purposes such as bathroom and kitchen flooring. When used in these cases, the protection of the limestone is mostly taken care of by special water and oil repelling products. These products protect the surface without changing its look. 

The issue with travertine arises when surface residue builds up after the application of the mentioned products. This is further improved by drying the flooring, which usually takes about 4-24 hours after the treatment has been done on the travertine floor. The hours required for the product to dry up will depend on the type of solvent that has been used in the protective product.

Another widely used polishing fro travertine is waxing. In the case of home floors, traditional polishing wax is used. This traditional wax is applied with a cloth or a polisher after the application to give it a shine. Waxing on travertine can be carried out anytime to protect its surface materials.

These were the basic ways that travertine polishing is done. Other materials can also be used for polishing such as crystallization, de-waxing, stain removal, and aggressive chemical reactions solvents.