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What is Travertine Tile

What is Travertine Tile

6 minute read

Travertine tile is much-loved for its earthy, natural color palettes, textured surface, and long-lasting durability. But if you ask different people "what is travertine tile?" you may get different replies. Some people use the word interchangeably with limestone. Others say travertine meaning strictly oversized, large format tiles commonly used in indoor/outdoor living spaces. Some home decorators simply think travertine is a look and that it can be made from ceramic or stone. This guide will explain exactly what travertine is, how it's formed, where it's best used, and how to decide if it's the right tile material for your home.

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What Is Travertine and How Is It Formed?

While travertine tile has a particular look, it is actually a natural stone material. It has a natural, porous texture with a pitted surface, small openings, and veins, and it comes in mostly neutral tones of ivory, cream, beige, and brown.

Travertine forms through a lengthy geological process that begins with geothermal activity heating up groundwater that then runs through rock. Over time, as evaporation and precipitation alter the chemical properties of the water, minerals dissolve, settle, and build up in layers, creating what ultimately becomes travertine stone.

What Is Travertine Made Of?

Travertine is a type of freshwater limestone made mostly with calcite, a form of calcium carbonate. It is extremely durable on its own and it can also be combined with other tile materials to create interesting, highly textured mosaic patterns with different surface textures and finishes.

Mixed material mosaics with travertine, like our Beige 12x12 Polished Glass, Resin, Stone Mosaic Tile, are widely praised for their interesting combination of textures, finishes, colors, and patterns.

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Common Types and Finishes of Travertine Tile

Travertine is available in several finishes, the most popular being polished, honed and filled, brushed, and tumbled.

Polished: Smooth, glossy finish that lends a layer of luxury to travertine's naturally earthy look.
Honed and Filled: Surface holes are sealed with resin or grout filled, filling in the holes to create a less porous surface and a finish that falls between matte and glossy.
Brushed: Unfilled to maintain its natural porosity, with a textured wire brush finish that highlights the natural stone's rustic look.
Tumbled: The stones are tumbled together to create a richly textured surface with more of an aged look.

Different finishes connote different design styles. If you love the look of travertine for its natural, rustic charm, honed, brushed, and tumbled finishes are generally the best options.

Pros and Cons of Travertine Tile

Like all tile materials, there are pros and cons to travertine. Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you decide whether to feature the material in your home or if you should consider a different type of tile.

Pros:
  • Versatility: Travertine is available in a variety of sizes and finishes, allowing for installations on walls, floors, fireplace surrounds, patios, pool areas, and more.
  • Naturally non-slip texture: Honed, brushed, and tumbled travertine are naturally slip-resistant. Their highly textured surface makes them suitable in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, including high-traffic areas.
  • Durability: Travertine is a highly durable stone that can last a lifetime with proper sealing, routine cleaning, and proper maintenance.
  • Natural aesthetic: Travertine has a natural, earthy, rustic look and can make any space have a cozy, welcoming feel. Natural shading among the tiles allows for unique installations, as no stone is ever the same.
Cons:
  • Requires occasional sealing: Because of its porous nature, travertine must be sealed approximately every two to three years.
  • Stays cool underfoot: In some climates, heat-resistant travertine is helpful in keeping a room cool. In colder climates, this can be a drawback.
  • Susceptible to staining: Travertine can stain if not maintained with a regular cleaning routine. Dropped beverages should be immediately cleaned up to prevent the liquid from finding its way into the porous surface and leaving a permanent stain.
  • Requires professional installation: Travertine is prone to chipping and can be difficult for DIYers to cut and install. Unless you're experienced at cutting and installing tile, it's best to hire a professional to install travertine for you.
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Is Travertine Tile the Right Choice for Your Home?

Travertine is the perfect choice for many homeowners and interior designers, but there are some instances where it might make more sense to select a different tile material.

If you’re determined to do a DIY installation, travertine might not be the best choice. Cutting travertine requires specialized tile cutting tools and, because it's natural stone, it's heavier than materials like porcelain and ceramic. This means you'll also need proper subfloor, drywall, or backerboard preparation, all of which are best left to experienced professionals.
If you can’t maintain a routine cleaning regimen, Travertine might not be your best option. Because natural stone is porous, a consistent maintenance routine is necessary, and accidental spills must be wiped up immediately to prevent staining.
Natural stone is generally cool underfoot. If you live in a cold climate or prefer the feeling of warmer tile beneath your feet, travertine may not be your best choice.
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Design Ideas with Travertine Tile

Travertine can be used in various interior and exterior spaces, including kitchen floors and backsplashes, bathroom walls and floors, and outdoor pool areas and patios. If you're looking for ways to incorporate travertine into your home, consider these design ideas:

Neutral, Luxe Bathroom

Bathroom floors and walls are among the most popular installation areas for travertine. With travertine mosaic tile, you can create exquisite, luxurious bathroom walls, floors, and shower walls that welcome you in and make you feel instantly at ease when you're alone in your personal space.

Dazzling Wall Feature

Install a multicolored mosaic pattern of glass, resin, and travertine chips to create a dazzling fireplace surround or kitchen backsplash. Our Gray and Beige 11x11 Polished, Matte, Textured Glass, Resin, Stone Mosaic Tile features rich contrast in a combination of finishes that provide visual and tactile interest.

Outdoor Patio Retreat

What is travertine flooring perfect for? Outdoor patios that need a natural look with a timeless design style. Our Brown 12 x 12 Polished Emperador Dark, Beige Travertine Marble Mosaic Tile is rich with subtle variations in color, making it a stunning choice for the designer or decorator looking to create a neutral, natural outdoor space with endless possibility.

High-Traffic Entryways

Because of its natural durability, travertine is ideal for use in an entryway, foyer, or indoor/outdoor living space that gets a lot of foot traffic. In an open concept home, run it from the living room to the kitchen to the back patio. In a home with a traditional layout, a rustic travertine entryway floor can set the tone for the entire home.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is travertine a natural stone?

Yes, travertine is a durable, natural stone that takes thousands of years to form. Because it is a natural stone, it is suitable for installation in both indoor and outdoor areas.

2. Is travertine tile suitable for bathrooms?

Yes, travertine is suitable for installation on bathroom walls, bathroom floors, shower walls, and sometimes shower floors. Travertine is porous, so it requires proper sealing, especially in wet areas.

3. Can travertine tile be used outdoors?

Yes, natural travertine can be used for outdoor installations on pool decks, patios, outdoor kitchen areas, and fire pit areas. When installing travertine around pools or open areas that could become wet, it’s best to choose tumbled travertine tiles, as they provide a better grip underfoot.

4. Does travertine tile need to be sealed?

Yes, travertine needs to be sealed. Whether it’s installed indoors or outdoors, you should seal travertine with a penetrating sealer designed for use on natural stone.

5. How long does travertine tile last?

With proper installation, routine maintenance, and sealing approximately every 2 to 3 years, travertine can last a lifetime.

6. Is travertine tile difficult to maintain?

Travertine is not difficult to maintain, but it requires regular sweeping, routine mopping, and occasional sealing. Because it is porous, it’s important to wipe up spills immediately so it doesn’t stain.

7. What's the difference between travertine and marble?

Travertine and marble are two very different natural stones. Travertine is porous with a textured surface, has a rustic, natural look, and is naturally heat-resistant with a slightly textured grip. Marble has a smooth surface, features deep and dramatic veining, holds heat, and can become slippery when it gets wet.
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Nura
About the Author

Nura

Nura has always been drawn to design and the way our eyes and senses experience a space. She’s fascinated by the stories that interiors and architecture quietly tell. Traveling across countries and seeing architecture in its natural setting helped her notice how materials, patterns, and textures quietly shape emotion and personality in a space.

Before joining Tiletopia, Nura spent over a decade in brand management, market research, and consumer behavior across different industries, working in brand storytelling and crafting content that brings ideas to life. At the intersection of storytelling and design, Nura has found her creative home at Tiletopia, where she brings both passions to life.

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