Pros & Cons of Travertine vs. Ceramic Flooring

Cost Considerations

• Ceramic tile is widely available in all sizes and price points, and can be installed by a handy homeowner. Travertine tile is typically more expensive for standard tiles and much more expensive for tiles larger than 12 inches square. Travertine installation requires special installation materials and techniques that are best left to the professionals. The lighter creams and more vivid gold shades of travertine in larger sizes have limited availability at discount chains and are usually purchased from specialty flooring stores. To get a true cost comparison for professional installation, get quotes on your job for each type of tile before making the final selection.

Finishes and Function

• Both ceramic tiles and travertine are available in shiny or matte finishes. Travertine can be honed, honed and filled, or honed and polished with a shiny finish. Ceramic tiles such as quarry tiles are unglazed, but tiles with matte, shiny, semi-gloss or glossy finishes are also available. Both types of tiles are long wearing and will stand up to traffic. However, honed and filled unpolished travertine may eventually pockmark from wear, which can trap dirt. This look is fine with antiques in a foyer. In an area like a laundry room, mudroom or back entry, ceramic tile may be the better choice.

Maintenance

• Ceramic tile is easy to clean and long-wearing. Special attention may be occasionally be required to clean the grout, but that is necessary with all tile. Travertine tile must be sealed and resealed annually or at least every two years in lower-traffic areas. Travertine used in a kitchen must be sealed annually to maintain the smooth surface and to prevent picking up color from spilled coffee or acidic foods like fruit or tomato sauce. If ultra-low maintenance is desired, ceramic tile is unbeatable.

Color Characteristics

• The color characteristics of natural travertine are limited to cream, beige, brown, gold and some peachy shades in accent tiles. However each piece of this natural stone in the limestone family is unique with wonderful warmth and depth. Ceramic tile made from hard fired clay comes in every conceivable color and shade. Some ceramic tiles may emulate natural stone but with limited color and texture variations. Although the tiles can be turned in several directions to vary the look, ultimately the finished application is more uniform than the flowing look of natural travertine. The pre-stamped look is less obvious in the lighter colors so a ceramic tile with the look of stone may be a good design and value choice for a very light floor.