Travertine Table Care Guide
What is Travertine?
Travertine is a type of limestone formed by the evaporation of mineral-rich river, lake and spring water when it changes temperature or acidity. It is often deposited by acidic hot springs or in cooler waters of limestone caves, but can also be formed from highly alkaline groundwater. When a combination of these minerals mix with Calcite, Travertine is formed.
The process is often referred to as natures concrete. When the minerals mix together and settle down, water is then separated and evaporates which leaves you with Travertine.
Why choose Travertine?
Travertine has increased in popularity in recent years due to design trends for light, airy, ethereal living. Travertine is favoured for its warm tones and unique texture. It is often used in Earthy style interiors or spaces with lots of natural form inspiration. Travertine is known for its durability and is now used for many different things including flooring, architecture, furniture and home accessories.
Is Travertine in fashion?
Travertine is quickly becoming a favourite material amongst interior designers. Travertine is a favourable choice with its warm tones and textural appearance. The colour pallet is neutral and combines shades of beige, grey, brown and ivory to name a few. Neutral interiors never seem to go out of fashion.
Due to the way Travertine is naturally formed, it has an appearance of naturally occurring cavities and holes. These distinctive cavities can either be filled, or left in its natural form. The beauty of Travertine is that you can acheive various aesthetic effects which is why it is now a favourite amongst interior designers.
What can you use Travertine for?
Travertine can be used in many different ways. It’s most popular use is perhaps flooring tiles and countertops. This has since branched out into furniture such as coffee tables and side tables. Travertine can be finished in many unique ways. Similar to marble, Travertine can be polished, tumbled, honed, and brushed creating many different effects suiting a broad range of individual tastes.
Project VV by Pieter Vanrenterghem
How do you clean Travertine?
Travertine is relatively easy to care for. It is best to buy Travertine which is already sealed as this will prevent stains and marks from occuring. You can clean Travertine with a damp cloth and mild soapy water. There are also various stone cleaners available on the market which are tailored for marble and Travertine. You can reseal Travertine yourself to prolong the life of your stone. There are many products on the market which are easy to apply and will ensure your Travertine stays in top shape for many years to come.
Can you use Travertine Outdoors?
Travertine seems to be a favourite amongst designers to use in gardens and outdoor spaces. There are many companies who now produce Travertine floor tiles and even outdoor furniture. Travertine has the perfect texture for flooring and it boasts excellent durability as it can withstand various weather conditions when properly cared for. It is also very visually similar to Marble but with a far cheaper price tag.
If you are thinking of incorporating Travertine into your outdoor scheme it is recommended to choose a high-quality grade of travertine with a honed or tumbled finish. These options offer better resistance to fading by sunlight, scratches and will hold up better to staining. When a protective seal is applied this will help prolong the life of the Travertine and enable it to stand up to stains and help it to absorb much less moisture.
It may not be recommended for extreme climates as freezing and thawing may cause the Travertine to crack over time.
Can you polish Travertine?
The short answer is yes. Travertine is a good candidate for re-finishing. If it has faded or stained over time - especially if used outdoors - it is often a good choice to polish it back up. You can do this yourself using various products but it is always recommended to use a professional natural stone care company. When the correct process is followed you can have your Travertine looking brand new again.
Travertine is an excellent choice for interior design due to its timeless appeal, durability, and versatility. Its natural beauty adds a touch of sophistication to any space.
Travertine’s versatility allows it to complement many design styles, from classic to contemporary. Overall, travertine’s combination of aesthetic appeal, hardwearing nature, and environmental benefits makes it a superior choice for enhancing the beauty and functionality of interior spaces.
All of our blog posts are researched and handwritten in house here at Vaunt Design by industry experts.
Featured Image Credit: P&R Styling
