New homeowners or re decorators looking to enhance or change up the look of a room or rooms in their living space should consider the advantages of travertine tiles. Available in wholesale from manufacturer’s websites or from home improvement stores — such as Lowe’s or Home Depot — these floor blocks give an earthy, rich image to any kitchen or bathroom, as well as increasing the resale value for outgoing tenants. A stone in a class of quality by itself, travertine tile may run on the expensive side of the price spectrum but provides a beautiful and intricate array to the house and requires no extra installation effort compared to regular tile.
Travertine stone is one of the oldest building blocks known to man — the ancient Coliseum in Rome was constructed from the material nearly two thousand years ago! The durability is ideal for larger families or families with pets, as even the heaviest foot traffic will not chip or buff away the lovely stone. The stone is comparable to a marble floor and is quarried from deposits of limestone, formed by underground springs or rivers, and then polished to a cream colored, flowing sheen. Though the material is usually imported — hence the popularity in Italy, Turkey, and Greece — there are a few sources in the United States.
Travertine floor tiles are a popular choice in many noveau art buildings, such as UCLA’s medical facility and Los Angeles’ Getty Center. Understandably, large corporations may be the only ones with the financial power to use the stone as tile in an entire building, but a simple kitchen or bath job is not out of the question for moderate budget needs. Travertine floor tile is the combination of the stone pieces with glaze so that less is needed for the same area — cutting down on the price considerably. These floor tiles cost only two dollars per square foot, whereas the travertine mosaic tile, with intricate designs or patterns cut into the stone, may cost twice as much.
The color scheme of the stone can match any area, and the soft cream or pink coloring is often chosen to accentuate housing tones rather than be the dominant color image. For this reason, travertine wall tiles can be placed into bathrooms or kitchens at a fraction of the cost of a full floor job. These wall coverings add an element of old world texture and comforting tones for less than the cost of full installation. If you believe that travertine stone could be a welcome addition to your house, consider your budget and check home retail stores for the best prices on the material.