Porcelain Tile versus Travertine Tile – What are the Differences

Travertine Tile Advantages and Disadvantages

Travertine tile has been used for thousands of years in many parts of the world. Travertine tile comes in two basic types, honed and natural. Honed Travertine tile is polished down to a smooth finish and is ideal for bathroom and green kitchen design applications. Natural Travertine tile, or tumbled Travertine tile, is left basically in its raw form and thus has an antique texture to it surface. Natural Travertine tiles are ideal for hallways and entranceways. Travertine tile is available in all types of shapes and sizes and typically varies in color from beige, to gold, to reddish colors, depending upon the amount of iron in it.

Travertine tile is a limestone based product and thus has a more rustic and natural look, compared to porcelain tile. Travertine is also quite porous and as a result it is susceptible to staining and needs a bit more maintenance than porcelain tile. Travertine tile is also very reactive to acid products such as vinegar and orange juice. A spilled acid drink or solution, for example, can easily cause permanent stains on the Travertine tiled surface. This said, the maintenance of Travertine tile is pretty simple and requires only about an hour or two of work every year or so. By applying a sealant to the travertine tile every 6 to 12 months you can reduce the risk of staining.

Travertine tile, versus Porcelain tile, is also much easier to cut and shape, and therefore is ideal for more intricate tile projects.

Porcelain Tile Pros and Cons

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a more modern tile look, with a bit less maintenance required, then porcelain tile may be a better choice. In addition, if you are on a limited remodeling budget but still prefer a tiled floor or wall surface then porcelain tile is a better choice.

Also, since porcelain tile is a manmade product it is typically harder than Travertine tile and thus less likely to stain or become as dirtied from ground-in dirt. Porcelain tile is also available in a wide assortment of shapes, sizes and colors since it is a manmade product. So when making the porcelain tile versus Travertine tile decision consider how the tile surface will be used, as well as the appearance you are looking for. If, for example, you plan to tile a wall surface then there is less likelihood of spills and staining to worry about, so Travertine tile may be your preferred choice.

If on the other hand, you are considering a tiled kitchen floor and you have pets and small children then staining is a major threat and thus Porcelain tile may be a better choice.