Sealing Travertine
Travertine is commonly used to build walls, floors, countertops, showers and other interesting structures. It can be seen in such notable architecture as the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California, Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris, and even the renown Roman Colosseum.
Travertine offers a wide range of looks that have made it a every increasing popular floor choice. Travertine can be purchased “unfilled” (with the holes that make it porous still visible) or “filled” with resins, concrete or epoxy. It can be polished to a high shine or left unfinished for a more textured appearance.
Properly sealing travertine floors and using the proper cleaning products will help minimize floor damage. Typically a sealer will NOT prevent acidic substances from etching the surface.
- Honed Travertine is smooth with a matte finish.
- Distressed edge Travertine tiles have slightly uneven edges which give it a worn look.
- Tumbled Travertine has a rough textured finish with rounded corners.
- Cross cut is often used to give Travertine the look of marble
Each of these varying type travertine tiles, their respective finishes and applications may very well require a different sealer and/or application method. One size does not fit all in these situations. Merely because it states on the manufacturers label that it is a “sealer” does not mean it should be applied to the surface being considered. We encounter many clients that have regretted their decision, that of their installer or a so-called professional restoration company and the 20 year-old Technician performing the job.
IMPORTANT: A true impregnating sealer should not alter the appearance of the travertine tile floor or other surface that it is being applied to.
A prime example of a shameful “professional” sealing travertine job can be seen in the pictures below. Click on images to enlarge.
Call Travertine Polishing of Plano TODAY @ 214–763-8832 and speak to the Stone Doctor for all your stone care needs!
