Deciding On Travertine Wall Tiles

Travertine is one of the most sought after materials of tiling in homes of UK and other European countries. This stone is a re-deposited form of limestone, found in the thermal water springs. The calcium of limestone dissolves in the hot water and hardens around the springs. When these deposits occur in a large scale, they build up into layers of quarry stone, which is now available for tiling purposes in our homes. Places like Turkey, Italy and Spain produce large amounts of travertine and recently, travertine from Peru is also becoming quite popular. These quarried stones are processed in factories to form travertine wall tiles and floor tiles for easy use in homes. Before you decide on buying travertine wall tiles, it is good to understand the various aspects of the tile. Know about the different types and sizes of the tile for use in our home floors and walls. Know about the available colours and venation patterns. Know about the perfect grout colour and the necessity for sealing the surfaces. After you understand all these factors, deciding on the right type of travertine to suit your home interiors becomes easy. Types and sizes of travertine tiles This natural stone is usually cut into many shapes and sizes that enable us to use it all sizes of rooms. These tiles are priced according to the cut and size of the tile. Some of the popular types are Classic, Premium Classic, and Ivory. All these are honed and filled types of travertine available in the sizes of 305 x 305 x 10. The Light Tumbled and rustic finish stones are also available in the same size but are not filled. The light tumbled variety has a unique tumbled finish, and the rustic variety has a chipped and brushed edge. Noce Tumbled is another textured finish of tumbled travertine. Ivory vein type of stone has a honed finish with bevelled or polished edges. Grout colour and sealant While deciding on travertine wall tiles, you can choose the suitable grout colour too. You apply grout after the installation of wall tiles. Grout and sealant should match the colour of the stone as perfectly as possible. Grout and sealant application can change the colour of the stone a little, but are essential for durability of the stone. A matching grout looks great on the stone, and cannot be changed once you apply the sealer. So choose the colour of the grout carefully before sealant application. Some homeowners prefer a contrasting colour for grout for an aesthetic appeal. The colour choice is yours, so decide on the right colour after seeing a few samples. A sealant forms a protective layer and will not let acidic spills affect them directly. The installation process needs the touch of experts, as unprotected crevices in the walls can attract humidity and create ugly messes at a later stage.