Travertine countertops have been used for a long time for building material. It is a natural stone which looks amazing. If you are searching a good material for countertop replacement, here are some pros and cons of travertine countertops.

What Is Travertine?

As mentioned before, travertine is a very strong building material. It is made by deposition of materials, which makes the top surface of the travertine smooth and lustrous, giving off different hues of colors, almost like that of a rainbow. It is truly an amazing material and it can be used for countertops as well.

Now that you know what is travertine and how it is made, let’s talk about some of the pros and cons about travertine and whether it is suited for being a good countertop material.

Pros of Travertine Countertops

Some of the pros and good things about travertine countertops are as follows:

The Countertop Material Is Available in A Lot of Colors

Travertine countertops are available in a lot of colors. For someone who loves color matching and coordinating interiors with their kitchen countertops, then this will be good news for you. travertine is a very beautiful material which can look aesthetically pleasing in any room. It has a certain appeal and charm to it, which makes it one of the most sought-after natural countertop materials.

Travertine Can Be Easily Cut

Travertine countertops are made very easily. They are less labor-extensive, and it is one of the many natural stones which can but cut and shaped into slabs very easily. Unlike soapstone and granite countertops which are very hard and heavy, travertine is probably the only natural stone, which is lighter and more manageable to be made into countertops. Not only countertops, travertine material can be used in showers, bathrooms and sinks. They make for amazing sinks and bathroom fixtures. All in all, travertine is amazing for not only countertops, but also for other purposes.

It Is Affordable

Travertine is also one of the natural stones which is less expensive than most common stones. Granite, ceramic and quartz stones are very expensive and are treated as a luxury material or an investment, when thinking about installing them. Travertine, on the other hand, is a less expensive alternative to natural stones. It is more affordable than other stones and it makes great countertops too. So, it seems like a win-win situation, no matter how you look at it.

Cons of Travertine Countertops

Some bad things about travertine countertops are as follows:

It Can Shatter Easily

Travertine, while it makes for an amazing material for countertops, it can be very fragile as well. Travertine countertops are not recommended for people who have a lot of children or have a lot of human traffic in the house. On impact, it can shatter or crack very easily. It is not a good and durable stone for children, because it tends to break a lot.

The Material Is Porous

Natural stones are porous in nature. They are not treated beforehand to get sealed; travertine is no different either. travertine is a very porous material, which makes it fragile and prone to breaking and developing molds. Anything which is porous can lead to things settling in the crevices and it can infect or weaken the stone over time. This is why regular sealing of the countertops is required. The pores need to be sealed if you are going to use travertine in your kitchen so that it can resist spills and unwanted liquid settlement.

Travertine Requires Sealing

Because travertine is porous and it can soak up liquids and debris quickly, it is necessary to have someone come in and seal the countertop surface for you. Sealants can be applied on the surface to make sure that the pores are sealed, and nothing can settle in the crevices of the surface. Sealants are basically polymer based varnishes, applied on the surface of travertine, which makes it resistant to breaking and water damage.

There you have it! Now you know everything there is to know about travertine countertops. Now you know where travertine works and where this material is a flop. Ask the granite company NC about the cost of travertine countertops and if they are a good alternative for granite and marble.