Tavertine tiles come in different finishes. The four most popular ones are honed, tumbled, polished, and brushed. Each style is intended to accentuate some of the stone’s attributes. Let’s go through them to help you see which one fits in your space.
Honed travertine: Smooth and modern
This is one of the most common types of finishes. It is designed to balance style and functionality. The surface is polished until smooth, but not shiny. It has a matte or satin finish.
Honed travertine tiles are popular in:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Living rooms.
They look contemporary and soft. Basically, the floor will not be as slippery as polished stone. This makes it a safer option in places where spills are prone to occur. Honed is a good choice should you desire the natural warmth of travertine but without excessive shine.
Tumbled travertine: Rustic and textured
Tumbled travertine is more rustic and old-world. It is less smooth and more textured. To accomplish this finish, the tiles are literally staggered with abrasives. This softens the edges and gives the face a worn look.
This coating is particularly common in outdoor areas such as:
- Patios
- Pool decks
- Walkways in a garden.
The extra texture provides greater grip on the feet, even during wet conditions. Tumbled travertine can be very charming indoors on backsplashes. You can also use them as an accent on a wall. This will bring out a Mediterranean or farmhouse feeling.
Polished Travertine: Smooth and luxurious
Polished travertine is sophisticated. The surface is polished until it becomes shiny. This gives the stone a mirror-like finish. The process also intensifies the colors and patterns. Hence, the stone looks richer and dramatic.
Polished travertine tiles are suitable for formal settings. This is attributed to their smooth and glossy finish. They are ideal for:
- Entrances
- Dining rooms
- Luxury bathrooms.
However, this finish is a little slippery when wet. So, not the best in pool areas or kitchens unless you are prepared to go to the extra trouble of laying down mats and rugs.
Brushed travertine: Natural and soft
This finish is between honed and tumbled. It is done by rubbing wire brushes on the surface, making it a little rugged but not like tumbled. The outcome is the natural, light finish with rather subtle colors. Here are some of its best features:
- It is a good choice for both indoor and outdoor.
- You can use it to achieve a relaxed, natural look.
- It provides a grip on the feet, but it is not too rough.
- It is practical and versatile.
The final take: Which finish should you select?
The right travertine finish depends on some key factors. One is how you are going to utilize the space. The other is the appearance you want.
- Want sleek luxury? Go polished.
- Want a sleek, but functional alternative? Honed is your friend.
- Looking for rustic charm? Tumbled is the way to go.
- Need something in between? Brushed won’t disappoint.
With this knowledge of the four finishes, you can now select travertine tiles that appear beautiful and also suit your lifestyle.
