There are so many kitchen countertop materials to choose from such as quartz, marble, and granite kitchen countertops. One of the unique types of kitchen countertops is travertine. Here is everything you need to know about travertine countertops and whether they are perfect for your kitchen or not.
They Are Durable
Travertine is one of those natural stones which is considered to be extremely strong and durable. It endures damage and forces and doesn’t break on sudden impacts. It is a great material, because a lot of other natural stones, on top of being super pricey, are very fragile. Marble and granite are at the top of the list.
You don’t need to worry about these things with travertine countertops, however, because they promise strength and will last for years to come.
They Need To Be Sealed
Having a natural stone countertop comes with its own set of pros and cons. One of the biggest issues with natural stones is that it is porous in nature and it needs to be sealed if you want to make them waterproof and not get them stained by food.
Stains can be very hard to remove from natural stones and this is why you need to take extra measures to ensure that the countertop remains in pristine condition. This can be an extra maintenance step and it does cost a lot as well, which could be a deal breaker for a lot of people.
They Are Inexpensive
Who doesn’t love a reasonable countertop material, which doesn’t cost a fortune? Travertine countertops are made of natural stones, but it is one of the most reasonably priced materials as well. It doesn’t cost a mini fortune like granite and marble and the quality is amazing too.
Some people want to look for cheaper options, which means a definite compromise in the quality and appearance, but with travertine countertops, you get the amazing quality of natural stone countertops as well as incomparable strength, which is enough to convince you that this material is worth the buck.
They Are Hard To Install
Natural stones have a tendency to be extremely heavy. They usually come in the form of slabs and they need to be installed either in slab form or tile form. Travertine is no different. If you choose to have slabs in your kitchen, then this might be a heavy-duty task, literally.
Travertine slabs are quite heavy and they can be troublesome to install, and you might need to hire someone if you want to get this done without any unwanted accidents. This can add up if you look at the cost. Whereas, tile countertops are not everyone’s favorite, because they have a thinner appearance.
A Lot Of Options
One of the great things about travertine countertops is that it has tons of variety when it comes to color, patterns, and designs. There is something for everyone and you will be surprised at the abundance of colors this stone is available in.
Usually, with natural stones, there is a limited number of colors and that can be discouraging, especially considering the insane amount of money you spend on these countertop materials. Well, travertine comes with a lot of options and there are no limitations of colors or patterns, so you can choose something which goes with the rest of your kitchen.
They Are Non-Insulating
This is not just a problem with travertine, but with all-natural stones. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it, but this stone feels cold to the touch. There are no heat-insulating properties in travertine, or any other natural stone, for that matter.
If you live somewhere extremely cold, then your countertops will always be cold to the touch and it might be an unpleasant feeling. A lot of people prefer their countertops to be heat-insulating so that the kitchen can be warm throughout.
Conclusion
There you have it! Travertine is a natural stone and it is used to give the kitchen a softer look, which looks strikingly similar to marble. Now you know all of the good and bad things about this material, so you can choose accordingly. If in doubt, get help from a granite countertop installer Raleigh NC to get suggestions.