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Tile flooring is a great choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and beyond and offers a lower maintenance alternative to wood flooring. But when it comes to choosing the type of tiles that you should lay on your floors, you’ll need to do a little research to make sure you get the right material for your and your family’s needs.
Today, we’re going to be taking a look at the differences between travertine tiles and ceramic tiles. We’ll explore the benefits and disadvantages of each while helping guide you towards the best choice for your home.
Let’s start by comparing the key elements of both travertine tiles and ceramic tiles.
Travertine is a natural stone, and the tiles are made by cutting sections out of large pieces of travertine pulled from quarries. Once cut into tile shapes, the rough edges are smoothed down, and they are then ready for use.
Ceramic tiles are made by pushing red, brown, or white natural clay into a mould. This is then fired at very high temperatures and then glazed to produce a colour or pattern.
Since travertine occurs naturally, travertine tiles are extremely durable and water resistant, so they are suitable for laying in outdoor spaces.
Ceramic tiles are also very durable but less than travertine, and they may crack or chip over time.
When properly maintained, travertine tiles have a lifespan of over 100 years, making them an excellent choice if you want your flooring to last a lifetime.
Ceramic tiles have an average life span of around 75 years when properly cared for.
Travertine tiles are more expensive than ceramic tiles and often need a professional installer to lay them, which adds to the overall costs.
Ceramic tiles are among the least expensive flooring types available, making them a good choice for those trying to stick to a lower budget. In fact, they tend to be around half the price of natural stone tiles.
Compared to ceramic, travertine tiles are very hard to cut, and you’ll need a wet saw with a diamond-encrusted blade to cut through the natural stone.
Ceramic tiles are easy to cut with a basic tile cutter, which makes them a good option for fitting into awkward spaces.
Travertine tiles have a low water absorption rate and won’t swell or crack very easily, which makes them suitable for outdoor use.
Ceramic tiles have a higher water absorption rate than travertine tiles, and while they can handle splashing and short exposure to water, they aren’t suitable for outdoor use.
Although easy to clean, travertine tiles need a little more ongoing maintenance than ceramic tiles, including regular sealing and specialist alkaline cleaners.
Ceramic tiles are very low maintenance, do not need to be sealed regularly, and can be easily cleaned with warm water and a bleach-free detergent.
Travertine tiles are best used for floors in high traffic areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms, as their water resistance and durability will prevent them from cracking easily. They are also an excellent choice for linking indoor and outdoor spaces.
Ceramic tiles are good for those looking for a low maintenance flooring solution that doesn’t cost too much. They’re also good for people looking for a wider range of colours and patterns.
One huge benefit of laying travertine tiles in your home is that they are extremely durable, making them an excellent choice for family homes and areas that see heavy foot traffic. This durability also gives them a very long lifespan, and they can last over 100 years when properly cared for, so they’re a good investment if you’re looking to create floors that will span generations.
As travertine tiles are water resistant, they are also a very good choice for areas in the home that are likely to see regular splashes of water or steam, such as the bathroom.
The natural stone look offered by travertine tiles is another benefit they bring to the table, and this is especially good for anyone who is looking to create a warm, natural, welcoming look in their home.
The first disadvantage of travertine tiles is that they are difficult to lay and cut, and you’ll likely need to pay for professional installation to have them laid in your home correctly.
This can be a double disadvantage, as well, as the price of travertine tiles is higher than that of ceramic tiles. So, if you’re looking to stick to a lower budget, it would be better to choose ceramic tiles over travertine.
Travertine tiles also require more ongoing maintenance than ceramic tiles, and while they are easy to clean, they do require regular sealing and specialist cleaning solutions designed for natural stone to keep them in good condition.
Travertine tiles are best for spaces that will see a lot of foot traffic throughout the day, as well as areas where the floor is likely to get wet regularly. They’re also a good choice if you’re looking for longevity and have the time to put into ongoing maintenance or if you want to create a warm, natural stone look through your home into an outdoor space.
The biggest benefit that ceramic tiles bring to the table is their variety. As they are available in a huge range of colours and patterns, they can be used to create calming spaces, bold statements, and focal points alike. This also means you’re able to inject some personality into your space, whereas with travertine tiles, you’re limited to a natural stone look.
Ceramic tiles are also inexpensive compared to travertine tiles, so they’re a better option if you’re trying to limit your spending as much as possible. This doesn’t mean that they perform poorly though, and when cared for properly, you can expect ceramic tiles to last up to 75 years.
As well as being more budget-friendly than travertine tiles, ceramic tiles are easier to lay and cut. This means that if you’re feeling confident enough, you are able to shape and lay them yourself, saving even more money in the process.
Another benefit of ceramic tiles is that they are easy to clean and maintain. You won’t need to worry about sealing them regularly or using specialist cleaning solutions, and an occasional wash with a soft bristled brush, mild soap and warm water solution is all you need to keep them looking great.
One of the biggest disadvantages of ceramic tiles is that they aren’t suitable for outdoor use. So, if you’re looking to create a tile surface in an outdoor kitchen or link your kitchen floors to your patio, you won’t be able to use ceramic tiles.
While ceramic tiles have a good level of durability, they are less durable than travertine tiles overall. This makes them a poorer choice for high traffic areas, especially in family homes with children running back and forth regularly.
Ceramic tiles can also stain easily due to their higher water absorption rate, and while they are easy to clean, this is something that’s worth considering if you’re thinking of using them as bathroom or kitchen flooring.
Ceramic tiles are best for people who want a wider variety of colour and pattern choices, and compared to travertine tiles, your options are practically endless. They’re also a great budget-friendly choice for tile flooring, and thanks to their easy maintenance, they make a good choice for people who don’t have the time for regular cleaning. They are also ideal for self installation projects.
As with any design project, the materials you choose will ultimately depend on what you’re aiming to achieve with the space. Travertine tiles will be a good choice if you need a super durable tile that can withstand the test of time or if you’re aiming for a look that only natural materials can achieve. Ceramic tiles would be a better choice if you want to fill a space with colour, want something low maintenance, and don’t have a very large budget to work with.
