Travertine tiles are becoming very common as pavers, kitchen tiles, entrance and bathroom polish. For centuries travertine has been used as a decorative and construction material. Actually, most of the structures in ancient Rome are really built of travertine stone not marble as many think. Marble was used by the super-rich and for sacred and public buildings. Evidently, it was also very common as sculpture material only for the rich yet again. Travertine has a very pleasant old world look and has many distinct colors choices. If you are preparing to buy travertine pavers then you will have to choose which of the three surfaces to opt for. Tumbled, honed or polished are the three surface options and each has its best use when selecting for various applications.
Tumbled travertine tiles have a coarse texture and are permeable. They are very helpful around a pool or as an unsealed yard walkway, because they let the water drain which provides good traction for your feet with splashing water or rain. Honed has a smooth dull appearance. They too give a comparatively good grip, but are typically used in covered areas like patios, and as entrance tiles. They are also common as wall tiles in the kitchen and bathroom. Polished is the last type of surface which is smooth and shiny and is used for counter tops and worktops. This surface works very well when a smooth, flat top is required. Often, the natural cavities and air pockets are filled with this kind of tile.
To the extent that color goes there are a wide range of alternatives available, with no two tiles having exactly the same colors and designs. Travertine is a sedimentary rock, which is formed as minerals buildup at the base of a hot spring pool, thus the quarries are located around areas of volcanic activity such as in central Italy where the name comes from. Travertine is also widely found in Turkey with a number of quarries in Mexico and Peru. The color of the single tiles depends on the mineral content at the specific time the sediment was deposited. You can get travertine tiles in almost any color from nearly white ivory to a tan and walnut to many shades of red. There is a natural earth tone travertine tile hue to match nearly any home color scheme.
You can ask for photos of the special tiles if you are purchasing online, to verify the color fits in with the rest of your decor you will be using. Travertine tiles are very helpful as pavers outdoor and as floor and wall tiles inside your home. Also, Travertine bathrooms are very common today because of the bright hues that are available.