Travertine is a beautiful stone that comes from diverse array of locations such as Oklahoma as well as Texas in continental United States and outside the US in Tivoli and Guidonia Montecelio in Italy. From ancient times the stone bears the beautiful ancient Roman name lapis tiburtinus. This name refers to the stone as coming from the ancient city of Tibur.

Certainly it is hard to deny that the natural beauty of travertine makes it a great material with which to decorate, and one that will add a very sophisticated look to a space. Naturally, travertine appears as a white stone, but with time the impurities of the environment such as iron deposits, impurities, and organic material all stain travertine and cause the myriad of beautiful patterns and effects that give it its appeal. Adding travertine lets homeowners take full advantage of this natural beauty within their home.

It is an ideal material to make a floor or even a countertop look interesting and exquisite, and can also set off nicely the other decorative elements that make up the home. Travertine is also more than capable outlast other flooring if maintained correctly. Though some care has to be taken, it's nothing too complicated. Just like granite for example, Travertine can absorb liquids, so be sure to clean spills as soon as they happen. Similarly do be careful what types of cleaners you use on your tiles. Cleaners that contain citric acid should be avoided. It's also a good idea to consider a sealant to help guard against this. Because of its beauty and longevity, investing a little more now in travertine will certainly help save in the long term.

There is the age old question of putting down carpets, or going with a stone floor such as travertine tile. It can of course become a difficult problem when trying to determine which to go for. Carpeting will cost a lot less, and may be a better solution in certain situations - for example if you have young kids, cats or dogs running around it may not be possible to get to any spillages before they have soaked in.

Conversely, if it is accident free, travertine will remain as great looking as the day it was put in which is something not possible with carpet. Over time carpets fade and wear and soon need replaced. Asides from the carpet there are many extras you need to consider that drive up the price, including underlay and fitting, as well as constant cleaning, there are considerable costs that all mount up. Once the number of times a carpet needs replaced is taken into consideration then it's much easier to look at travertine as being more of the bargain. Even with travertine, it is still possible to achieve that softer more homely feel for your rooms through the addition of rugs. Such rugs are easy to replace, and offer the best of both worlds. They add that colour and bring in the warmth without the downsides of being permanently fixed, so replacing one becomes as easy as rolling it up, putting it in storage, and adding a new one that is a better fit for your tastes. Meanwhile the travertine beneath will last a great number of years.

Travertine is a material that can definitely greatly enhance your home, and best of all can look amazing for many years to come. It adds a refined sense of sophistication, while at the same time being able to fit in naturally in so many settings. Choosing whether or not to go with travertine is one of the easier choices to make.