Travertine product care

Travertine is naturally formed in a district near Rome, Italy and known in Tivoli as ‘Travertino’. This rock is a form of limestone, deposited by mineral springs, particularly in geothermally heated hot springs. The water movement from the springs erode the travertine creating holes, this gives the stone its honeycomb like texture.

Travertine is usually graded, the most natural having its original holes and the most premium stones having been filled in and honed to create solid slabs.

Due to travertine’s honeycomb structure, each tile will require back buttering with adhesive to fill the voids before being pressed into the bed of adhesive.

Because of this, a white adhesive is recommended and it should be a cement based powder (C) formula.

As you’re using a natural product, they are often heavier than their porcelain or ceramic counterparts so it’s advised to check the maximum tiling weight of the substrate if tiling on to the wall.

If you’re choosing to use a darker grout colour then it is advised to first use BAL Protective Sealer to avoid discolouring your travertine tiles. If your tiles are highly textured then sealing them prior to fitting will aid the removal of grout residues during the cleaning process.

Due to travertine being a sedimentary rock, it has a high level of porosity meaning it needs to be thoroughly protected.

First you will need to thoroughly clean your tiles using Fila Stone Cement Residue Remover. Then you can apply a couple of coats of a dedicated stone sealer.

Alternatively, you can use a colour intensifier to emphasise the stone's natural appearance.

For ongoing maintenance we'd advise the sealant being reapplied to clean tiles at least every 12 months and for every day cleaning a pH neutral formula will help protect the sealer for longer.

Whether you prefer a rustic travertine or a premium filled version of the natural product, you can shop our full range of travertine tiles online.