Today there are many choices that homeowners have to contend with for their flooring and finish needs. Unfortunately, the wide range of products creates more confusion. It’s still challenging to decide the right flooring for your home with all the options in the market. Many homeowners are, after all, not experts on the flooring.
There are many reviews discussing travertine and ceramic to help new homeowners choose one or a few options among the several categories. With many legit online resources on natural stones, you can make the most informed decision and feel confident in your floor choice.
Table of Contents
Durability
The quality of new flooring is one of the most significant characteristics for most customers to spot while shopping. Everyone is keen on making the right choice when it comes to big projects like installing new floors.
You cannot go wrong with travertine if longevity is your top priority. This natural stone is one of the most long-lasting floors on the market, with high resistance to scratch and an unparalleled lifetime.
Travertine though strong, can be damaged if mishandled. Dragging heavy furniture or appliances can lead to cracks or scratches when you rearrange your house. Another concern is staining, commonly as a result of prolonged exposure to this porous material.
The good part is that you can always patch your travertine with caulk or epoxy if it breaks. In most cases, you won’t have to rip off the board, saving time and resources and starting from scratch.
Though the ceramic tile can last, it is more prone to cracks and chips than natural stone. It is not as long-lasting as other hard floors like porcelain or even travertine.
Both ceramic and travertine tiles are durable, but how long exactly? How long are you going to last for normal use? Like most natural stones, travertine can last hundreds of years with typical use and as long as the flooring is treated and well maintained with proper care. Ceramic follows closely with about 75 to 100 years expected life span.
Cleaning and Care
You don’t have the time to spend washing and flooring because you are like most customers. Which floor is the best choice for the low maintenance kind, travertine, or ceramic tile?
Travertine is easy to clean every day. You can wipe up the surfaces daily with a dust mop or spray. You may still use a vacuum cleaner, but make sure it does not spoil bare floors. Also, check that the vacuum is not worn out as it can scratch the surfaces. If travertine needs a more extensive tile cleaning, it gets a little tricky. Because of its porous nature, travertine can be dyed by humidity exposure.
Consider using a gentle soap with warm water to clean travertine. Again, the floor should not be heavily soaked, even though you may use a damp mop or rag.
When caring and maintaining travertine tiles, it is crucial to follow the correct guide which ensures that you use the correct materials and washing detergents.
You should take the same steps as with travertine for the regular cleaning of ceramic tiles. Using a mop, a floor cleaner, or a regular sponge to deal with dirt, dust, pet hair and dander, and other clutter. A light cleanser is the right choice for a deep cleaning purpose. You can also use water or vinegar that many owners of ceramic tiles can get in the house. Ceramic tiles are imperceptible to water hence can withstand constant mopping comfortably, compared to natural stones.
Pricing
Most homeowners have a budget in place for their home refurbishment or renovation project if you are like most customers. While budgeting is crucial, getting an accurate flooring price is difficult. Also, beware of cheap to install floors as they may require regular repairs and replacements, making them more expensive in the long run.
The tile flooring costs are determined by elements such as where you live, the types of materials, and labor charges. Stick to reliable and legit dealers like Saturnia Travertini, who not only stocks but educate homeowners on everything you need to know about natural stones. You can log on to the website and read all about various natural stones, uses, and purchasing from any part of the world you are in.
Though the cost of natural stone may appear high compared to ceramic tiles on the onset, the material’s service accords you is worth every penny.
Installation
Many DIY enthusiasts provide tutorials on how to do almost everything. Though installation of new flooring may appear like an easy task, it is not. Most established companies have invested heavily in machinery and quality to ensure that you get the best services. To save time and resources, hire a stone professional to carry out a natural stone installation. Ceramic tiles are dangerous to install with no expertise as they can cause accidents at home. The pieces are also too delicate and can easily break when mishandled.
Since there are few natural stone installation professionals, it is crucial to source the right one avoid unnecessary damages. This makes the natural stone installation process more costly compared to ceramic tiles.
Conclusion
Both ceramic flooring and travertine have their advantages. Both types of floors are incredibly durable and look fantastic in any building. However, the choice depends on the individual and what you seek to achieve.
If you want durable, clean, unique, and colorful floors, natural stones are your best bet. Consider cleaning and maintenance costs for both ceramic and travertine tiles. You can never go wrong with natural stone despite the cost.