Is travertine good for kitchen and bath countertops?

Question

We are about to put in countertops and I wanted granite, but it's too expensive. I've been told Travertine is excellent for kitchen/bath countertops. I've also read that it is horrible for countertops because it is a limestone. I really need clarification about travertine. Thanks.

Answer 1

Bath is fine. But the kitchen needs a tougher surface that is less porous or you will have chips and stains everywhere. Spring for the granite in the kitchen. You can usually get a good deal through Home Depot or Lowes. The kitchen countertop is not a good place to cut the budget.

Answer 2

travertine
-- A light-colored [depending on the quarry of origin] porous calcite, CaCO3, deposited from solution in ground or surface waters and forming, among other deposits, stalactites and stalagmites.
-- A compact calcium carbonate used as a facing material in construction.

limestone
--A common sedimentary rock consisting mostly of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, used as a building stone and in the manufacture of lime, carbon dioxide, and cement.

As you can see, limestone and travertine have the same chemical makeup.
They are both soft stones, easily scratched; if not properly sealed, stain easily. Also, acid spills (vinegar for instance) will scar the stone -- tho' you'd have to let it sit a spell.

Generally, travertine is riddled with vugs -- holes that must be extensively filled with resin; the product that is marketed as limestone has a smoother, more solid appearing surface.

As far as overall looks, limestone is usually shades of grey, often containing fossils. Travertine ranges from white to pinks, oranges, rust colors in swirls across the surface.

If the stone is high quality; properly prepared; and you're not excessively hard on surfaces, I'd use either limestone or travertine, instead of granite.
Beware that any stone IS cold, not pleasent to lean up or walk on in the winter.
A suggestion: depending on where you live...you could contract your stone directly from a stone mason. Try gathering estimates from them and the retailers.
I'd slip in a advertisement for my stone mason brother, but Yahoo would ban me for life!
:-D

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Answer 3

it looks nice, i have travertine in my bathrooms countertops'and is not as durable as I believe, try using any other marble

Answer 4

u dont want to use it.....does not seal well and doesnt hold up to heat and like......

lic. gen. contactor