Hello, clicker5-ga!
I am very familiar with the use of travertine in bathrooms and
showers. My husband is a general contractor, and he uses travertine in
most of the bathrooms and showers of his “spec” houses. We also had a
complete travertine bathroom in the last house we built for
ourselves…..floor, vanity, jacuzzi surround and the shower! It is
beautiful and very-easily cared for. In fact, it is the best surface I
have ever used in a bathroom. It is extremely easy to keep clean,
hardly shows soap scum or water spots, and is easily cleaned with a
squeegee. To be honest, I rarely used anything to clean it other than
a wet sponge…even the floor and the vanities.
“Travertine is the result of millions of years of seashells and bones
or sea creatures settling as sediment on the ocean floor. Travertine
has its beginnings as limestone. Hot, pressurized water dissolves
limestone, forms mud beds on the earth's surface, and once cooled,
crystallizes into travertine.”
“The calcium-based stone is excellent for interior and limited
exterior uses in both commercial and residential applications,
including flooring, countertops, showers, veneers, and tabletops.”
From Milestone Stone and Tile Resource at
http://www.milestonenm.com/travertine.htm
“Travertine is the perfect choice to reflect any lifestyle. Although
the most common application is flooring, travertine can also be used
in backsplashes, showers and baths.”
Floor Tile and Slate Company at
http://www.floortileandslate.com/travertine.htm
Sealing the Travertine
*******************
Once the travertine is installed, it needs to be sealed with a
substance like 511 Porous Plus which should be available in your tile
supply store. For a description of the product online, go to Seaway
Supply Company at http://www.stonesealer.net/prod01.htm
“511 Porous Plus is a unique polymerized silicone sealer designed
for the protection of medium to very porous surfaces. 511 Porous Plus
forms an invisible barrier that is resistant to moisture and stains
while allowing vapor to escape. 511 Porous Plus is not a surface
coating and will not alter the natural look. All surfaces are harder
and less slippery.”
“After installation, seal with a penetrating stone sealer. Sealing
will minimize any absorption of liquids that might stain the material.
Polished marble, limestone and travertine can still, however, be
damaged by acidic substances (such as vinegar, citrus drinks, mustard
and catsup). These acids can dull a polished surface or roughen a
honed finish if not wiped up promptly.”
From “Intertile Natural Stone Surfaces” at
http://intertile.com/pages/stoneloc/stoneloc_2tell_maint.html
Caring for Travertine
*********************
Bath and Other Wet Areas
In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using
a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap
scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia
to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may
eventually dull the surface of the stone.
(I never used ammonia, but you can sure try it if you like!)
Read more in “Caring for you stone installation” at
http://www.marble-institute.com/care.html
“If necessary, clean with a stone cleaner, neutral Ph cleaner or mild
dishwashing liquid. Never use abrasive cleansers, "soft scrub"
products or harsh or acidic chemicals on any stone as these can
scratch or dull the polished finish. A good rule of thumb is never to
use anything on your stone that you wouldn’t use on your hands.
There are excellent stone-specific cleaning products available,
including pH-neutral cleaners that are specifically formulated to be
gentle to stone surfaces. Avoid cleaning products not specifically
designed for marble, limestone or travertine.”
From “Intertile Natural Stone Surfaces” at
http://intertile.com/pages/stoneloc/stoneloc_2tell_maint.html
While you can find some photos of travertine showers on the internet
by searching under "photos travertine showers”, it is really best to
go to a tile showroom and see an actual shower display.
I hope this has helped to allay any fears you may have about
installing travertine in your new shower. It has been the most
wonderful substance we have ever used in a bathroom, and the easiest
to maintain.
Have fun deciding on the color. And add an accent tile here and there
for a little pizzazz!
umiat-ga
Google Search Strategy
travertine tile shower
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