What Different Types of Travertine Sealing Options Are Available to Me?

Travertine is a beautiful stone, and even though it’s a stone, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be damaged. In fact, Orlando travertine sealing is crucial to protect it against water damage and staining. There are different types of sealing options, though, so the question is: which sealing option should you pick?

Different Types of Travertine Sealing Options

Travertine makes a beautiful tiling option for your bathroom, kitchen, pool area, and so on. The only issue is that it does require some regular maintenance in the form of sealing. That’s because travertine tends to absorb water, which can damage the tiles and cause permanent staining. A sealer will prevent this while keeping the natural look of the stone.

A Proper Sealer

First off, don’t be tempted to use something substandard just to save a little money because these can actually damage your tiles.

You need to find the right sealer to protect your tiles. When you’re considering your sealer options, think about where your tiles are, whether they face certain weather conditions, and what the daily wear and tear is.

Types of Sealers

There are a few types of sealers. You have your penetrating sealers, enhancing sealers, and topical sealers, all of which are different.

Starting with topical sealers, these are just sealers that sit on the top of your travertine to prevent dirt or water damage. Eventually, it will wear off and need to be applied again. You can also choose your type of topical sealer to be either low sheen or high gloss.

Then there are penetrating sealers that seep into the surface of the tile. They won’t change the appearance of the tile like your topical sealer, nor will they scrape off over time.

Finally, you have enhancing sealers, which will change the surface to enhance its natural look. They will not make it shine necessarily, but will still provide some protection against any staining or chips.

Penetrating Sealers

You know a little bit about each type of sealer now, but when it comes to penetrating sealers, there are two different quality types as well.

You can use the standard quality to protect your tile against cold drinks and dirt. This is fine for your usual usage, but you may find this less useful if you cook a lot since this type of sealer does not protect against oily stains.

Then there’s the premium quality penetrating sealer, which pretty much protects against everything. The big drawback to this type of sealer is really that it’s quite expensive compared to your standard option.

Resealing

Topical sealers do need to be reapplied, so when should you reapply them? It depends on where you have the sealer and how much foot traffic you have moving through that area, how exposed to the elements it is, and what type of product you used for protection.

Even for other types of sealers, keep in mind that you do want to reapply them. If you want an easy way to figure out when to reseal them, you can sprinkle some water right onto the tile. It should take time for the water to be absorbed into your tile, or it shouldn’t be absorbed at all. If it absorbs quickly into the tile, it’s time to get your tile resealed.

Conclusion

Travertine is a beautiful stone that will really enhance the look of your home. However, it can be damaged if it isn’t taken care of properly. This means sealing your tile with the right sealer depending on where you have your tile and what type of gloss or natural look you want. With proper care and some periodic resealing, you will get to enjoy your beautiful tiles for years to come. 

If you have any questions about the right travertine sealer, don’t hesitate to contact us. With years of experience, we’ve dealt with all sorts of travertine tiles and sealers and will be able to recommend the right one for you.