Both porcelain and travertine paving slab come with their fair share of benefits and share several similarities as well. Analyzing the difference between the two will help you make the right choice. Before we start with the comparison, we will first highlight the origin of stones which itself makes for a notable point of difference. Porcelain paving is a type of ceramic stone kilned at high temperatures, whereas, travertine is a natural stone composed primarily of calcite.
Travertine paving slab is a type of limestone, and like all limestone, travertine is incredibly porous and soft. It is a great option for paving because of its immaculate aesthetics. Its ivory/light beige color implies that it is easy to match with a wide range of color palettes, thereby naturally adding more life to a room.
While travertine is a popular choice for paving, it is not without hindrances. The natural porosity of travertine implies that it can absorb a lot of moisture. This is why having travertine paving in your home requires a lot of upkeep and maintenance.
This is where porcelain comes in as a contending paving material. Unlike travertine, porcelain paving has very low porosity, and as a result, it is slip-resistant, low-maintenance, strong, stain-resistant, highly durable, and usually, just numerous advantages that travertine does not offer.
If you wish for the exquisite aesthetic of travertine paving but do not want the hassle, you will be surprised to know that you can still have the best of both worlds.
So, without further ado, let’s check out several factors of comparison to help you choose between these two elegant paving stones.
Differentiating Factors Between Travertine And Porcelain paving slab
Appearance
Travertine pavers and tiles come in soft creamy shades with different patterns through their surface. Their splendor can certainly not be ignore. The holes in the travertine give this stone a rustic, natural look. The stone is available in numerous finishes that cater to the look you want to achieve. For instance, honed finished travertine with a matte appearance will give a modern look while unfilled travertine with holes on the surface will give a classic look.
Porcelain comes in a little more variety of colors. It is primarily design to mimic other materials such as stone and hardwood. This stone comes in almost all colors, thereby allowing you to experiment with your final design.
Of course, there is no wrong or right when it comes to choosing between these paving stones. The choice is yours. You would want to pick what appears to be the best choice for your property and what you want your floors to look like. So, if you are looking for quality paving services for your construction or renovation project, contact best paving service provider contractor.
Durability
The durability of floors is one of the most essential considerations when you purchase a stone. You must keep in mind that travertine is a sedimentary rock that is form under extreme temperatures and pressure over millions of years. This makes the stone durable naturally. Nevertheless, they may stain or crack over time. The pores on the surface make them prone to water damage.
On the other hand, porcelain is a manufactured stone and is immensely dense. Since it is seal completely, porcelain is invulnerable to water and would never get weak or damaged due to moisture. They are relatively more durable as opposed to travertine pavers, however, their brittleness makes them prone to chipping, scratching, or cracking over time. Dropping a heavy object accidentally on your porcelain floor may lead to chipping or cracking of the tiles.
In terms of durability, porcelain pavers are the winner due to their density, water resistance, and better resistance to breaking.
Lifespan
Changing the flooring is directly associated with a lot of hard work and expenses, particularly for homeowners who invest in flooring for a long time. This makes us consider if all floors last forever. Well, unfortunately, none of them last forever. However, this does not imply that travertine or porcelain paving is not the right choice. The durable stones can even last a lifetime. The average lifespan of porcelain paving is nearly 80 to 100 years when maintained properly. Travertine paving can also retain its beauty for over a century if cared for properly. Usually, travertine has a longer lifespan and scores one point over porcelain paving.
Maintenance
Since travertine is a natural stone, it is porous and requires sealing. We recommend that you seal the stone annually to maintain its shine and keep the surface protected. Cleaning travertine is not an exhausting chore either. All you have to keep in mind is to use pH-neutral or mild cleaners to clean your travertine pavers. A deep cleaning may cause issues due to its quick staining and porosity.
On the other hand, porcelain is a constructive stone made from ceramic clay. Therefore, it is hardly porous and rarely absorbs water or stains. Although it does not require any sealing, we still recommend that you seal it for long life. Only occasional cleaning or sweeping will help with the upkeep of porcelain paving.
In terms of maintenance, porcelain earns a brownie point as you would not have to bother about moisture staining it.
Damage Repair
Although both stones are immensely durable, they may crack or chip over time. The ability to repair the damage will save you money, and time, as well as the look of your floor.
You can use adhesive to repair a cracked or damaged travertine stone. On the other hand, porcelain cannot be repair. This implies that you have to replace the damaged stone. So, n this scenario, travertine is a clear winner.
Wrapping Up!
Travertine and porcelain are both popular paving stones used in all construction or renovation projects. Although travertine is a natural stone, porcelain is a manufacture stone that can be made to mimic other materials.
We are certain that this blog will help you make an informed decision about which one to go for. We, at JH & Co., offer extremely high-quality paving services wherein our paving service contractors work alongside you in order for you to achieve the desired look of your landscaping. Apart from this, we also offer driveway paving services, providing the best quality paving materials for your driveway. So, if you are looking for quality paving services for your construction or renovation project, get in touch with us today and we will work out an estimate within your budget.