AboutJohn Michaels Expertise All questions pertaining to all indoor floor coverings regarding best products to choose, proper installation techniques, and proper maintenance techniques.
Experience We are a nationwide floor covering inspection service. We inspect all types of indoor floor coverings in every city and town in all 50 States and in all the Provinces of Canada. We see where errors in choice of product, improper installation, and improper maintenance lead to complaints being registered and we are then called upon to inspect those products and issue certified reports indicating from where those complaint issues eminate. We have done this type of work for over 40 years.
Education/Credentials Carpet, vinyl, and hardwood manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, prior to just inspecting, and a division of our Company specifies proper floor covering choices for residential and commercial uses.
Expert: John Michaels Date: 7/8/2008 Subject: porcelain vs. travertine
Question I am remodeling my kitchen and was planning to use a travertine, but found a
porcelain tile that was more the color I needed. How do they compare to
each other regarding durability and looks? Also, the travertine seems much
smoother and potentially slippery for a kitchen floor. Thanks for any advice
you may have.
Ginger
Answer Hi Ginger;Travertine is a softer stone than porcelain, which is a type of ceramic. Between the two, I would suggest porcelain. However, remember that a kitchen area will be subjected to dropped items such as silverware and plates, and food and liquid spillages. Once damaged, it is expensive to replace a tile and grout. BEFORE you make any purchase, obtain the installation specifications of the manufacturer of the tile you choose and read them. Those specifications will detail proper installation techniques that must be followed before, during, and after the installation, acceptable underlayments, etc. This way you can watch the tiles being installed to make sure they are being installed properly. Also, BEFORE you purchase, obtain the manufacturer's maintenance manual. It will detail proper cleaning agents and techniques that should be used constantly, the need for proper furniture leg protectors that need to be changed as they show wear and monitored for any gritty soil particles being imbedded in them, the need for proper, absorbent walk-off mats that should be used, and constantly maintained at all entries to your home, and numerous other things. Porcelain tiles are available in a smooth or textured finish, and can come with or without a glaze. The number to reach the manufacturer will be in that manual (if it isn't, let me know the name of the manufacturer and I will probably be able to get you the proper contact number(s)), so call the manufacturer and ask for their technical services department and ask which texture and glaze level they suggest for your usage. Any hard surfaced floor covering is non-absorbent, so harmful soils, air polutants, allergents, etc, remain on their surfaces. They become airborne with normal foot traffic and normal home air currents. The human lung then becomes the trap and filter for those soils and polutants. Therefore, a hard surfaced floor covering may have to be maintained daily by dry vacuuming and/or dry sweeping. Check the maintenance manual. Please do NOT shop at one of those large home supply stores or over the internet. Go to a local, reputable floor covering dealer who can supply you with proper product, proper installation, along with warranties for product and installation. If you have any other questions, please feel free to get back to me.
