Marble, granite & terrazzo restoration across Ontario since 1972
Call (905) 270-2959Absorbent · filled or tumbled
Travertine showers, floors, and pool decks. We fill holes, lift stains, and refinish without retiling.
No obligation · We reply within one business day
About this stone
Travertine is a relative of limestone, full of small holes. They're filled at the factory on most tile and left open on tumbled stone. The holes trap soap, oil, and minerals, so grout fails, filler pops out, and traffic dulls the high spots.
It etches like marble, but how much it absorbs is the bigger daily problem. We match the filler, smooth the surface evenly, and use a breathable sealer suited to wet areas.
Common types
Colour and finish change how travertine restores. These are the types we see most.
Smooth beige tile with filled holes and a satin finish.
Restoration note: Filler pops out first at entries and shower floors. Dark joints usually mean the grout needs work, not the stone.
Rustic tile with open holes, for basements, sunrooms, and cottage paths.
Restoration note: The most upkeep, because dirt lives in the holes. Never acid-wash it; the acid etches the stone.
Rich brown floors and walls that hide dirt until the grout fails.
Restoration note: Hard-water scale shows white on brown, so we remove it before honing. Partial DIY regrouting rarely matches.
Cool grey for modern bathrooms and kitchen floors.
Restoration note: Shows water spots and haze. The filler must match the grey, since warm-toned epoxy stands out.
What to expect
Filler fails at shower curbs, and grout darkens from soap. We deep clean, replace failed grout and caulk, touch up filler, hone, and seal. On a sound base this is faster than retiling.
Open holes hold dirt and salt. We clean them out, refill with colour-matched epoxy, and hone the whole floor, since spot work leaves smooth patches. Expect to seal more often.
Where you see it
Finishes we restore: Honed and filled (smooth bathroom tile) · Tumbled (open holes, more upkeep) · Brushed (textured walls and floors)
Restore vs replace
Retiling a travertine shower is a gut renovation. Stain removal, regrouting, filler repair, and honing restore most showers and floors in days, while you live there.
Problems we fix
Pick what you're seeing. The fix depends on the damage and on how travertine reacts to it.
Oil and mineral marks drawn out with a poultice, then resealed.
How we fix this on travertineDark shower grout and failed caulk, replaced and sealed.
How we fix this on travertineUneven wear from foot traffic, refinished across the floor.
Learn about this problemAcid marks on vanity tops, honed to match the satin finish.
Learn about this problemCompare materials
Related stones, but travertine's holes and filler mean more shower and grout work.
When to choose travertine
Warm, textured bathrooms, pool decks, and a rustic look.
When to choose limestone
Clean-lined foyers and entries with fewer holes.
| Factor | Travertine | Limestone |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Holes, filler, tumbled texture | Smoother |
| Grout upkeep | High in showers | Moderate |
| Acid etching | Yes | Yes |
| Typical repair | Regrout, refill, hone | Hone worn paths, lift stains, seal |
Marble is usually polished and veined. Travertine is usually honed, absorbent, and filled.
When to choose travertine
Earthy bathroom floors with a honed surface that grips better.
When to choose marble
Glossy vanities and bold veining.
| Factor | Travertine | Marble |
|---|---|---|
| Absorbs liquid | More; needs more sealing | Varies; still needs sealing |
| Shower grout problems | Very common | Common on marble tile |
| Finish | Mostly honed or tumbled | Often polished |
| Filler upkeep | Ongoing on filled tile | Rare |
Daily care
Stone FAQ
Free quote
Send photos of your travertine. We'll confirm the stone, explain how we'd fix it, and quote before any work starts.
No obligation · We reply within one business day
