Is honed travertine appropriate for kitchen counters?

Q. I am remodeling my kitchen and I really want travertine. Am I to understand from your posts that honed untreated travertine is the best for upkeep?

 

A. There is nothing wrong with installing honed travertine as a kitchen counter top.  However, it's important that you understand that all calcium carbonate rocks --marble, travertine and limestones -- will inevitably chemically interact when they come in contact with acidic spillage such as wine, vinegar, etc., causing etch marks. Etch marks dull the appearance of the surface. If you had a gloss surface, the etch marks would be more noticeable.

Unfortunately, no sealer will prevent such damage from occurring, but it will still be advisable to seal the countertop surface with an excellent sealer such as MB-4 to prevent real stains (coffee, tea, oil) from occurring.

 

Reg Pinto
The Stone Doctor