Hi Maurizio. My wife and I love the rustic look of Travertine countertops and are interested in using it for our new kitchen countertops, but everyone keeps telling us what a nightmare it will be because of staining and acids in the kitchen. Is this really something to be so concerned about? I mean 90% of Italy is built of Travertine including the Colesseum, which has been there for thousands of years. To me the etching and more weathered look that comes about over the years will make it look even better as long as big stains that can't be removed won't be a problem. We like wine, so spills are bound to happen :) Would love to hear your opinion. Ciao, Anthony

 

Dear Anthony:

Providing that the holes in the slab are properly filled, travertine falls in the category of marble and other calcite-based rocks.

The stone itself has nothing to do with it. It's rather a collective culture issue.

All throughout the Mediterranean basin marble is a very popular stone as a kitchen countertop and everybody enjoys it. (Limestone is not so popular, but certain types of limestone could be acceptable in relation of what follows.) In Northern Europe and all throughout North America, many like the way it looks, but nobody enjoys it!

How's that?

For the simple reason that In Southern Europe they never install a polished marble countertop (or a polished marble floor, for that matter). They start from a hone-finished surface and then they start using and abusing it and only care for it with a good-quality stone cleaner (like MB-5). The “worse” it gets, the better they like it! It's considered “aging.” It's like a pair of old blue jeans, if you know what I mean: a highly sought “lived-in” look.

While the looks of an old pair of jeans is very much appreciated in Northern Europe or in North America, too, the same principle does not seem to apply to stone. Most people over here expect their stone to look like brand-new all the time, and any “change” is not considered “aging”, but a damage that needs to be rectified.

Hence the problem.

The question now is: regardless of your geographical location, which one of the two groups do you belong to? J

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?

Ciao and good luck,

Maurizio Bertoli