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Design Dilemma
vicky_chrisner

Natural Stone Backsplash

12 years ago
I have been thinking about doing a travertine backsplash. I was having trouble finding samples locally so I went to Lowes. They had a tumbled MARBLE "Noce". It looked like tumbled travertine to me. Today I was at Lowes, they have what appears to be the exact thing, labeled TRAVERTINE "Noce". So now I am confused... My questions are:
1. Is travertine a marble? People refer to them as if they are different, but I couldn't tell the difference.
2. What are the pros/cons of using a material such as this as a kitchen backsplash? Is there anything else you think I should consider before committing? (Pic of my kitchen attached)
3. I was told at Lowes today that to know the "true" color of a stone such as this, I should wet it with water because that is the color it will be once sealed. Is this true?
Thank you all!
Featured Answer
  • 12 years ago
    This looks nice. A tad darker. It is a travertine subway tile and apparently can be looked up on backsplash.com
    Jennifer Brouwer Design Inc · More Info

    Comments (28)

    • 12 years ago
      Hi Vicky. Is there any chance you could post a pic of the tile you are considering at Lowes? Visuals for putting things together are helpful for us to make suggestions for you.
    • 12 years ago
      Attached are - the info from the box & 2 pics of the exact same tiles, in the same configuration. One is dry, one wet. The one where they look more similar is where they are wet.

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    • 12 years ago
      Vicky, the tile seems " pinkish" in tone when wet. Or is it the photo? Try standing them up on the wall a bit on your counter top to try another photo if you wouldn't mind.
    • 12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      1. No, it is not the same. They are both natural stone but their composite is different.
      2. Travertine is porous and prone to etching but would be fine as a sealed backsplash.
      3. Yes, sealers tend to deepen the color of porous stone. The wet look is similar to the sealed look.

      I like the look of the travertine but feel the color is not right. I will search some pics and post a suggestion or two soon.
      Vicky Chrisner thanked Amy Cali
    • 12 years ago
      No not pinkish. Its pitch dark here and the lights under the cabinets may give a pinkish hue. I tried standing them up but I can't get more than one to stand up and it's still under that light. They are more like a light gingerbread. The point is you see the difference between the "dry" and "wet" look, right? Which is closer to what they'll look like with sealer?
    • 12 years ago
      I see the difference but like Amy, not sure from the pic about the color with your granite.
      Vicky Chrisner thanked rosecottagehome
    • 12 years ago
      So Wiki says that Travertine is Limestone... and " It is sometimes known as travertine limestone or travertine marble; these are the same stone, although travertine is classified properly as a type of limestone, not marble." So the two things I was looking at are surely cut of the same type of rock, whatever they call it.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Seems pinkish to me, from the pic, at least. How big of tiles are you considering?
    • 12 years ago
      @ RoseCottageHome, I understand. I was liking the lighter look of the tiles (when dry) thinking that once grout was applied it would blend well. But if they are going to look darker when sealed regardless of the grout we choose, then... well, I am open for suggestions.
    • 12 years ago
      @DMH probably 4x4
    • 12 years ago
      I have also heard travertine referred to as a kind of marble. Noce travertine usually looks quite grey and this is very pink which is not all like the noce I''ve seen. It looks like it might be a very light walnut travertine.

      Any sealed stone darkens up but usually not quite as much as when it's been wetted. I have Turkish gold travertine as my backslash and it is fabulous for giving a warm, earthy look.

      I think you it would be good to pick a backsplash that is as dark as the darkest color in the granite to give you some contrast between your cabinets and counters. This backsplash tile you're currently contemplating will not give much contrast at all. and may be too pink even if you wanted monochromatic.
    • 12 years ago
      I'd take a look at honed cordoba cream travertine in a 3x6.
      Vicky Chrisner thanked Amy Cali
    • 12 years ago
      I have travertine stone all in my backyard and around the pool. I absolutely love the look and feel of travertine. I think that if you like the look of travertine go for it! I honestly think that travertine gives your kitchen a sophisticated and expensive look! Good luck and post pics when done:)
      Vicky Chrisner thanked baldo2797
    • 12 years ago
      @Rosecottage I think I found that same picture this morning. We like it a lot, but were on the fence about it, afraid it might be just a tad too busy. @Amy - thank you, yes, I do like that lighter - it's hubby that wants it a tad darker...not as dark as the floor, but darker thank the cream colored. You can only see a tiny bit of the floor in the pic above. You're all being very helpful. Thank you.
    • 12 years ago
      Here are pics of the Noce that I found elsewhere on this site...
      Noce travertine with Oceanside Mandala Arabesque decos · More Info
    • 12 years ago
      Spa Shower with Steam bath · More Info
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      Noce Travertine tends to be a chocolate color. If you think it is too dark look for a lighter travertine. Travertine comes in different colors depending on its source. Mexican travertine is different from Turkish which it different from Italian or Peruvian. Go to a tile showroom like Dal-tile or Interceramic and look at a larger selection than you will find at a Lowes or HD. Remember that it is a natural stone and thee can be natural variances with in the same box regardless of origin.

      Look at my houzz page and you can see a couple of baths using Mexican travertine in both beige and Noce.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      There are two types of sealer. One is an enhanced sealer. It'll darken the stone make it look more like it does when wet. The other sealer won't darken the stone so much. You'll be left with more of a natural looking stone. Travertine and marble are both softer stones and are fine for a backsplash.
      Vicky Chrisner thanked Signature Home Services
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Hi Vicky, we use these products every day. First of all Noce' is the wrong color for your granite tops. There is some information offered here to you that is not entirely correct. One is that you have to wet the tumbled stone to see what it is going to look like. This is not completely true. Yes you would wet tile if your were going to use a stone enhancing sealer. There are many sealers that dry and do not change the color of the stone also. Second, a color like Jerusalem Gold Tumbled stone mixed with some Ivory tumbled stone would be nice to compliment things.
    • 9 years ago

      I have a huge problem my installerput up a backsplash in my kitchen it was creams and brown , when he put sealer on my stones it changed the color drastically to a gold color , why would I buy a cream n brown (taupe) color if I new it was gonna change to gold, never would have , Now he's trying to tell me there's nothing wrong that dealers always change colors of stone . I been googling it and it tells me if he had used a clear sealant it don't change colors ... Signed very angry

    • 9 years ago

      Please HELP

    • 9 years ago
      Lisa, this is an old thread from 2013, best start a new one of your own.
    • 9 years ago

      Lisa - As you can see, I did learn about the sealers changing the colors of the tile before they were installed... and I was told to wet the tiles to see what they would look like after sealer is applied.

      If you read the comment by McCusky Showcase Kitchens & Baths above, it seems they are claiming there is a sealer that doesn't change the color. No contractor I know seemed to know of that, so I would reach out to them and see if they can tell you what it is.

      Not that I know how, but a google search assures me that sealer can be removed from grout. So if you can get the name of the magic sealer that does not change the color of the tile, then I would do that and do a sample with the "right" sealant. Otherwise, it looks like you'll adjust to the backsplash or get the fun of having it torn out and replaced. (YIKES)

    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Vicky for the past several years our installation teams have been using Auqa Mix Sealer's Choice Gold along other sealers in the Auqa Mix line. What we have found is there is very little color change when using it on tumbled stone tile. We have also used their grout sealer on tumbled stone and it works well as a sealer of the stone also due to the fact that tumbled stone is very porous. As true with all sealers you should test the sealer on a very small area and allow it to dry before sealing the entire area. I hope this helps you out.

    • 9 years ago
      Travertine is a limestone...from deposits around hot springs...it is a lovely look in the right setting but feels a little rustic for your kitchen ....besides the indefinite color issues and the rough texture it would seem impractical for a back splash and kind of out of sync with your slick surfaces...the tile size also seems too casual for your kitchen...what is it that you like most about that finish?
    • 9 years ago

      RitaSJ - Are you referring to my initial post? That is several years old and we did use the tumbled travertine and I have been incredibly happy with the results...

    • 9 years ago
      Sorry Vickie.. can't really grasp why they post years old discussions under "recent".. occasionally one slips by me..glad you are happy with your result..
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