If you are looking to update your back yard this summer and are thinking of adding some tile work then be sure to check out the natural look of Travertine. Many people are passing up the traditional fired brick look and going for a more natural stone when it comes to walkways, pool surrounds, and decks. There are several reasons for this but mostly it is because the fired tiles just look cheap and blah. Travertine patio tiles, on the other hand, can give you an ancient Roman villa feel right in your back yard.
Travertine is called the stone that built Rome. When thinking of architecture from this area a lot of people picture marble but in fact that was rarely used. The only buildings with marble work were temples, government buildings and very over the top private residences. Most of the tile and rock work was constructed of stone removed from a quarry about 60 miles from down town. This quarry was located in a valley near a town whose name has been modified over the years by different invaders and is now recognized as Travertine.
This building stone is actually found in many places today including Turkey, Mexico, Peru, and the US but it still goes by the traditional name. There are several different types of tiles which lend themselves to many different applications. Travertine is very popular for use in kitchens and bathrooms with entire shower enclosures constructed of these cut tiles. Travertine pavers are very popular outside both as an entryway walk path and in the garden or backyard. These pavers are cut thicker than wall tiles and thus stand up to the weather very well.
If you are thinking of doing any renovations or remodeling then see if you can fit some tile work in as that can really add a sense of elegance to any project. Travertine comes in many different hues so there is a color tile to fit most any application.