· by Michael Blair, Nashville's Tile and Stone
Natural stone in a bathroom looks like nothing else and behaves quite differently from porcelain. Both facts should be understood before choosing it.
It absorbs
Marble, travertine and limestone are porous, so they need sealing and resealing, and in a shower that is a regular rather than occasional task.
They also stain from oils and pigments in a way porcelain does not, and shampoo and soap sit against them daily.
It etches
Anything acidic dulls the surface — and many bathroom cleaners are acidic. Etching is physical damage rather than staining and cleaning does not remove it.
Using only pH-neutral or stone-specific cleaners is not a preference here; it is a requirement.
- Seal and reseal regularly, more often in a shower
- pH-neutral or stone-specific cleaners only
- Etching is physical, not a stain — cleaning will not fix it
- Travertine has holes that need filling and refilling
- Porcelain look-alikes are a legitimate alternative
Travertine specifically
It has natural voids that are filled at the factory, and that filler comes out over time, particularly on a floor. Refilling is periodic maintenance.
Unfilled travertine in a shower collects everything, which is a look some people want and most do not want to clean.
The porcelain alternative
Modern porcelain reproductions of marble and travertine are convincing at normal viewing distance and require essentially no maintenance.
It is a reasonable choice, and the honest comparison is between genuine stone with real upkeep and a very good imitation with none.