Travertine is a type of porous and dense stone that's popularly used for indoor and outdoor installation. The face of travertine naturally contains cavities that can be left open, or filled for a more polished look. Travertine is a sedimentary rock that belongs to the limestone family. Travertine has been used as a building material since Ancient Rome. In fact, the Colosseum was constructed primarily from travertine. In its purest form, travertine is white; it's actually the impurities in the travertine that give it a yellow and brown color.

Travertine flooring can be resistant to water when sealed properly. You may need to have your travertine floors sealed periodically (check with the manufacturer). Unsealed travertine floors can incur damage on account of spills, standing water and cleaners that contain acidic ingredients. Play it safe by avoiding acidic cleaning products whenever possible.

There are four basic finishes you can choose for travertine flooring: tumbled, brushed, honed and polished. The type of finish you choose may play a key role in determining the best cleaning regime for your floors. Polished and honed travertine floors are generally the easiest to clean as they have a smooth and even surface.

Like other stone floor types, travertine flooring is prone to scratching under abrasive materials. The Achilles' heel to most stone types is actually dirt and small particles of rock. These can inflict unsightly scratches on travertine's surface that can be impossible to repair. You can prevent dirt-related damage by taking off shoes before walking across travertine, as well as placing mats in doorways.