Is Travertine Tile Good for Shower Floors?

Jan 17, 2026

Written by cihan irgi

Is Travertine Tile Good for Shower Floors?

If you’re considering travertine tile for a shower floor, you’re asking the right question. Shower floors are one of the most demanding areas in any home, and not every tile performs well under constant water exposure.

The short answer is: Yes — travertine can be an excellent choice for shower floors, when selected and installed correctly.

This guide explains why homeowners choose travertine, what to watch out for, and whether it’s the right option for your bathroom.

Quick Answer

✔️ Yes, travertine is good for shower floors
✔️ Naturally slip-resistant
✔️ Comfortable underfoot
✔️ Timeless, spa-like appearance
⚠️ Must be sealed properly

Why Travertine Works Well for Shower Floors

Travertine is a natural stone formed by mineral-rich water, which gives it a textured surface and natural grip—a key advantage in wet areas.

Key Benefits of Travertine in Showers

Slip resistance (especially tumbled or brushed finishes)
Warm, natural feel underfoot
Doesn’t feel slick when wet
Ages beautifully over time
Classic spa and luxury bathroom look

Unlike highly polished surfaces, travertine provides traction where it matters most.

Best Travertine Finishes for Shower Floors

Not all travertine finishes are equal for showers.

✅ Best Choices

Tumbled travertine
Brushed travertine
Honed & lightly textured finishes

These finishes enhance grip and reduce slipping.

❌ What to Avoid

Highly polished travertine on shower floors
(polished surfaces can become slippery when wet)

Travertine vs Other Shower Floor Materials

Material	Slip Resistance	Comfort	Look
Travertine	Excellent	Warm	Natural & spa-like
Marble (polished)	Low	Cool	Luxurious
Porcelain	Varies	Hard	Uniform
Pebble stone	Very high	Uneven	Natural

Travertine stands out for offering the best balance of comfort, safety, and beauty.

Does Travertine Absorb Water?

Travertine is a natural stone and must be sealed, but when sealed properly:

It is safe for wet areas
It resists moisture penetration
It performs reliably for years

Sealing is standard practice for all natural stone shower floors.

Maintenance: Is Travertine Hard to Care For?

No — travertine is easy to maintain with simple habits:

Use pH-neutral cleaners
Reseal periodically (usually every 1–2 years)
Avoid harsh or acidic products

With proper care, travertine shower floors last decades.

Who Should Choose Travertine for Shower Floors?

Travertine is ideal if you:

Want a slip-resistant shower floor
Prefer a natural, spa-like look
Want something comfortable underfoot
Are choosing real natural stone
Plan proper installation and sealing

When Travertine Might NOT Be the Best Choice

Travertine may not be ideal if you:

Want zero maintenance
Prefer ultra-modern, uniform tiles
Do not want to seal stone at all

In those cases, porcelain may be a better fit.

Common Questions

Is travertine slippery in showers?
No, when using tumbled or brushed finishes, travertine provides excellent traction.

Can travertine be used on shower floors?
Yes, it is one of the most popular natural stone choices for shower floors.

Does travertine mold easily?
No, proper sealing and ventilation prevent moisture issues.

Is travertine better than marble for shower floors?
In most cases, yes — travertine offers better slip resistance.

Final Verdict

Travertine is a smart, proven, and beautiful choice for shower floors when installed and sealed correctly.

It offers:

Safety
Comfort
Timeless design
Long-term value

That’s why designers and homeowners continue to choose it.

Ready to Choose?

👉 Shop Travertine Tiles
👉 Order Shower Floor Samples Before You Decide
👉 Get Help Choosing the Right Finish

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beautiful regal color and

beautiful regal color and stone

Thank you for your feedback. We’d like to clarify this for future customers.

The item purchased is 2x2 tumbled black marble, which is a natural stone. As clearly noted in the product description, tumbled marble must be sealed to reveal its true, enriched color. When unsealed, black marble will naturally appear lighter, dusty, or grayish—this is normal and expected. Once a sealer is applied, the color deepens significantly and becomes much darker, showing the true black tone of the stone.

A simple way to preview the final color before sealing is to apply a small amount of water to the surface (for example, with a damp cloth). This temporarily shows how the marble will look after sealing.

The material provided was correct, authentic, and consistent with the listing. Because this is a natural stone characteristic—not a defect—and the product was not returned, a refund is not applicable.

We always encourage customers to review installation and care notes carefully, as proper sealing is an essential step for tumbled marble to achieve its intended appearance.

do not skip the sample before you purchase

If accuracy matters to you, do not skip getting a sample. I needed a travertine tile matching the specs including the thickness listed on the Surfaces Garlore Website. I swapped messages & chatted to confirm the dimensions & inventory. Thank goodness I also requested the sample, the actual tile was over 1/8" off the listed specs for thickness--a complete disaster if I had actually followed thru to a purchase & ship across the several states from Anaheim to my jobsite. Although the color of the tile, the brushed finish & the edge detail were right, the THICKNESS was very much not right--unfortunately for me, I am now back to my search & frustrated that my questions prior to samples were basically not replied to with accuracy. Travertine is a beautiful natural product & variance between lots happens--this just shows sloppy business practice & really poor custormer service.

Thank you for sharing your feedback and for taking the time to order a sample.

To clarify from the beginning: the item description and specification on our website accurately reflect the production material, and the thickness is clearly stated on the specification page. Samples are provided to show color range, surface finish, and edge detail only. Samples are not intended to represent exact size or thickness tolerances, which are always listed separately under product specifications.

As noted on our product page, all dimensions listed are nominal, which is standard across the natural stone industry. Travertine is a natural material, and variations in thickness, color, surface texture, and edge detail are normal and expected, especially with unfilled, brushed, and chiseled-edge finishes.

For additional clarity, 18x18 travertine tiles are produced at a nominal thickness of approximately 1/2 inch across the industry. A true 3/8' thickness in an 18x18 travertine tile is not an industry-standard production and is generally not available due to structural and handling limitations of natural stone at that size.

This is precisely why we strongly recommend ordering a sample before placing a full order—to physically review the material’s characteristics prior to shipment. In this case, the sample fulfilled its purpose by confirming whether the material met your project requirements before committing to a cross-country order.

The fact that the color, brushed finish, and chiseled edge met your expectations confirms that the sample accurately represents the production material supplied by the quarry and factory.

We understand that exact tolerances can be critical for certain projects; however, natural stone is not a manufactured product, and exact thickness uniformity cannot be guaranteed.

We appreciate your feedback and wish you the best with your project moving forward.

Looks like a great product

Looks like a great product. I cannot wait to order this for our project.

I like the color and I think it will complement my bathroom

I like the color and I think it will complement my bathroom.

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News

Is Travertine Tile Good for Shower Floors?

Is Travertine Tile Good for Shower Floors?

Quick Answer

Why Travertine Works Well for Shower Floors

Key Benefits of Travertine in Showers

Best Travertine Finishes for Shower Floors

✅ Best Choices

❌ What to Avoid

Travertine vs Other Shower Floor Materials

Does Travertine Absorb Water?

Maintenance: Is Travertine Hard to Care For?

Who Should Choose Travertine for Shower Floors?

When Travertine Might NOT Be the Best Choice

Common Questions

Final Verdict

Ready to Choose?

Leave a comment

Let customers speak for us

Get the app

Found a better price?

News

Is Travertine Tile Good for Shower Floors?

Quick Answer

Why Travertine Works Well for Shower Floors

Key Benefits of Travertine in Showers

Best Travertine Finishes for Shower Floors

✅ Best Choices

❌ What to Avoid

Travertine vs Other Shower Floor Materials

Does Travertine Absorb Water?

Maintenance: Is Travertine Hard to Care For?

Who Should Choose Travertine for Shower Floors?

When Travertine Might NOT Be the Best Choice

Common Questions

Final Verdict

Ready to Choose?

Leave a comment

Let customers speak for us