Travertine pavers are among the most popular and beautiful media to choose from when renovating your outdoor living area. Travertine is a natural-looking stone that can be made to fit into any decor scheme, and it's durable enough to survive the test of years and even decades of wear. Travertine pavers are also porous, which helps them to readily absorb water and makes them a safety-conscious option for those considering a DIY travertine installation by the pool. If you're looking for the perfect paver for your patio or walkway, travertine may just be the answer.

If you have already decided to renovate your outdoor space using travertine, one of the decisions you'll have to make is whether or not to seal your pavers. "Sealing" is the practice of applying a protective coating that can help you avoid staining and discoloration. Many homeowners choose to stain travertine paver surfaces to protect them from the elements as well as spills and leakages. However, before deciding to seal your patio or walkway, there are a few things to consider.

Things to consider before sealing your travertine pavers
The most obvious benefit of sealing your travertine pavers is that they'll have extra protection against staining, sun-bleaching and other forms of surface damage. Sealing your pavers can also help bring out the colors in your pavers and make them look more vibrant.

Some people prefer not to seal their travertine pavers, which is also acceptable. Travertine pavers do not need to be sealed in order to be effective. One reason you may not wish to seal your paver surface is that is can remove some of the traction, which is there to help prevent slips and falls when the travertine is wet. Others choose to use a special sealer known as "shark skin" to retain the traction while still protecting their pavers. This will protect your patio from stains while keeping the surface safe for children and older adults when wet.

Sealing your patio can also be more labor intensive, as you'll need to reapply the seal every year or every other year depending on the type of sealer you use. If you serve meals or drinks such as red wine in the paver area you may find this effort to be worthwhile, however if not, you may choose to go without a sealer.

How to seal your travertine pavers
Sealing is also a relatively easy process that can be performed any time after installing your pavers. You'll need to invest in a high-quality sealer. You'll also need to ensure that your travertine is free from waxed coating or any other debris. Then, you'll need to clean your surface using an acid-free wash. For best results, allow your pavers at least 72 hours to dry completely. This is especially important if your travertine is very porous. If this is the case, you may need to use extra sealer to make sure your pavers are completely protected. Next, apply your sealer evenly across the entire surface, according to the instructions on the packaging. When you're finished, remove excess fluid to avoid streaking. For best results, apply two coats of sealer, waiting until the first is completely dry before applying the second. Voila! Your travertine pavers will now be protected against stains and surface damage.

If you'd like to learn more about travertine pavers, talk to the friendly and knowledgeable representatives at Travertine Mart. These experts can help you decide whether sealing your pavers is right for you, and can provide a price estimate for your project today.