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Last Updated on August 9, 2024 by Heenan
Sealers are the latest trend for those who have decided to make a lifelong investment in kitchen maintenance. Protecting them from external impact or damage is necessary when it comes to expensive stone and travertine countertops in the kitchen.
Here is where the sealers come into use. Upkeeping the travertine countertops through sealing is the best way to secure them. So, we have categorized some of the best sealers that have been designed especially for travertine countertops. With our reviews’ help, you can find the high-quality travertine sealer that will suit your needs.
6 Best Travertine Sealer Reviews
Finding an ideal travertine sealer to ensure safety and protection for your countertops is challenging. But with proper analysis of each product feature, you can easily choose a suitable one. We’ve narrowed them down to six great choices to help you select.
#1. Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold Quart
Pros
- It offers a natural look to the travertine stone.
- It does not change the color or appearance of the original stone
- Water-based formula
- Stain protecting feature
- Long-lasting and resilient
Cons
- Requires multiple coatings to have a good finish
If you’re looking for a durable and long-lasting travertine sealer, this one by Aqua Mix is a perfect option. It has buildable properties that offer a seamless finish and long-term protection to the travertine countertops.
This is a no-sheen travertine sealer, which points out that it will not cast a glow or appear shimmery over the countertops. So, it is the right choice for people who do not want anything on top. It also provides a natural look to your countertops to not affect the original texture. Most individuals prefer natural-looking sealers to preserve the authenticity of the original stone.
The travertine sealer is also a penetrating sealer implying that it can penetrate deep into the surface and react to the undersurface chemically. An advantage of this property is that no visible surface film stays behind after the penetration, and there is no alteration of texture or color.
It is composed of a water-based formula, and you can count on it to act upon marble, slate, cement, etc., other than travertine. Granite, masonry, and any other element will also work fine with this travertine sealer. Another excellent quality of the travertine sealer is that it offers protection against staining. With such quality, it will maintain the travertine stone color and look and offer longevity. So, it is a great option to protect your countertops against harm or damage.
Verdict: If you like a clear finish in your travertine sealer, you can check this product out. You’d like to experience its formula even as a beginner to seal travertine stones. This product can turn out to be one of your best investments ever.
#2. Armor WL550 Matte Wet Look Enhancer Sealer
Pros
- Premium quality and rigid composition
- Resistance against stain, crack, and surface growth.
- Penetrating in nature
- Minimum water absorption
- It can be used for a long time without re-coating
Cons
- It may contain a distinct smell for the first 24 hours.
Armor WL550 is one of the best quality sealers out there. Its stable features and excellent benefits are no match for any of the traditional sealers available.
In terms of nature, this one is penetrating, just like the prior one. The penetrating property allows it to probe deep into the supporting media. Later, it reacts chemically with the media to create a hydrophobic barrier. With such a barrier, any discoloration or irregularity in the original pattern of the travertine stone. Even if your surface undergoes fading, this travertine sealer will amplify it.
Such a barrier minimizes the absorption of water a great deal. It also has a matte wet look water repellent sealer possible due to the hydrophobic blockade. Reducing water absorption decreases events like pitting or cracking. Surface growth is also prevented with the help of this property.
When it comes to composition, the Armor WL550 contains resins that are of premium quality. It is also breathable and UV resistant, adding to its excellent quality. This quality makes it fit for travertine, any natural stone, masonry, or unsealed concrete. You can easily use it to secure your countertops from staining, cracking, and other damage.
This product can last for an average of 3-5 years before needing an additional coat because it works below the surface. Since it works below the surface, it prevents UV rays or external impact and thus ensures longevity.
Verdict: You can try this product out because of its good resilience and great quality. You might love this product if you like a high degree of protection in your travertine sealer.
#3. Miracle Sealants 511GAL4 511 Sealer Review
Pros
- Resistance against water damage
- Seals the pores and ridges of tiles and stones completely
- Stain-proof
- Complete slip protection
- Enhances the discolored surfaces
Cons
- The first coat may take a long time to dry down.
Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator is another high-quality travertine tile sealer that will work on travertine and other natural stone or concrete countertops. The combination of challenging features and stable properties makes this the best travertine tile sealer out there!
This travertine tile sealer is also a penetrating sealer in nature. It offers protection to all kinds of porous surfaces and works by penetrating beneath the surface media. It also makes a robust and transparent layer to fight against any staining. Resistance against any form of moisture is also ensured through this property. Even when it gives protection against moisture, it still allows enough release of water vapor.
Another excellent quality of the travertine tile sealer is that it does not affect the original texture, natural stone color, or pattern. That means it does not change the authentic look of the travertine stone and keeps it completely natural. Instead, it acts as an enhancer for the dull coloration of the surfaces. The surfaces look more vibrant and clear-coated after applying the travertine sealer.
This travertine tile sealer seal surfaces in such a way that they become resilient to any staining, water damage, or external impact. The characters treated appear robust and tough and have complete slip protection. It is also UV transparent, weather-resistant, and easy to use.
The 511 Impregnator also acts impeccably, sealing off pores and ridges in the stones and tiles. Sealing the pores ensures that the countertops last long and stay perfect. So, your kitchen and floors look attractive and new every time you see them.
Verdict: You might love this travertine tile sealer if you prefer a sealer with weather-resistant properties. It might turn out to be the most excellent travertine sealer you’ve ever come across. This product will fascinate you even if you’re a professional or a beginner.
#4. Granite Gold Sealer Spray Sealing
Pros
- It can be sprayed on surfaces that handle food
- Biodegradable and non-toxic material
- It can be used on any stone surface
- Protection against stains and water damage
- Reduces absorption of water
Cons
- Needs application after every six months
Granite Gold Sealer is another fantastic quality product designed to provide the best service for those who want maximum protection for their tile & stone surfaces. Starting from coffee stains and oil to other liquids, the travertine sealer will protect against anything.
The principal working action of the product is to form a hydrophobic barrier. This barrier will prevent any soil accumulation, surface growth, or etching from forming. It also decreases the water absorption rate, thus avoiding any damage that can result from water absorption. Overall, you can get protection from stains, water damage, impact, etc., due to the barrier.
You can even use it on surfaces where food is handled without problem. It is possible because it is non-toxic. It also has non-acidic properties, and it is devoid of ammonia. There is also a balance of pH, which makes it entirely safe for use on food surfaces.
A good plus point with this travertine sealer is that it is effortless. You only need to spray the travertine sealer over the surface and immediately rub it with a piece of cloth devoid of lint. After wiping the surface, repeat the step more than twice at an interval of 15 minutes apart. Repeating the step ensures that the surface is sealed off properly.
The sealing spray is designed to keep all kinds of stone surfaces in mind. You can use it for anything from granite, marble, slate, and travertine to any natural stone.
Verdict: You can try this travertine sealer if you are open to trying a different sealing spray. This one will amaze you because of its non-toxicity and its character to work effectively. Despite the drawback of a short-term application, you might like it a lot.
#5. DOMINATOR Stone+ Low Gloss Stone Sealer Review
Pros
- Restoration of dull colors
- Suitable for outdoor purposes like pools
- Protection against mold, moisture, and stains
- UV resistance
- Devoid of odor
Cons
- It takes a long time to dry completely
This travertine stone sealer is designed to keep professional users in mind. The versatility of the travertine sealer is what attracts professional contractors the most. It is no exception to the other brands out there in terms of both appearance and properties.
It is specially formulated with breathability and UV-resistant material to aid in different working conditions. Specially designed for dense stone surfaces and clay pavers, this one is equipped with some fantastic properties. You can even apply it on damp surfaces easily without any difficulty.
There is an excellent property of enhancing color over dull and faded surfaces of travertine stone. With this property, you can achieve a natural, low gloss/ no gloss finish over the stone surfaces. You can also get rid of discolorations with this product. It works amazingly for natural stone surfaces, granite, marble, concrete, slate, etc.
This commercial-grade travertine sealer comes with a good quality UV-resistant property, protecting the surface from harmful radiation. Therefore, they are entirely perfect for indoor as well as outdoor purposes. You can consider it the top-rated travertine sealer for pools for such a reason.
It quickly protects against moisture, mold, mildew, and stains from coffee or any liquid. There is also the advantage of no odor formation, which makes it comfortable for most people to use.
Verdict: This is an excellent product if you’ve just started sealing and want to stick to a flexible option. It has some great benefits on the protective side, but at the same time, it is easy to handle.
#6. Black Diamond Stoneworks Natural Stone Sealer
Pros
- It does not interfere with the natural look and color of the stone surface
- Resistance against crack, pitting, staining
- Spill free design
- Protects against non-yellowing
- Safe for food-prepping surfaces
Cons
- It does not come with a spray attachment
Black Diamond Travertine Sealer can do the best job on your travertine stone surface with its impeccable quality. It is perfectly suitable for all stone surfaces and works well indoors and outdoors. The wet look especially favors outdoor purposes and leaves a significant impact.
One of the best things about this stone sealer is that it is safe on surfaces that handle and prepare food. The non-acidic, ammonia-devoid nature of the surface makes it suitable for characters that deal with serving foods.
It works well on exposed aggregate, stamped, and even decorative surfaces and restores faded colors.
Another good point about the travertine sealer is that it does not discolor the surface after drying. It tries its best to maintain the natural look of the stone surface. Besides, it also resists staining by chemicals and oils and gives a spill-free finish. The non-yellowing of the surface also does not occur with this product.
It is also penetrating in nature, meaning that it can easily penetrate under the active substrate and seal off the ridges that form. With this stone sealer, you can obtain benefits like protection against water damage, cracking, pitting, etc..
Verdict: This one will also be an excellent investment if you want a more durable option for your natural stone countertops. You can try it out according to your preferred amount, and you might start to like its smooth delivery.
What Is Travertine?
Travertine falls under the category of limestones. It can be denoted as a particular type of limestone produced by deposits of different minerals. Travertine can also be regarded as a sedimentary stone.
It is created by the abrupt precipitation of calcite, commonly known as calcium carbonate. The limestone derives its distinct nature through a mixture of other minerals.
Travertine differs a lot in coloration, finishes, and movement. It comes in different attractive natural colors. The colors mainly include beige, brown, silver-grey, and deep taupe. There is also a range of finishes observed with this stone. They mostly have honed, polished and brushed finishes.
Why Do You Need to Seal Travertine?
Travertine is such a limestone that it comes with pores and ridges. It also has a soft consistency and can easily be prone to withering. Sealing the stone refers to making it safe from external damage and deterioration.
Harsh chemicals, staining, external impact, water damage, etc., can prematurely cause the wearing of the stone. So, it must be sealed to protect its natural beauty and ensure it lasts a long time.
Travertine sealing also prevents it from absorbing liquids, thus protecting it from staining, cracking, pitting, or surface growth.
Travertine Sealer Buying Guide
When it comes to travertine sealers, selecting the best one can get pretty scary. The best way to make the right choice is by studying their features individually and emphasizing some critical aspects. Here are some of the most important things you should look for when buying a travertine sealer-
#1. Water-based/ Solvent-based:
Sealers designed for natural stones usually come as water-based or solvent-based ones. Water acts as the transporting media and seals the polymers in the travertine stones in water-based sealers. A water-based sealer not only creates a barrier for the pores but also ensures breathability. As a result, they are perfect for protecting against moisture, mold, water damage, etc.
In the case of solvent-based sealers, transportation takes place by chemical solvents. Solvent-based sealers offer higher protection against oils and grease compared to water-based ones. But they comprise volatile substances, which makes them less suitable for house application.
So, if you want something suitable for use inside houses and food handling surfaces, water-based ones are perfect.
#2. Durability:
The durability of any sealer plays a vital role in determining its efficiency. You can clearly understand how durable a sealer is by its properties. A durable sealer can withstand water damage, deterioration, or surface growth. It also possesses the capacity to resist staining, cracking, etc.
Moreover, if the sealer can restore the natural stone’s true colors and fix any fading issues, then that sealer is considered durable and long-lasting.
#3. Finishes:
Sealers comprise different finishes, among which a clear and an enhanced finish are common. A sealer with a clear finish emphasizes maintaining the natural stone color and look. The sealer will provide a clean and luminous finish, but it will not change the original stone color or texture.
On the other hand, a sealer with an enhanced finish can provide a glossier look to the stone and fix any color fading. These sealers are responsible for offering a wet look to the stone surface and are suitable for outdoor purposes like pools.
Enhanced finishes are quite popular now, but they are not much used inside kitchen countertops or indoors. So, a clear finish will be suitable if you want something for your floors and kitchen countertops. But if you want the wet look according to your requirements, an enhanced finish will be excellent.
#4. Application:
An important thing to consider in sealers is how you can apply them. In such a case, there are two application methods- one through spraying and the other one through a paintbrush.
Sealers that come with a convenient spray bottle and nozzle can be used for spraying. It makes it easier to mix and spray without involving any other tool. You can finish the job in less time, but it isn’t easy to measure the appropriate proportion.
Another way to use them is by applying them with a paintbrush and filling them in jugs or bowls. It is useful when you need a concentrated sealer to sort out inappropriate measures. But they can occupy a long time, and the bowl can get ruined completely.
So, you can choose your desired application method considering the time you can spend on it and the amount you need for your specific stone surface.
#5. Protective features:
A sealer can be considered best only if it has specific protective features. The protective qualities of a sealer depend on the sealer’s nature, whether it is penetrating or topical.
Penetrating sealers offer higher protection against any impact, etching, damage, deterioration, etc. They also minimize water absorption, which is excellent for natural stones like travertine.
Topical sealers are very easy to apply but cannot block the pores like penetrating ones. Although they are slip-resistant, they also cannot protect against yellowing. For such reasons, a penetrating sealer is the best for travertine stones.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Sealing Travertine?
Sealing a travertine stone surface can have some advantages and disadvantages. Some of these are-
Advantages
- Protection against surface growth, soil build-up, and etching
- Minimal water absorption leads to no damage by water
- Resistance against mold, mildew, staining
- Oil and greasy contaminants removal
- Clear and brighter finish to the natural stone
- Slip resistance and non-yellowing of the stone
- Fights against weathering
Disadvantages
- Not a permanent process; it needs re-coat within a range of 6 months to three years, depending on the quality of the sealer
- Spalling may occur after a few months of use.
- Re-coatings require stripping and reapplication, which can lead to damage to the stone within a few years
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
#1. How to remove sealer from travertine?
Answer: To remove the travertine sealer, clean the stone with acetone and use a soft brush to blend it with the surface. Please keep it for 15 minutes, and later, clean it with a cloth and let it dry.
#2. What is the best sealer for travertine?
Answer: Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold Quart is the best sealer for travertine because of its excellent properties and unique features that act as a penetrating sealer. It delivers a clear and bright finish to the stone, protects against erosion, and is easy to apply.
#3. Should travertine be sealed?
Answer: Yes, the travertine should be sealed. Since it is natural limestone, it is prone to pores and ridges to make way for bacteria growth, water damage, and etching. If the travertine is sealed, it will block off the pores and resist any deterioration.
#4. How do you seal travertine countertops?
Answer: Travertine countertops can be sealed using a good quality sealer. You can seal the countertop by applying the sealer through a sprayer or brush over a small surface and blending it through a bristle brush. Give time to absorb and then dry down entirely and test whether there is any irregularity.
#5. Does sealing travertine make it slippery?
Answer: Yes, sealing travertine can make it slippery. It can occur because of the sealer’s penetration and the transparent or glossy finish. So, if you want a sealer without any slippery surface, you can get specific sealers designed with a slip-resistant property.
#6. How many coats of sealer does travertine have?
Answer: Travertine surfaces require two coats of sealer on average. The first coat takes a long time to dry, so you need to wait for it to dry completely before applying the second coat. The second coat is penetrating, which will completely block the pores.
#7. Does travertine crack easily?
Answer: Like most natural stones, travertine contains hairline cracks that can unfold anytime. It can occur due to the subfloor’s deflection, installation difficulty, etc. If properly taken care of, it will not crack frequently.
#8. How do you clean the travertine before sealing?
Answer: Before sealing, the travertine should be cleaned using a cleaner designed for natural stone sealers only. Applying a small amount of such cleaner on the stone surface and brushing away any debris or dirt will do the trick. Later, you can dry it using a microfiber towel.
In Conclusion
On the whole, travertine sealers are very important for interior uses at present. Choosing a heavy-duty travertine sealer can require a lot of analysis of properties and critical features. Our reviews and buying guide will be helpful enough to choose a suitable sealer for your travertine.