Hi mluh You've obviously done your research on these products, so it's most likely going to come down to personal preference. As you've mentioned, a natural stone is going to come with an amount of maintenance but the beauty of Travertine is within its variation. Once sealed with a good quality sealer (I recommend Guard Industry), the maintenance is really quite low and most spills are lost within those natural variations. 99% of spills can be cleaned up without too much trouble. Porcelain, on the other hand, can be quite difficult to clean once it's been marked. That said, the external porcelains have a great non-slip texture and are very hardy when used as paving/tiles. I'm personally not a fan of using them as pool coping, but many people love it. Again, both have their advantages and disadvantages so I would recommend using the product that you're happy looking at for the next 10-20 years. - Jordan

In Australia everyone is in preparation for summer and holiday time at home. Fun in the sun, lazing by the pool you will need to have your entertainment and pool areas cleaned and ready for family and friends. This is where the professional stone services of The Marble Man will assist. Outdoor pavers around pools, in courtyards and on driveways, made from sandstone, limestone, travertine, terrazzo, flagstone and granite are quite resistant to weather however they are susceptible to staining and discolouration from outdoor pollution, soil, pool chemicals, leaves, oils and bird droppings. View The Marble Man website - www.themarbleman.com.au for outdoor stone cleaning information. Sealing will protect these stones to a degree however regular cleaning is recommended to avoid long term damage and the need for resurfacing. The Marble Man is experienced at successfully removing discolouration from green moss, mould, leaves and other organic stains using special cleaning products and systems. Our technicians will revive your outdoor stone pavers so that the appeal of your pool or entertaining area is restored to be enjoyed. Before cleaning - over time the natural elements have discoloured the stone. The Marble Man cleaning process maintains the stones integrity. After The Marble Man cleaning processes - restored to it's natural glory! We respect stone and it's quality in your home. The Marble Man - specialist cleaning service - 1300 627 626 - for our free proposal - www.themarbleman.com.au

We have purchased limestone pavers (30mm depth) for the coping and surround around our saltwater pool. In readiness for their laying and sealing, our research on line shows that limestone is an excellent paver for around salt water pools. However, a couple of tile cleaner professionals said the pavers will need to be pretreated with a densifier solution to 'Harden up' the limestone and prevent corrosive salt water from eating away at the limestone over time. Then one coat of sealer. Just 2 coats of sealer will not be enough to counteract the salt water, they say. Why is nothing ever simple? Has anyone got any thoughts or experience on how limestone and saltwater interact? Appreciate any advice.

100sq.m of anything is a whole lot! Whether it be crazy paving, tiles or marble. Make sure that whatever you are laying it on is stable and secure before laying, and allow for expansion joints. The best looking crazy paving is that laid by professional stonemasons, especially if you can source large slabs of stone. The larger the stone the better it looks in a large area as there is less grouting between pavers. If you can't afford a stonemason for 100sq.m of crazy paving then the next best option is the Decor Stone crazy pave which can be laid by a tiler. https://www.decorstone.com.au/products/crazy-paving/ Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls