Travertine 101

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September 17, 2019
Travertine In An Italian Villa
September 17, 2019

What is Travertine?

People often ask the question, is Travertine a natural stone? Yes it is! Travertine, sometimes mistakenly referred to as travertine marble, is all natural! 

It is type of limestone formed on the surface of the earth around mineral hot springs. The minerals suspended in the hot water give the stone its rich, warm color and marble-like patterns.

Imagine the welcoming warmth of an Italian villa, with subdued beige colors, lofty stone columns and beautiful, porous floors. Travertine evokes feelings of leisurely brunches and lush scapes.

Bring your European vacation home by including travertine in your place. Here we will showcase the characteristics that make it so special.

Travertine Formation In Turkey

History of this Natural Stone

Travertine was of great importance to the architects and builders of ancient Greece and Rome.

This versatile stone was used to build temples, aqueducts, baths, roads, and amphitheaters.

Contemporary designers and craftspeople find it very useful for countertops, coffee tables, backsplashes, bathrooms flooring and more both inside and outside the home. 

The largest known construction made entirely out of travertine, and a great testament to its durability, is the Colosseum in Rome, and in Ephesus in Turkey and the Basilique du Sacre Coeur in Paris also serving as wonderful examples.

Travertine Fireplace

Properties of Travertine

The beautifully soft and broad color palette makes travertine very desirable. Subdued, mild tones of beige, tan, grey and off-white elegantly set the background without overwhelming with dramatic effects.

The warmth and elegance of old Europe

Travertineʼs hallmark is the sense of age and prestige of old Europe. Even though the stone is considered a fairly soft material, its durability is unquestionable, given the well-preserved state of so much ancient architecture. The stoneʼs very aesthetic evokes an old, elegant page of a history book, enhanced by characteristic scratches, little cracks, and small holes all throughout its surface. The natural finish, as opposed to a polished one, certainly regales the eye with the traditionally charming small blemishes and chips.

Like most natural stones, travertine retains cold and heat very well, making it ideal for floor coverage. Have you ever felt that delightful sensation of a cold stone against your feet on a hot day? Think along those lines. At the same time, travertine is a great option for in-floor heating systems due to its thermal conductivity properties. Once warm it will radiate heat for a long time.

Suitable for indoor or outdoor use

Travertine is used indoors and outdoors on flooring, walls, bathrooms, fireplaces, pool decks, patios, driveways, and of course, countertops and backsplashes. Its porosity offers a unique advantage: it is the only natural stone that is not slippery when wet, making it a great solution for pool areas and outdoor patios.

Travertine Fireplace

Travertine Care

Being a sedimentary stone, travertine is considered as fairly soft, and thus prone to gradual etching and staining. The same applies for travertine as it does for marble it is best to wipe off the spills as they occur, and only use mild soap and water to clean the surfaces. If you desire to keep your travertine from an early antiqued, weathered look, you have the option to apply a sealer, which vary in properties and consistencies and can be applied every couple of years, depending on the surface usage. A floor, for instance, may need to be sealed more often than pool walls. Please reach out to your fabricator for more detailed information, as it is a preference-based decision.

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