4 Points You Want to Know About Travertine Stone

Travertine stone is a natural stone which is used as indoor and outdoor building material. Travertine is used for countertops, flooring, backsplashes and other decorative purposes. Here are the 4 points about travertine stone.

What is travertine?

Travertine is a sedimentary stone, which means the stone is formed by deposits of minerals and other materials. The sediments are usually formed in ground and surface waters or geothermally heated hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance. And it comes in a variety of color like white, tan, cream-colored. Also, it has even rusty kinds. Travertine is a form of limestone, which is also a sedimentary stone. The sediment of limestone is made up of calcium carbonates such as aragonite and calcite, just like travertine. Most travertine tiles are about half an inch thick, and the surface of a travertine tile can come filled or unfilled. Because travertine is easier to cut and shape than other stones, it has become a favourite for many people. The current distribution of travertine supply is generally between Italy, Turkey, and Mexico. Until the 1980s, Italy was the sole ruler of the world travertine market. Now significant suppliers are quarried in mainly Turkey, Iran, Mexico, and Peru.

What is the grade of travertines?

There are three grades of travertine, premium, standard or commercial. The grade of travertine is based on some properties like pores, cut, and thickness. For example, a travertine with fewer holes has the higher quality. Premium grade, which is called the first grade, has tiny filler. This grade of travertine offers a wide range from black or gray discolorations. It has been entirely cut and has a uniform thickness. None of the premium travertine tiles will have large holes that were filled. The tiles are double filled, first, by machinery and then if there are any holes remained, filled by hand. The edges of the premium tiles are smooth and they have evenly uniform sizes.

Standard grade, known as second grade, has the second largest selection of travertine tile colors. Tiles are double filled like, in the premium grade. In standard grade travertine tiles, there can be large holes. Besides, some holes may be filled through the full thickness of the tile.

Commercial grade or third grade is the third type of travertine grades. There are also large color variations. Edges of commercial grade travertine may be cracked or broken. Filling large voids is acceptable for this grade. Also, the tiles are not hand filled.

Travertine Stone Usage Areas

Travertine is one of the several natural stones which is characterized by pitted holes in its surface. It is often used as a building material. Travertine is used for flooring, countertops, backsplashes, and other surfaces where the tile is preferred. Many historical buildings such as temples, monuments, aqueducts, and amphitheaters are constructed by travertine. The Colosseum, the largest building in the world, constructed mostly of travertine. Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris, Shell-Haus in Berlin, Getty Center in Los Angeles are the other examples of these buildings. Also, travertine is one of the most frequently used stones in modern architecture. It is commonly used for building surfaces, cladding, and flooring. Also, it is used for paving patios and garden paths. Travertine is used both for interior and exterior decoration.

Durability of Travertine Tile Flooring

Travertine, like most of the natural stones, is a very durable stone that is a very resistant material against heavy conditions. It is very hard material, so it is perfect for high traffic areas. Travertine is a very hard material, comparable to marble. The distinctive durability property of travertine is its capability to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations. Because of its this property, it can be used in outdoor. It is frequently used in swimming pools. By the way, filled and sealed travertine will be waterproof and stain proof. But, unfilled travertine can absorb things like fluid due to its porosity.