What is travertine?
Travertine is a type of limestone - a sedimentary rock formed when calcium carbonate minerals precipitate from springs, rivers, and lakes. It can be found in hundreds of locations around the world. Travertine is a building material often used in construction, such as in the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris and the Colosseum in Rome which is almost entirely built of travertine. Due to its high porosity, it is light in weight for its strength, provides good thermal and acoustic insulation, and is relatively easy to work. When polished, travertine is also an excellent decorative stone.
Why choose travertine material?
- Travertine is known for its timeless beauty: Coloration and patterns on this material are tone-on-tone, making it more understated than other popular stones. It can also be polished to a smooth and shiny finish. It comes in a variety of warm neutral colours including ivory, gold, beige, brown, rust, and peach.
- It is very durable: It stands up well to foot traffic and isn't likely to crack. The scratches on travertine are less noticeable on honed or tumbled stones than on polished ones.
- Affordability: While natural stone of any type isn’t the least expensive material, as a general rule, travertine costs less than granite or marble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does travertine always need to be sealed?
If travertine is sealed, it will be more resistant to staining and etching. The polished finish of travertine is pretty stain-proof, but you might need a polishing protector afterward.
Where does travertine come from?
Travertine is derived from the Italian travertino, itself derived from the Latin tiburtinus, meaning 'of Tibur,' now known as Tivoli near Rome, where the travertine has been mined for at least two thousand years. In modern architecture, travertine is one of the most commonly used stones. Generally, it is used for indoor flooring, outdoor patio flooring, spa walls and ceilings, façades, and now furniture.
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