Products

What is travertine?

Travertine belongs to the larger family of stone called limestone also known as Calcium Carbonate. Marble is also a type of limestone that has had additional heat and pressure applied to it by the earth’s crust.

Travertine is formed by minerals dissolving in ground water and then being deposited on the earth’s surface by rivers, natural springs, or geysers.

 What does the finished surface of travertine look like?

Travertine can have four major finishes:

  • Polished (Shiny).
  • Honed (Matte).
  • Brushed.
  • Tumbled (textured surfaces).

The type of finish given to the travertine will determine how shiny the surface will be.

The polished and honed surfaces are flat and smooth, while the brushed and tumbled surfaces are flat and textured. The polished surface is the shiniest, while the tumbled surface reflects the least amount of light.

The most common finish for travertine is honed.

Where would I use travertine?

Travertine has been used in the construction of buildings for thousands of year. In today’s construction, travertine is used for flooring, cladding on buildings, showers, baths, wall coverings and counter tops.

What should I consider in using travertine?

Travertine is a natural stone product. Because the minerals that make up travertine are highly reactive with acidic solutions (e.g. orange juice, vinegar), a major consideration is where the travertine will be installed and what it will be exposed to.

Sealers will provide some protection to the stone no matter what the environment, but knowing what it will be exposed to will help you decide whether travertine is a good fit for your project.

Mexican travertine vs others.

What I do know is that Durango stone is indeed a travertine (from Mexico). Because of the way travertine (any travertine) was formed, it’s one of the most consistent stones available. Of course there are differences between travertine coming from different corners of our blessed planet, but they are minimal and marginal.