…What is Travertine?

Simply put, travertine is a kind of stone.

In its natural state, it is a sedimentary rock, dense yet very porous, comprised of carbonate minerals such as aragonite and calcite, the residue left behind by the calcium bicarbonate in mineral water, which solidifies into calcium carbonate deposits.

When you look at unpolished, untreated or “raw” travertine you’ll see it’s very porous, almost as if soda fizz had been trapped in stone. It looks that way because that’s exactly what it is. Carbonated water permeated limestone, and then with a change of temperature and a release of carbon gas, the bubbles crystallized.

Since travertine is part of the limestone family (and marble is also a highly pressurized version of limestone converted to granite), sometimes travertine is referred to as Travertine Marble, although in fact not marble at all.

Where Does Travertine Come From?

Travertine deposits are primarily found in Tivoli, Italy.

Ancient Romans mined the region of Tivoli, then known as Tibur, and the stone was called lapis tiburtinus or tibur stone. Over time the name was altered to travertine. Italy monopolized the travertine market up until about 10 years ago, now travertine is exported from deposits in Afghanistan, Turkey, Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru.

Some Famous Buildings Made of Travertine

Travertine has been utilized in home construction since the middle ages, but the most famous edifice ever to be constructed almost entirely from travertine is the Roman Coliseum. The Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris, the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the lobby of the Willis Tower in Chicago, the first floor of the UCLA Medical Center (designed by the famous architect Welton Becket who uses travertine wall tiles in nearly all his designs)are examples of the extensive use of travertine in modern construction.

Travertine Tile Color

Pure travertine rock is naturally white. Due to organic contamination during its formation, it can take on a yellow or brown tone. Refined travertine tile comes in a variety of colors, from ivory white, tan, creamy beige and grey to rosy coral reds, auburn, deep chocolate, walnut and gold (which occurs when there is iron in the stone). Cutting travertine and laying travertine tile or wall tiles correctly can enhance the pronounced grain or veins so as to create a pattern that is unique for every area in which it is used.

Follow the series of articles here at Buy Travertine Tile which will include some lists of products, where to buy the best travertine, as well as helpful tips on travertine tile care and cleaning so it lasts a s long as the coliseum!

Some of the most popular styles and colors in travertine wall tiles are as follows:

• Noce*, with its soft brown tones. However if this tile is not dark enough you can apply a natural stone enhancer to bring out the richer colors.
• Cashmere, which is a cool ivory with warmer beige flecks, goes well mixed with Noce. These two travertine tiles combined in a pattern create a neutral background for adding other accent colors, and is one reason why they are so often installed in the two most used areas of the home, the bathroom and the kitchen. Tumbled Noce tiles also compliment other countertops including the popular granite counters that match nicely.
• For something more colorful, but still earthy (and finished with the tumbled effect) try the Sienna travertine tile to bring out the Mediterranean sun in your home.
• For a smoother finish and less pitted surface, with a light feminine beige background and subtle hints of rosy veins, try installing the Antique Beige travertine tile.

Another option for tile finishes that work well with shower designs and rustic modern kitchens, and is not polished like marble, is the chiseled or brushed travertine, which has rougher edges and is the most natural tile available.

• One pattern to keep in mind is called Versaille. It has an elegant, expensive look while maintaining rustic appeal.

Honed travertine, which has had its ridges and toughs filled, is the tile requiring the least amount of care. This is because of the rigorous post mining and pre installation treatment this stone has undergone to prepare for your kitchen or bath. Most of the small bubbles that cause the pitted look in natural travertine have been filled and ground away by honing, and therefore a glossy polished finish is possible.

Some easy to remember names in this category are: *Coliseum, Durango Cream and Tuscany Gold. Their names are reflective of what they look like.

*Just for comparison purposes, the price of the super polished Coliseum floor tile is between 5.75 and 6.99 per square foot and natural tumbled Noce is between 4.99 and 6.99 per square foot.