What is Travertine?

The rock travertine is a natural chemical precipitate of carbonate minerals; typically aragonite, but often recrystallized to or primary calcite; which is deposited from the water of mineral springs (especially hot springs) or streams saturated with calcium carbonate. When pure, travertine is white, but often is brown to yellow due to impurities. When carbon dioxide-rich water percolates through rocks in limestone areas, the water dissolves the limestone and becomes saturated with it. When the water resurfaces later, the sudden drop in pressure and the change in temperature cause the water to release the carbon dioxide gas, much like fizzy drinks. The calcium carbonate then re-crystallizes. The resulting rock is typically quite porous with numerous cavities. When exceptionally porous it is known as calcareous tufa.

Extensive deposits exist at Tivoli, Italy, near Rome. In fact, travertine derives its name from this town. Tivoli was known as Tibur in ancient Roman times. The ancient name for the stone was lapis tiburtinus meaning tibur stone, which has been corrupted to travertine.

Travertine has formed 16 huge, natural dams in a valley in Croatia known as Plitvice National Park. The Travertine clings to moss and rocks in the water, and has built up over the past 2000 years to form waterfalls up to 70 m in height.

The largest building in the world constructed largely of travertine is the Colosseum in Rome.
Another notable building using travertine extensively is the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California. The travertine used in the construction was imported from Tivoli. The stone is most widely used in Italy, Greece and Turkey.

Travertine is one of several natural stones that are used for paving patios and garden paths. It is sometimes known as travertine limestone, sometimes as travertine marble; these are the same stone, even though it is neither limestone nor marble. The stone is characterized by pitted holes and troughs in its surface. Although these troughs occur naturally, they suggest to some eyes that
considerable wear and tear has occurred over many years. Some installers use a grout to fill these holes, whereas others leave them open. Travertine can be purchased "filled" or "unfilled." It can be effectively polished to a smooth, shiny finish and comes in a variety of colors from grey to
coral-red. Travertine is most commonly available in tile sizes for floor installations.

Travertine is one of the most frequently used stones in modern architecture, and is commonly seen as facade material, wall cladding, and flooring. Architect Welton Becket was one of the most
frequent users of travertine, incorporating it extensively into many, if not most of his projects. The entire first floor of the Becket-designed UCLA Medical Center has thick travertine walls.

Travertine is a natural stone which is cut from the mountains in Turkey.

The Travertine is cut from the mountain into large blocks and trucked to the factory.

The Travertine blocks are then sorted and moved to the warehouse to be cut.

The Travertine blocks are cut into smaller sizes tiles.

The Travertine tiles are then put through the a machine that provides the appropriate surface.
Honed - The surface is smoothed by abrasives.
Brushed - The surface is brushed to give it an antique look.
Tumbled - The stones are antiquated by a vibration machine to give the stone a smooth surface and round edges.

The Travertine tiles are then put through the a machine that provides the appropriate edge.
Straight Edge - The edges are cut perfectly straight and square.
Chiseled Edge - The edge is chiseled or broken to give the stone an antique look.
Tumbled - The stones are antiquated by a vibration machine to give the stone a smooth surface and round edges.
Beveled Edge -The edges are cut on a slight angle to create a bevel between the stones when installed.

The Travertine tiles are cut down to the appropriate size. Most Travertine is cut to 24”x24”, 18”x18”, 16”x16”, 12”x12”, 6”xx6”, 4”x4”.

The Travertine tiles then go through a selection process and sorted by color and grade. There are three grades of Travertine.
Grade “A” or Premium - Very minimal holes to be filled in the stone.
Grade “B” or Standard - Some fill throughout the stone.
Grade “C” or Commercial - A lot of holes with fill throughout the stone.

The Travertine tiles are then moved to the yard to be placed in the crates for shipping.

This is a picture of the tiles in there final stage before shipping. Each pallet 18x18 tiles contains approximately 342 sq ft. Each pallet of Ashlar Pattern contains approximately 400 sq ft of tile.

The Travertine Process

Questions About Travertine

Is Travertine Slippery?

Ask These Guys.

Travertine can be used indoors or outdoors and it will not be slippery. We recommend using a tumbled or brushed finish outdoors. The honed and filled might be a little slippery if used outside near a pool.

Note: We DO NOT recommend trying this at home, these are trained professionals.

This picture was taken at the Carambola Beach Resort located in St. Croix in the Caribbean Island
http://www.carambolabeach.com
The deck was covered with 16”x16” brushed chiseled edge walnut travertine tile.

Click here for more photos from the Carambola Beach Resort project.