Travertine tile is an attractive and charming selection of floor covering in a new home or remodeling project. Travertine is natural stone that is durable for all kinds of foot traffic and stays comfortable and cool underfoot.
Cool underground sources of water are subjected to geothermal heat. Calcite is formed in the cooler water, and when the water is heated aragonite is formed. When limestone is saturated with the mineral rich water from the underground springs and rivers the calcite and aragonite solidify into calcium carbonate. Travertine stone is the result of this process.
Travertine is a dense stone characterized by pockets and pores that are caused when carbonate gases are trapped in the stone during its formation. Over time the gases are released and leave a unique texture throughout the deposit of travertine stone.
If impurities in the water were not available, travertine would be the distinctive white of calcium. However, since natural water sources are rarely pure, contaminates in the underground water such as organic particulates, clay and iron carbonates cause the beautiful variety of colors of travertine stone. The colors range from creamy whites and light grays to hues of chocolate, including the reds, oranges and yellows derived from the iron carbonates. Veins of color are created when impurities are trapped in greater amounts as the water moves through the limestone.
Historically, travertine stone has been used in the building industry for hundreds of years. The Romans used it to build the Coliseum. In fact the name, travertine, evolved from the name of the ancient Roman city of Tibur. The Romans named the stone lapis tiburtinus, translated, Tibur stone. To attest to the durability of travertine, there is a 1000 year old building in Burghaussen, Germany, that was built mainly of travertine stone.
Travertine is sometimes referred to as travertine marble. Although travertine is a dense material and has veins of color, resembling marble, travertine is classified as a type of limestone.
The density and beauty of this stone lends itself to any area inside and outside of the home. It has been used for landscaping and for paving patio and pool projects. Architects have designed famous buildings using travertine on the interior and exterior walls. Travertine can be handcrafted into decorative accents that include bathroom sinks, towel racks, soap dishes and vanity items. But the bulk of the stone shipped from travertine deposits is processed into flooring tiles.
Tumbled travertine tiles retain the rustic look of the stone with all its pits and pores, and have rounded edges and corners. The pits and pores are usually filled with grout that is a complimentary color to the tile and the area in which it is to be installed.
Chiseled and brushed travertine tiles have been further processed but retain some of the pits and pores to be filled with grout as the customer requires. The cool, comfortable feel and classic look of these tiles make them among the most popular of travertine tiles.
During production of honed and filled travertine tiles the pits and pores are filled in and the stone is finished to a satiny surface. These tiles are usually installed in kitchens and in bathrooms and showers, but can be used in any area where the look and durability of travertine stone is an asset.
Birmingham Travertine Tile
Cool underground sources of water are subjected to geothermal heat. Calcite is formed in the cooler water, and when the water is heated aragonite is formed. When limestone is saturated with the mineral rich water from the underground springs and rivers the calcite and aragonite solidify into calcium carbonate. Travertine stone is the result of this process.
Travertine is a dense stone characterized by pockets and pores that are caused when carbonate gases are trapped in the stone during its formation. Over time the gases are released and leave a unique texture throughout the deposit of travertine stone.
If impurities in the water were not available, travertine would be the distinctive white of calcium. However, since natural water sources are rarely pure, contaminates in the underground water such as organic particulates, clay and iron carbonates cause the beautiful variety of colors of travertine stone. The colors range from creamy whites and light grays to hues of chocolate, including the reds, oranges and yellows derived from the iron carbonates. Veins of color are created when impurities are trapped in greater amounts as the water moves through the limestone.
Historically, travertine stone has been used in the building industry for hundreds of years. The Romans used it to build the Coliseum. In fact the name, travertine, evolved from the name of the ancient Roman city of Tibur. The Romans named the stone lapis tiburtinus, translated, Tibur stone. To attest to the durability of travertine, there is a 1000 year old building in Burghaussen, Germany, that was built mainly of travertine stone.
Travertine is sometimes referred to as travertine marble. Although travertine is a dense material and has veins of color, resembling marble, travertine is classified as a type of limestone.
The density and beauty of this stone lends itself to any area inside and outside of the home. It has been used for landscaping and for paving patio and pool projects. Architects have designed famous buildings using travertine on the interior and exterior walls. Travertine can be handcrafted into decorative accents that include bathroom sinks, towel racks, soap dishes and vanity items. But the bulk of the stone shipped from travertine deposits is processed into flooring tiles.
Tumbled travertine tiles retain the rustic look of the stone with all its pits and pores, and have rounded edges and corners. The pits and pores are usually filled with grout that is a complimentary color to the tile and the area in which it is to be installed.
Chiseled and brushed travertine tiles have been further processed but retain some of the pits and pores to be filled with grout as the customer requires. The cool, comfortable feel and classic look of these tiles make them among the most popular of travertine tiles.
During production of honed and filled travertine tiles the pits and pores are filled in and the stone is finished to a satiny surface. These tiles are usually installed in kitchens and in bathrooms and showers, but can be used in any area where the look and durability of travertine stone is an asset.
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