Since the Middle Ages, travertine stone has been an important building material. An enormous castle in Burghausen, Germany, is 1000 years old was built mainly with travertine and still stands today. The name, travertine, was derived from the ancient Roman words lapis tiburtinus, or tibur stone, named after the town of Tibur. Eventually, the name was corrupted to travertine.
In subsequent times, until approximately 10 years ago, Tivoli, Italy was the primary location for deposits of travertine used for building purposes. Today, travertine is shipped from various deposits around the world. Some of these deposits can be found in Mexico, Peru, Guatemala and Afghanistan, among others. Travertine is now commercially produced in a few western United States locations.
Travertine is formed in underground springs, streams and rivers. These sources of water have been subjected to the extreme changes in temperature that are necessary in the formation of travertine. In its natural state travertine is a porous but dense sedimentary rock. Carbonate minerals such as aragonite, formed when the water is hot, and calcite, formed when the water is cooler, solidify into calcium carbonate when the water permeates limestone.
Carbonates produce a gas that is caught in the formation of stone and leaves the porous texture within the deposits of travertine. Calcium is also the reason that, in its purest form, travertine is a distinctive white. Impurities in the water such as iron carbonate and organic contamination give travertine deposits a variety of colors ranging from ivory white to chocolate brown, including hues of red from the iron carbonate intrusion.
Travertine is never an even color throughout. The beauty of the stone comes from the veins of color that are formed by the impurities as the water slowly moves through the initial layers of limestone.
Due to its density, travertine is sometimes known as travertine marble. But travertine is properly classified as a type of limestone. It is because of its density and charm that travertine is considered an excellent building material. Well known architects have included travertine in the materials of the buildings they have designed, using the versatile stone inside and outside the buildings.
Travertine is used in landscaping, patios and paving projects, as well as on interior and exterior walls. However, the majority of the travertine used in the building industry is tile flooring. Other uses include kitchen backsplashes, bathtub and shower stalls, benches and countertops. Items such as custom sinks, handcrafted mosaic accents, switch plates, towel rings and soap trays are among the many things crafted of travertine.
Travertine tiles for flooring are produced as tumbled, chiseled and brushed and as honed and filled. The tumbling process softens the edges and corners and retains the pores of the stone. The pores are usually filled with the color of grout that the customer requires to compliment the color of the natural tile and the area in which the tile is to be installed.
Chiseled and brushed tiles are among the most popular travertine tiles. These tiles offer a cool, natural feel along with a classic look.
Most of the natural pores of the honed and filled tiles have already been filled during production and have a satiny finish. They also require the least amount of maintenance.
Little Rock Travertine Tile
In subsequent times, until approximately 10 years ago, Tivoli, Italy was the primary location for deposits of travertine used for building purposes. Today, travertine is shipped from various deposits around the world. Some of these deposits can be found in Mexico, Peru, Guatemala and Afghanistan, among others. Travertine is now commercially produced in a few western United States locations.
Travertine is formed in underground springs, streams and rivers. These sources of water have been subjected to the extreme changes in temperature that are necessary in the formation of travertine. In its natural state travertine is a porous but dense sedimentary rock. Carbonate minerals such as aragonite, formed when the water is hot, and calcite, formed when the water is cooler, solidify into calcium carbonate when the water permeates limestone.
Carbonates produce a gas that is caught in the formation of stone and leaves the porous texture within the deposits of travertine. Calcium is also the reason that, in its purest form, travertine is a distinctive white. Impurities in the water such as iron carbonate and organic contamination give travertine deposits a variety of colors ranging from ivory white to chocolate brown, including hues of red from the iron carbonate intrusion.
Travertine is never an even color throughout. The beauty of the stone comes from the veins of color that are formed by the impurities as the water slowly moves through the initial layers of limestone.
Due to its density, travertine is sometimes known as travertine marble. But travertine is properly classified as a type of limestone. It is because of its density and charm that travertine is considered an excellent building material. Well known architects have included travertine in the materials of the buildings they have designed, using the versatile stone inside and outside the buildings.
Travertine is used in landscaping, patios and paving projects, as well as on interior and exterior walls. However, the majority of the travertine used in the building industry is tile flooring. Other uses include kitchen backsplashes, bathtub and shower stalls, benches and countertops. Items such as custom sinks, handcrafted mosaic accents, switch plates, towel rings and soap trays are among the many things crafted of travertine.
Travertine tiles for flooring are produced as tumbled, chiseled and brushed and as honed and filled. The tumbling process softens the edges and corners and retains the pores of the stone. The pores are usually filled with the color of grout that the customer requires to compliment the color of the natural tile and the area in which the tile is to be installed.
Chiseled and brushed tiles are among the most popular travertine tiles. These tiles offer a cool, natural feel along with a classic look.
Most of the natural pores of the honed and filled tiles have already been filled during production and have a satiny finish. They also require the least amount of maintenance.
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