Frequently Asked Questions About Travertine
What is Travertine?
Travertine (Pronounced Trav-er-teen) is a natural stone material that is also called: Onyx Marble, Mexican Marble, Egyptian Alabaster, Travertine Marble (marble is a close cousin), Travertine Limestone (limestone is a close cousin), and Oriental Alabaster. Travertine is generally developed from thousands of years of mineral deposits from natural springs (especially hot springs.) Many of the veins and colors in Travertine come from various iron compounds or other organic "impurities." This material can range in colors from Whites to Creams, Yellows to Oranges to Reds, Grays, and Dark Browns. Travertine has various craters and depressions (ie pits and holes) during its development which can be filled with grout after installation.This material is quarried all over the world, but the main countries that distribute Travertine are Turkey, Mexico, Italy, China, India, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, and Greece. We import almost all our stone directly from Turkey. This material can come in several different finishes such as: Honed, Polished, Chiseled, Filled, Unfilled, Tumbled, Straight Edged, and also Brushed. You can also grind and sand down the material like you would a wood floor to get finished edges.
Travertine (Pronounced Trav-er-teen) is a natural stone material that is also called: Onyx Marble, Mexican Marble, Egyptian Alabaster, Travertine Marble (marble is a close cousin), Travertine Limestone (limestone is a close cousin), and Oriental Alabaster. Travertine is generally developed from thousands of years of mineral deposits from natural springs (especially hot springs.) Many of the veins and colors in Travertine come from various iron compounds or other organic "impurities." This material can range in colors from Whites to Creams, Yellows to Oranges to Reds, Grays, and Dark Browns. Travertine has various craters and depressions (ie pits and holes) during its development which can be filled with grout after installation.This material is quarried all over the world, but the main countries that distribute Travertine are Turkey, Mexico, Italy, China, India, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, and Greece. We import almost all our stone directly from Turkey. This material can come in several different finishes such as: Honed, Polished, Chiseled, Filled, Unfilled, Tumbled, Straight Edged, and also Brushed. You can also grind and sand down the material like you would a wood floor to get finished edges.
How do I care for Travertine?
Routine maintentance of travertine is simply regular washing using pH neutral detergents like a weak solution of clear dish soap/ non-oil based solution/detergent and warm water. We recommend vacuuming the Travertine on the floor or sweeping on a weekly basis to minimize the build up of sand particle and grit, which combined with people walking on the surface can damage and scrape the tile. We also recommend dust mopping and protecting the floors with Damp mops can leave residues on the surface of the tile, and so the mop needs to be cleaned and dried before use on Travertine. We also recommend for tile in general to mop with clean water after cleaning with detergent. If water marks develop, they can be buffed out with a dry towel.
Acid based liquids such as wine and fruit juices rich in vitamin C can score the surface of Traverinte if left ot stand after spilling. In such cases rub the area with a fine grade sandpaper and then reseal that spot. That same concept can be applied to large scratches and scuffs. Do not use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on natural stone. Don't use cleaners that contain acids like bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, and tub & shower cleaners. Don't use abrasive cleaners such as Soft Scrub or any dry cleaners like Ajax.
Periodically, every two to five years with normal daily use, travertine should be resealed. Damp or wet areas like shower and tub areas should have a squeegee used on the walls daily and should be resealed more frequently than other areas. Resealing clean travertine is extremely easy, and requires no more skill than being able to wipe a cloth or roll a paint roller dampened with sealer across the material and left to dry. Please follow all manufacturer inscructions on sealing products and use in a well ventilated area. Please also make sure that the type of sealer provides the finish that you desire whether it is matte or enhanced by testing sample pieces or a small corner of your material that is less noticable.
Routine maintentance of travertine is simply regular washing using pH neutral detergents like a weak solution of clear dish soap/ non-oil based solution/detergent and warm water. We recommend vacuuming the Travertine on the floor or sweeping on a weekly basis to minimize the build up of sand particle and grit, which combined with people walking on the surface can damage and scrape the tile. We also recommend dust mopping and protecting the floors with Damp mops can leave residues on the surface of the tile, and so the mop needs to be cleaned and dried before use on Travertine. We also recommend for tile in general to mop with clean water after cleaning with detergent. If water marks develop, they can be buffed out with a dry towel.
Acid based liquids such as wine and fruit juices rich in vitamin C can score the surface of Traverinte if left ot stand after spilling. In such cases rub the area with a fine grade sandpaper and then reseal that spot. That same concept can be applied to large scratches and scuffs. Do not use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on natural stone. Don't use cleaners that contain acids like bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, and tub & shower cleaners. Don't use abrasive cleaners such as Soft Scrub or any dry cleaners like Ajax.
Periodically, every two to five years with normal daily use, travertine should be resealed. Damp or wet areas like shower and tub areas should have a squeegee used on the walls daily and should be resealed more frequently than other areas. Resealing clean travertine is extremely easy, and requires no more skill than being able to wipe a cloth or roll a paint roller dampened with sealer across the material and left to dry. Please follow all manufacturer inscructions on sealing products and use in a well ventilated area. Please also make sure that the type of sealer provides the finish that you desire whether it is matte or enhanced by testing sample pieces or a small corner of your material that is less noticable.
How durable is Travertine?
Being a stone, travertine is more hard wearing than most floor materials but is still susceptible to damage if not treated correctly. Travertine has been used for many buildings since ancient times and is still used as exterior and interior material for many modern buidlings and homes. It is also usable as a paver in patios and gardens. Travertine is also a favorite for fireplaces, tabletops, and countertops.
Being a stone, travertine is more hard wearing than most floor materials but is still susceptible to damage if not treated correctly. Travertine has been used for many buildings since ancient times and is still used as exterior and interior material for many modern buidlings and homes. It is also usable as a paver in patios and gardens. Travertine is also a favorite for fireplaces, tabletops, and countertops.
How can you tell what the quality is of a Travertine?
Travertine is divided into five visual classifications. As with other natural stone proucts such as diamonds and precious stones, the value of travertine is based on the visual appeal, availability, and rare qualities of the stone.
Stone with a commercial rating are divided into two categories- we will call them A and B.
A "B" Quality of commercial stone does not have calibration (surface finish) and sizing is not within acceptable standards. In addition- the surface finish may be extremely inconsistent, and may contain saw marks. Fill holes can be moderate to very large and color variation may be inconsisitent.
An "A" Quality commercial stone may include a broad or unique color range, unusual mineral deposits and/or a moderate to large amount and size of fill. Class "A" commercial tiles will be of uniform thickness, squareness, and size, but may have some variation in finish and fill color.
Classic Quality tile will be of a consistent size to allow 1/8" joint or less. Classic Travertine will have a moderate amount and size of fill. Classic tiles are sorted within a defined color range with minimal mineral deposits.
First Quality Travertine tile is sorted to have minimal to moderate fill and color variations within a defined range. First quality tiles have virtually no unusual mineral deposits and they are precision sized for 1/8" or less grout joints and ease of installtion.
Premium Quality Travertine is so designated because of its rare qualities. This means that there are very few and/ or very small fill holes. The color range is well define. The factory finish is of the highest quality. When placed next to other qualities of travertine these qualities are easily discerned. Precision sized for 1/8 or less grout joint.
**Please note that most of our travertine will range in quality from "A" Quality up to Premium Quality**
Why does Travertine vary so much in price?
Travertine is divided into five visual classifications. As with other natural stone proucts such as diamonds and precious stones, the value of travertine is based on the visual appeal, availability, and rare qualities of the stone.
Stone with a commercial rating are divided into two categories- we will call them A and B.
A "B" Quality of commercial stone does not have calibration (surface finish) and sizing is not within acceptable standards. In addition- the surface finish may be extremely inconsistent, and may contain saw marks. Fill holes can be moderate to very large and color variation may be inconsisitent.
An "A" Quality commercial stone may include a broad or unique color range, unusual mineral deposits and/or a moderate to large amount and size of fill. Class "A" commercial tiles will be of uniform thickness, squareness, and size, but may have some variation in finish and fill color.
Classic Quality tile will be of a consistent size to allow 1/8" joint or less. Classic Travertine will have a moderate amount and size of fill. Classic tiles are sorted within a defined color range with minimal mineral deposits.
First Quality Travertine tile is sorted to have minimal to moderate fill and color variations within a defined range. First quality tiles have virtually no unusual mineral deposits and they are precision sized for 1/8" or less grout joints and ease of installtion.
Premium Quality Travertine is so designated because of its rare qualities. This means that there are very few and/ or very small fill holes. The color range is well define. The factory finish is of the highest quality. When placed next to other qualities of travertine these qualities are easily discerned. Precision sized for 1/8 or less grout joint.
**Please note that most of our travertine will range in quality from "A" Quality up to Premium Quality**
Why does Travertine vary so much in price?
Pricing varies mostly on its visual appeal, availibility, and rare qualities. This can range anywhere from the quality of the stone to the color. For example, our Travertine with more holes and fill will generally cost much less than our Travertine that has less holes and fill. Silver Travertine will be much more expensive and less available due to the rare color scheme. Our Turko is much more common in color and has much more fill and will be more economical in price. The pricing can also vary depending on the finish(es). It is much more expensive to get a large piece of tumbled Travertine because it is more labor intensive to produce.
How do I install Travertine?
To see the bottom section on our Patterns and Installation page click here.
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