Travertine is a distinctive stone that adds an elegant and unique touch to places and designs, especially with the charming colors and patterns available, which range in color from white, brown, cream, and red. The wide popularity of travertine is usually attributed to its high ability to resist various weather factors. We at Pietra Marble provide luxurious Turkish travertine to all parts of the world.
What is travertine?
Travertine is known as a type of sedimentary limestone rock, and is mainly composed of calcium carbonate, while travertine is formed as a result of the deposition of calcium carbonate from water filled with minerals, especially in areas surrounded by hot springs and those limestone caves, as these deposits lead to the formation of successive travertine layers, which gives this limestone a distinctive appearance and a variety of patterns and colors as well.
While Turkey is one of the most prominent countries producing and exporting travertine, in addition to its production and export of luxurious types of marble, it also has an extended history of marble production that exceeds 4,000 years, making it one of the largest suppliers of it around the world. Turkey’s marble exports in the first half of 2024 reached about $1.1 billion, 83% of which was exported to China and 14% to America.
Travertine’s distinctive properties
Travertine has many properties that always encourage its use in various construction fields, and in interior and exterior designs in luxury projects, which is why we provide it at Pietra Marble in different quantities and required sizes. Below, we review together the most important of these properties:
- It is characterized by a soft texture that includes natural holes, which makes it always able to give an attractive and unique appearance. This charming natural appearance also adds a warm touch of beauty to the projects and spaces in which it is used.
- It is available in various colors including beige, white, brown, gray and red, which allows it to be coordinated with different styles of decorations and designs in different projects and spaces.
- It has a high ability to resist corrosion and various and harsh weather factors, represented by thermal changes and humidity, which makes it suitable for use in both indoor and outdoor environments.
- Thanks to its unique composition, it is distinguished by its ability to provide thermal and sound insulation with great distinction, which enhances energy efficiency in buildings and reduces noise as well.
- It is easy to clean and maintain as it can be cleaned with water and mild soap, in addition to its ability to resist various scratches and stains, which increases its attractiveness for use on walls and floors.
- Flexible in use as it can be used in various applications including: floors, walls, building facades, kitchens, and sinks.
Best Uses of Travertine
Thanks to its natural beauty and high durability, travertine is the most popular choice in various architectural applications. Below we review the most prominent uses of travertine:
- Using travertine in flooring: Travertine is widely used in flooring, both inside and outside homes, due to its high resistance and the wide variety of sizes and colors. This makes it a great choice for outdoor spaces such as swimming pools, as it provides a natural, non-slip surface, which enhances safety and gives an aesthetic appearance at all times.
- Using travertine in walls and columns: The extensive use of travertine in columns and walls is due to the aesthetic touch it adds, whether when used in exterior or interior designs, thanks to its unique patterns and warm colors available from it.
- Using travertine in building facades: It is used in cladding building facades, as it withstands various weather factors without losing color or quality over time, and it also gives an unparalleled natural and luxurious appearance to various buildings.
- Using Travertine in Gardens and Swimming Pools: Travertine is the ideal choice for landscaping and designing swimming pools, as it is used in building retaining walls, creating walkways, and making pool edges, due to its high resistance to water and its distinctive natural beauty.
- Using Travertine in Interior Decorations: This is represented in its use in designing tabletops, basins, and fireplaces as well, which adds a natural and luxurious touch to the different spaces in the interior decoration, especially since it is easy to maintain and resists heat with distinction.
Tips for choosing the perfect travertine for your project
In order to choose the perfect travertine for your project, the following must be carefully considered:
- Determine the location and use
Choose the polished type when used in interior floors to give the surface a shine and elegance, and use the unpolished type when used in outdoor spaces, as it provides higher and better resistance to slipping. - Choose the appropriate color
Make sure that the chosen color matches the designs in the place, for example, it is preferable to use warm colors in classic designs, while gray and white colors are preferred in modern designs as they give a modern, contemporary look. - Choose the appropriate quality
Ensure that the travertine is free of defects such as cracks or holes, and it is necessary to choose a reliable supplier such as Pietra Marble, to ensure that it is of high quality and suitable sizes. - Surface finishing
Polished travertine gives a charming touch to interior spaces, while unpolished travertine gives a natural touch and a matte appearance, making it suitable for outdoor and heavy uses. - Coordination with the design
Be sure to choose a suitable type and color that is consistent with the rest of the elements in the project, such as walls and furniture. - Consideration of treatment
If the travertine will be used in areas that are exposed to a lot of moisture, it must be ensured that it is treated with a layer of protection against stains and water.
How to care for travertine
Travertine needs special care to maintain its durability and beauty. Below, we at Pietra Marble present to you a set of important guidelines that will help you take care of travertine in the best possible way:
- Regular cleaning: Use acid-free cleaners for stone surfaces, and avoid using acidic cleaners such as lemon juice or vinegar as they may erode the surface. It is necessary to wipe the surface with a soft cloth or a mop dampened with warm water and mild soap, and then dry with a dry cloth.
- Stain protection: Apply a high-quality sealant regularly to travertine, especially in areas that witness heavy traffic. We also advise you to reapply the sealant every 6 months to a year depending on use.
- Periodic maintenance: Wipe surfaces after each use, especially in humid areas such as bathrooms, while ensuring that humid spaces are ventilated to reduce moisture accumulation, and check sealants or the condition of the plaster regularly, with necessary maintenance when needed.
- Protection from scratches: Avoid using any abrasive or sharp tools on the travertine surface, and use carpets or mats in areas that witness high traffic to protect the surface from erosion or stains.
- Dealing with climate changes: If travertine is exposed to direct sunlight, this can cause its color to fade over time, so it is recommended to use sunscreens or curtains to reduce its exposure to direct sunlight.
At the end of our article, we have learned about travertine, and reviewed everything related to its properties and various uses, while you can contact us at Pietra Marble, to request the quantity of travertine you need for your project.
