What is Travertine?

Travertine is a naturally-occurring sedimentary rock that features holes as a result of carbon dioxide escaping from the stone. Turkey and Italy, with rich deposits of travertine, are among the world's leading producers and exporters.

As these stones are formed via sedimentation in many hot springs and limestone caves, travertine is considered an ideal construction and decorative material for swimming pools. Grading the quality of travertine stones is determined by the amount of holes present in a slab. Travertine stones with fewer holes are considered premium grade.

Travertine tiles with many holes can be filled with a special material to make it look more attractive. However, because fillings are easily distinguishable given their uniform color, they're considered to be of lesser value compared to premium-grade travertine.

In addition to outdoor areas such as pool decks and patios, travertine is also used as decorative tiles for flooring and walls. Generally, tiles used for indoor cladding are of a higher grade and are cut more thinly than those used to pave outdoor features.

Although travertine has a natural color, it appears in various shades such as ivory and beige. These shades come in different tones, ranging from almost white to dark tones.

The Not-So-Trivial Rock: Travertine in Focus

The hot springs isn't just a place to relax and let your hair down; in its depths, you may find significant deposits of a form of limestone known as travertine. Through the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, travertine is born often at the mouth of a hot spring or cave teeming with limestones. This sedimentary rock comes in hues of white, tan, and cream and has made a name for itself as an excellent building material.

Aside from its role in the creation of various building materials such as tiles, travertine has been known to form in stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations that can be some of a cave's most prominent features. It's distinctly porous thanks to the organisms that colonize the surface of this precious mineral.

The Romans were said to be the first ones who saw travertine's potential to be a good component for the construction of various structures. In fact, the Roman Colosseum, touted as one of the largest buildings in the world, is made up mostly of travertine. Centuries later, travertine is still a widely-used building material and has paved the way for many renowned buildings to be erected such as the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Paris, and the Shell-Haus in Berlin.

Good Things Travertine Pavers Bring

A swimming pool in the backyard is already appealing as it is. It's an effective crowd-drawer especially during summer gatherings and other occasions where the pool becomes a venue of entertainment in the home. If this is the case, It's only fitting to jazz up this area a bit to add more charm. One way to make the pool pop as a major outdoor feature is with travertine pavers.

Why go for natural stone designs as pool and patio covers? First, natural pavers enhance the whole look of the pool area. Unlike cement or brick, travertine has a unique trait that makes it flexible to the design tastes of any homeowner. These natural stones come in various shapes and shades and can complement virtually every furniture and fixture placed around the pool.

The second reason travertine is a good thing is the safety its texture offers. As these are typically porous, travertine absorbs more water than any material, making slipping accidents less likely. Travertine pavers are especially ideal for nuclear families.

Third, upkeep of travertine pavers is a breeze. With only soap and water or mild cleaning solutions, water marks and dirt can be taken off paver surfaces with only a few strokes and minutes.