• Address: North Metro, GA 30026 (map)
• Date Posted: 11/06/09

Travertine is a name for a limestone formed under special conditions of deposition. It is classed as a chemical sedimentary rock and is deposited as precipitates in land environments. Travertine is valuable in the dimension stone industry because of its striking textural character. Travertine can be left in its natural state, with no polishing. It is very porous and has a diverse palette of light hues and soft earth tones. Polishing Travertine can be very tricky. Polishing powders tend to accumulate in the holes and make clean-up difficult. Travertine is also very soft and easily worked and has been a favorite building and decretive stone from preclassical times to the present. While void spaces (visible holes) are a distinctive features of travertine, so too is the character of the stone itself. Void spaces are sometimes filled with waterproof materials such as epoxy, especially if used on floors to avoid snagging high heel shoes.
The origin of the name travertine is from the Italian word ‘‘travertino’’ from the ancient roman name Tibur, a town near Rome where travertine forms an extensive deposit that has been worked for many centuries. It was formed around hot springs heated by volcanic activity. As with sedimentary rocks, travertine colors range from light buff through tan to brown and into shades of red, due to varying amounts of iron oxides in the stone. Many rocks are colored by iron staining that leached out of rock units above or laid on top of the travertine or limestone deposits.
Travertine is one of several natural stones that are used for paving patios and garden paths. It is sometimes know as travertine limestone and as travertine marble. It is most commonly available in tile sizes for floor installations. Travertine surfaces may be finished in many ways. It can be polished (shiny), honed (matte), brushed and tumbled (textured surfaces) smooth, filled or unfilled. The type of finish given to the travertine will determine how shiny the surface will be. The most common finish for travertine is honed. The best way to prevent stains is to treat the surface with a protective sealer. The sealer fills in the pores and repels spills on the surface, allowing you time to completely wipe it away. Atlanta Grout and Tile Care Inc. do recommend that you clean your stone with a pH-neutral formula that removes soils while reinforcing the original protective seal to help prevent future staining.
Atlanta Grout and Tile Care Inc. is a member of the Marble Institute of America and is certified in the care, maintenance and restoration of tile and stone.
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