I. What is Travertine?
Travertine, is a porous rock, which is why it is commonly referred to as "travertine". It is a type of porous rock and is commercially classified as a marble.
Travertine belongs to the continental sedimentary rock category and is a deposit of calcium carbonate. During the process of deposition and accumulation, pores often form. Additionally, since its primary component is calcium carbonate, it is easily dissolved and corroded by water, resulting in many natural, irregular pores in these deposits.
II. Characteristics of Travertine
- Appearance: The surface features many natural, irregular pores, which is the origin of its name. Its tones are predominantly beige, but it also comes in various colors, such as green, white, purple, pink, and coffee brown, etc.
Golden Travertine
- Physical Properties: Low density, fine texture, low hardness, easy to mine and process, lightweight, and easy to transport. It also exhibits good workability, sound insulation, and thermal insulation properties.
- Decorative Qualities: Rich colors and unique textures provide excellent decorative performance, adding a natural, rustic, and elegant atmosphere to buildings and indoor spaces.
Generally, it is divided into white travertine and beige travertine. It can also be classified by origin, such as Italy beige travertine (Roman travertine), Iranian travertine, and travertine from Turkey and other regions.
Italy beige travertine has a darker color, more pronounced texture, and superior material quality. Iranian travertine has a lighter color, looser texture, and lower strength.
3. Flooring: Its unique appearance and texture add a natural and aesthetically pleasing effect to the floors.
4. Carving and Special-Shaped Materials: With its fine texture and low hardness, it is easy to carve, making it suitable for various sculptures and special-shaped components.
6. Furniture: Can be used for dining tables, coffee tables, etc., complementing wabi-sabi or creamy styles to create a natural and sophisticated look. Travertine furniture has become a major trend in recent years, with more and more clients choosing travertine for furniture or combining it with wood to create functional pieces like dressing tables, integrated sinks, and sideboards. The combination of travertine and wood further enhances its value. This year, we have collaborated with numerous interior design firms, where many designers are exploring innovative combinations of travertine and wood to create unique, sophisticated, and highly customized styles
Advantages and Disadvantages of Travertine
Advantages:
- Uniform rock properties, easy to mine and process.
- High adaptability for processing, can be processed in various forms.
- Excellent decorative performance, enhancing the aesthetics and quality of spaces.
- Good sound and thermal insulation, improving living comfort.
Disadvantages:
- Numerous pores result in low bulk density, high water absorption, and reduced strength, with physical performance indicators lower than standard marble.
- Poor freeze-thaw resistance, prone to damage in cold regions or after repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Poor weather resistance, susceptible to fading, cracking, and other issues under harsh conditions like acid rain erosion, wind, and sun exposure.
- Low strength makes it prone to breakage during handling and installation, posing certain safety risks.
Maintenance and Care of Travertine
Cleaning:
- Start with a vacuum cleaner to remove debris, dust, etc., from the surface.
- Dilute a natural stone cleaner with warm water and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid using undiluted cleaner to prevent discoloration of the stone.
- After cleaning, allow the travertine to air dry naturally in sunny areas. In other areas, manually dry it to prevent water droplets and stains from lingering.
Protection:
When used outdoors, select appropriate bonding materials to fill the pores, and apply suitable protective agents to enhance its weather resistance and anti-pollution capabilities.