Travertine Tile Source

Travertine tile is probably the most popular stone used in the construction industry today. Actually it has been used for centuries. This type of stone is formed when limestone or calcium carbonate is dissolved by moving water and then deposited on the earth’s crust by rivers, springs or geysers. It is naturally porous with visible holes and troughs throughout. Iron deposits and other organic impurities cause the stone to have a wide array of natural colors and patterns. These deposits can also cause a veining or marbling effect.

Colors range from natural or almost white to black with every variation of the rainbow in between. Veining can be a very slight difference in color to very well defined lines. Once mined, the stone is subjected to tumbling or grinding to achieve various travertine tile designs. Tile is sold filled, unfilled, honed, tumbled and brushed, or polished.

Filling diminishes the tile’s porous appearance. Honing or grinding produces a smooth, silky, matted surface that is not shiny. This texture is desired in areas that are exposed to water such as kitchens and bathrooms. Brushed and tumbled stone has a textured or 3D effect. Highly polished travertine is shiny or glossy. Marble is made when limestone has been subjected to intense heat and pressure, giving the stone its traditional glossy appearance. Once machined, the tile is then cut into various sizes and shapes for consumer use.

Mosaic travertine tile designs can be cut as small as 1 inch up to 4.8 inch squares. The tiles can be purchased individually or inlayed in groups onto a mesh screen. Monochrome patterns or multi-colored pictures are then produced. Brick patterned meshes have same sized tile layered in a traditional brick formation. Herringbone and hexagonal patterns are achieved in the same manner. Irregular patterned or random strip designs are made by incorporating various sizes of tile into layered formations. Split face 3D and Cubic 3D patterns are similar as various shapes of tile are layered, but all maintain unpolished raised textures.

Larger slabs of tile are cut and used on walkways, patios, or to construct buildings. Edges can be sharply square or have a grinding technique applied which produces a softened, rounded appearance giving the tile a naturally worn look.

Decorative medallions are elaborate travertine tile designs that are pieced together using different tile colors and shapes to form a specific picture or geometric pattern. They can be rounded or square. Various sizes and patterns are manufactured depending on a customer’s request.

Because of travertine tile’s naturally porous surface, tiles need to be sealed for protection. Caution must also be taken not to expose them to acid. Spilling orange juice or ketchup can not only damage the tile’s surface, but the color will cause permanent staining.

More Travertine Tile Info

• Tumbled Travertine Tile
• Travertine Tile Installation
• Travertine Cleaning

Tags: honed travertine, polished travertine tiles, travertine tile, travertine tile designs, travertine tile styles, tumbled travertine

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 4:05 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.