The Colosseum in Rome was constructed using travertine.
Travertine is a type of limestone composed mainly of aragonite and calcite. It is a sedimentary rock that forms when its elements settle from bodies of water. The most common use for travertine is in home construction and remodeling. It is important to understand how travertine is graded when buying it for use in home decor so you get the grade that is best for what you are planning to do with it. Does this Spark an idea?
First Grade
First-grade travertine is of premium quality. It has smaller and fewer holes than other grades. The holes are filled by machine, then those that were underfilled are filled by hand. Travertine of this grade has fairly consistent coloration, with no discolorations from iron or black minerals. Separate tiles in a pack are matched for coloration as well. The tiles are uniform in size and depth, with smooth, even, well-beveled edges. This grade of travertine is best used for kitchen counters, bathtub veneer, floor tiles and other parts of the home that require durable stone that can withstand fairly heavy traffic and abuse.
Second Grade
Second-grade travertine is also referred to as "standard" grade. It has more, and larger, holes than premium grade. Though the holes are also filled by hand and machine, a few unfilled holes or pores are allowed. Colors remain free of mineralization stains, but the stone may have swirls of variant color here and there. Standard grade also has carefully beveled edges and uniform thickness. Standard-grade stone is used for fireplaces or as wall veneer. Outside, standard grade is used for sidewalks, driveways or pool patios.
Commercial Grade
Third grade is commercial-grade travertine. It is noticeably more porous than the other two grades. Holes are not filled by hand, and pores and small holes that run all the way through the tile are allowed. Edges are not evenly beveled and may vary in thickness or even be chipped. There may be mineral stains in places, and colors in tiles are not matched for color consistency. Commercial travertine is used mostly for wall veneer. The rock is good for use in Northern regions because it is not prone to swell or shrink in changing weather.
Travertine Cuts
Travertine comes in two cuts. When the stone is cut along the grain, it is called vein cut. This cut gives the stone a lined pattern that runs the length of the tile, just as cutting wood with the grain results in a linear pattern. Cutting across the bedding plane, a fleuri cut, gives the stone swirling, circular patterns. The cut makes no difference in the durability of the rock. Both cuts should be sealed to decrease maintenance needs. Whether you like the linear or swirling patterns is a matter of personal design preference.
Tags: filled hand, gives stone, holes than, other grades, standard grade, than other
