In our previous blog we shared our experiences from the Cersaie fair in 2023, where Travertine was a hot topic. But what exactly is Travertine?

The history of Travertine goes back centuries. It has been used as a building material for some of the most iconic buildings in the world, such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Sacré-Cœur in Paris. These stones have stood the test of time and show how durable travertine can be.

Travertine is a type of limestone that is formed when lime precipitates from water saturated with calcium carbonate. What makes this material really special is that twigs, leaves and other organic material that falls into the water and later decomposes create Travertine's characteristic irregular pores. These small openings give the tiles a unique texture and appearance. They create a playful and organic pattern that varies from tile to tile. This means that no two Travertine tiles will be exactly the same. In terms of color, Travertine can range from soft, warm tones such as light beige and cream to deeper, earthy colors such as brown and gray.

It is often used for floors, windowsills and stairs. It can give a room a timeless look and create a sense of elegance. The great thing about Travertine is that it is still very popular and has made a real comeback. However, it is important to know that Travertine, due to its open structure, is not ideal for outdoor use in our Dutch climate. It can be sensitive to frost, which can damage the stones. That is why it is usually used indoors.

Some Travertine tiles are processed in the factory to fill the characteristic holes and then they are often given a smooth finish. This gives the tiles a sleek and modern appearance. On the other hand, untreated Travertine tiles retain their natural appearance, with the pores often being filled with grout during grouting.

We have several Travertine tiles in our collection readily available.