A Roman Building Block

Travertine is a sedimentary rock. When pure, travertine is quite white, but usually it at least partially patterned and colored in shades from light yellows to browns, from impurities in the stone. Travertine is also full of pits. These can be left or filled with a sutiable color-matched putty.

Travertine is typically formed from mineral deposits (usually calcite) in mineral springs or hot springs, or streams saturated with calcium carbonate. When it is very porous, Travertine is known as calcarious ‘tuff’.

All travertine is highly porous – a tablespoon of water on a travertine surface will be absorbed in seconds, although it does vary in porosity from piece to piece. Porosity is also affected by its finish – highly polished travertine with all the holes filled is less porous than travertine with a honed (matt) finish.

Due to its high porosity it is particularly important for travertine to be sealed with a high quality impregnating sealer which will not affect its slip resistance or look. It is very difficult to seal travertine against acid attack. Travertine is used both outdoors and indoors, Total Seal’s premium impregnating sealers will seal travertine equally well.

Travertine, and other calcite based stone such as marble and limestone have an additional vulnerability – they are prone to acid etching. Travertine will be immediately ‘etched’ (eaten / corroded) by any acidic material immediately on contact – including lemon juice, cola, wine and champagne.

For this reason the honed (matt) look is popular, as it doesn’t show etch marks as much as polished travertine. In any case, acidic substances should be cleaned up as soon as possible, and travertine should not be used outdoors in areas where there is acid rain.