Travertine is sometimes sold as marble, but marble is actually quite a different product than travertine, even though they are both a type of limestone. They each have their own unique character that are suitable to different remodeling projects.
If someone asks me whether they should use travertine vs marble tile, I ask about how they will use the material and tell them how they differ to give them a good idea of what to expect when making a decision to use travertine or marble.
In the right setting, either of these two natural stones can be excellent choices to bring elegance and charm to your home or business, as long as you know what to expect from each.
formation
Main differences between travertine and marble stones lies on their formation. Marble is formed when limestone comes under high pressures and temperatures. Travertine, is formed under additional high pressures and temperatures too. However travertine is formed in hot springs and limestone caves.
travertine is a type of limestone deposited by hot mineral springs called karst. The water movement from the springs erodes the travertine, creating holes in the stones structure. The structure of travertine can be likened to that of a honeycomb, where small pockets or cavities exist within the stone; these are exposed as holes in the surface when it’s cut into tiles. These holes can either be left open or filled by the factory making the tiles with a cement based filler. Occasionally a resin filler is used especially in polished travertine.
Appearance
Travertine pavers and tiles have visible pores with a more natural and textured look. But after sealing and filling the pores, it looks smooth and even. Travertine stone usually has warm shades, from cream and beige to soft grey and silver-blue. No two Travertine tiles look the same. The pattern and colour variation keep them from looking uniform.
On the other hand, Marble is often a single, solid colour with veins of contrasting colours running through it. Mostly, the presence of impurities appears as black or grey streaks on its surface. The stone is available in a variety of colours from gold to blue. Marble has a smooth surface, polished to a more refined finish texture.
Travertine Vs. Marble Installation
Installing any natural stone is more difficult than installing regular ceramic tile. That’s why it’s best to leave the installation to the professionals.
Marble tiles and travertine tiles don’t score and snap like regular ceramic or porcelain tiles. That means you’ll need a special wet saw to make nice clean cuts.
And you need to use special mortars and adhesives in order for the stone tiles to stick properly. Then right after installation, the tiles and grout should be sealed to help prevent staining.
Slip-Resistance
There’s one more thing about travertine that’s worth pointing out. Unless it’s polished, travertine has a naturally rough, porous, high-friction surface that gives it an anti-slip quality you won’t find in marble. As a result, travertine tiles are often used by pools and other wet areas to prevent slips. Marble, on the other hand, is commonly polished and can be a slip hazard in applications such as bathroom floors or showers.
The Cost
Travertine costs about half of what marble costs and thus is a good choice for very large projects, where the cost of marble might be prohibitive. Marble tiles can be used for accents in walls and floors and combined with other types of tiles too, if cost is an issue. When price is no object, then marble can make a stunning impression in large estate sitting areas like this one, or like in the lobby of a fine hotel.
Otherwise, homeowners may find they prefer marble for a narrow hallway bathroom entrance or on a fireplace surround, where the use is distinctive but not too exorbitant in cost.
