What is Travertine and How Can You Use It?
By Michael Ross on May 9, 2008 in Travertine
I recently had a friend call me and ask me what travertine was? Well, here’s an explanation:
Travertine is a sedimentary rock, a natural chemical precipitate of carbonate minerals. In basic terms, calcium carbonate is deposited from mineral spring water or rivulets that are saturated with calcium bicarbonate and this water can be cold, warm or piping hot.
When carbon dioxide-rich water percolates through rocks in limestone regions, water dissolves the limestone and becomes saturated with it. When the environment the water runs through, changes significantly e.g. a change in pressure or temperature, this causes the water to release the carbon dioxide as gas, much like in carbonated drinks like Coca Cola. The calcium carbonate then recrystallizes and small debris, scrub and living biotic material like algae and moss are encrusted. The biotic material may survive and continue growing on top. Rich deposits of aged, dried and hardened travertine have already been mined by the Romans. The rock typically remains quite porous with numerous cavities. When exceptionally porous it is known as “Calcareous Tuff”. When pure and fine, travertine is white, but often is brown to yellow due to impurities other than carbonate minerals.
Extensive travertine deposits can be found in Tivoli, Italy, a short distance from Rome. You can also find numerous travertine dams in places like Croatia, Afghanistan, Sichuan China, Turkey and Guatamala.
Want to know the most famous building in the world that is constructed mainly of travertine? The Colosseum in Rome believe it or not! Other notable buildings constructed from it include the Sacre Coeur Cathedral in Paris and the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
Travertine is commonly used for flooring as tiles but also used in gardens and and for patios. The stone is characterized by pitted holes and troughs in the surface which can be filled or unfilled and you can purchase each variation. It is also commonly used as a facade or wall cladding material and this can be seen in UCLA Medical Center where the walls are are constructed of thick travertine.
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