Travertine

Travertine is limestone that has been formed over a long period of time. The product is porous with many visible holes. It is available in colours ranging from ivory to golden brown. The holes and cavities may be filled with matching portland cement, coloured epoxy, or polyester resins.

Tavertine 1 :

Travertine is a sedimentary calciferous stone formed in hot springs. Typically, hot water passes through limestone beds and takes the calcium, from the limestone into suspension and takes that solution to the surface where the water evaporates and leaves the calcium crystals in layers on the surface.

Travertine can be cut on either a "vein" cut, which is against the bedding which reveals the bedding planes, or a "fleuri" cut, which is along the bedding plane and reveals a flowery, often circular pattern. This cut is also referred to as a "crosscut" pattern.

Travertine can be filled, usually with a cementicous filler, or left unfilled for a more rustic appearance. Travertine comes in several shades of creme/beige, brown, pink and gold, and is available in a number of different tile sizes and slab thicknesses. It is normally used for flooring, wall cladding, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds and furniture.

Some of the largest travertine deposits in North America are located in New Mexico. Go to http://NMT.com to visit their web site to get more information about New Mexico Travertine.