Travertine is a unique and beautiful natural stone that can be used to great effect in a variety of applications. Travertine pavers offer versatility and many excellent benefits. If you’re unsure what exactly travertine is, how it’s different to other types of stone like limestone, or why you should consider using travertine pavers in your home, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide just for you. What is travertine and what are travertine pavers? Travertine and limestone are often mentioned in the same breath, which is understandable, but there is actually a difference between the two. Both of these types of natural stone are sedimentary rocks that form at the bottom of water repositories, such as lakes, rivers and oceans. Over time, the shells and fossils of aquatic creatures collect and become compacted under pressure creating calcium carbonate. When additional pressure and heat occurs, the stone changes from travertine to limestone. In this way, you can consider travertine pavers to be a form of preliminary limestone. When comparing limestone to travertine pavers for your construction or remodelling project, it’s important to understand the differences so that you can make the right choice for your application. Limestone vs. Travertine While there are a lot of similarities between limestone and travertine pavers, there are also a few distinct differences. Density – Due to the way the two sedimentary stones are formed, travertine is softer and less dense than limestone. Colour – While there is a lot of shading variety and overlap, limestone tends to be lighter and brighter than travertine which has a darker, more streaked palette. Cost – Travertine pavers are less expensive than limestone, especially when comparing the initial investment. Maintenance – Due to being denser, limestone needs less maintenance than travertine to be kept optimal in terms of look and function. Travertine Pavers: The Pros and Cons Travertine: The Pros Colour Variety Travertine comes in a wide range of colours and shades, particularly suited to application in darker contexts. While limestone does come in a range of colours, travertine pavers tend to have more variety. Timeless Style Travertine has a timeless and stylish appeal that won’t date as easily as some other natural stone pavers. With a subtle elegance and sophisticated beauty, it is flexible in its application and can suit just about any style of home design. Textured The unique formation of travertine pavers through the compacting of shells and fossils of dead aquatic animals gives a highly textured aesthetic to travertine that limestone loses somewhat during its continued formation. Easy to Replace Travertine pavers are not difficult or costly to procure, so if an accident should occur and repairs need to be made, they are easy to replace. While getting highly sought after and rare stone slabs might offer a unique and exclusive look, you do risk difficulty in getting replacement pavers. Non-slip Travertine pavers offer a natural non-slip surface. Some natural stones can get slippery, even when they’re not wet, but travertine offers plenty of grip along its surface which can make it particularly suitable for particular applications. Cost Travertine is the cheaper natural stone. If you’re operating on a tight budget or you want to opt for the more cost-effective material, then travertine pavers are the way to go. Eco-friendly Travertine pavers are quite environmentally friendly. They do not need to undergo much manufacturing or engineering, so if you’re looking for a stone paver that’s green (even when not coloured green), choose travertine. Travertine: The Cons More Maintenance Travertine pavers are less dense than limestone, so they can require more maintenance to keep clean and structurally uncompromised. Nonetheless, being a hardy natural stone, travertine isn’t difficult to keep in tip top shape. Porous Travertine pavers are more porous than limestone meaning that it needs extra sealing to keep moisture and water out. While not a problem in Perth, the South West and pretty much most of WA, if you live in a place where the absorbed water can freeze, it could crack the pavers. In Perth, travertine is still a perfectly practical choice of stone though some people do prefer using it in drier rooms of the house as opposed to bathrooms or pool areas. Wear and Tear Limestone is often chosen over travertine for use in areas with high traffic, such as floors of corridors or walkways, or even staircases. Travertine pavers are softer and, while still extremely hardy, best used in areas that aren’t exposed to particularly heavy amounts of foot traffic. Choosing Travertine Travertine pavers offer a number of unique qualities and properties making it excellent for use around the house. If you’re a fan of the intricate, elegantly beautiful natural stone of travertine, consider using it in these areas of the home: Splashbacks – The humble splashback in your kitchen is a wonderful way to subtly tie the room together. Travertine offers durability and the wonderful tones to complement just about any interior design. Benchtops – If you’re looking to incorporate travertine pavers in a more central way, your kitchen benchtop offers plenty of opportunity to highlight this beautiful stone. Any low-traffic area – Just about any low-traffic area of the house is perfect for incorporating travertine pavers. If you don’t need the hardiest stone available, travertine is an excellent choice for a wide range of applications. Remastone: the leaders in travertine pavers in Perth Perth and Western Australia’s dry, hot climate makes for the perfect setting for using stunning travertine pavers in your home. If you would like to discuss how our pavers can transform your house, make sure to check out our website for more information and contact us today.