Travertine
As Classic as the Roman Colosseum
Travertine is a natural stone such as basalt, granite, marble, limestone, slate, and sandstone. The key difference between travertine and other natural stones lies in the formation of the rock, the hardness of the stone and the appearance. Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. It is formed by precipitation of carbonate minerals from solution in ground and surface waters, often at the mouth of a geothermally heated hot springs or in a limestone cave.
Key characteristics of travertine stone are the holes within the stone which are caused by carbon dioxide evasion. Quality and usefulness of the stone is often gauged by the size and density of these holes. Higher quality Grade A stone has fewer holes. Many times holes are filled with epoxy to suit the color the stone and then further finished for the specific application i.e. wall cladding, shower tile, floor paver, etc.
HDG Building Materials sources travertine from quarries in China. Travertine rocks are dug up in quarries and broken down into large travertine blocks which are then transported to factories. In these factories. the large blocks are cut into slabs and subsequently into tiles, pavers, mosaics etc. Ultimately, specific surface finishes are applied to meet the needs of HDG customer projects.
Uses Of Travertine
Travertine is one of the most frequently used stones in modern architecture. It is commonly used for façades, wall cladding, and flooring. Indoor projects include floors, showers, kitchens, and in decorating walls and ceilings. Outdoors, travertine is used for driveways, pool decks, patio areas, walkways, and facades. The Romans mined deposits of travertine for building temples, aqueducts, monuments, bath complexes, and amphitheaters such as the Colosseum. The lobby walls of the modernist Willis Tower (1970) (formerly Sears Tower) in Chicago are also made of travertine.
