Travertine
From MaterialProject.org, the free architectural material catalog
Contents |
Material analysis
MasterFormat Number: 09 60 00
Travertine is a natural stone and type of sedimentary rock that is built up over time in rivers, springs and other subterranean water sources.
Traditional uses
- The name Travertine is derived from the name of a town in Italy. Tivoli, as it is known today, was known as Tibur in ancient Roman times.
- A sedimentary rock and natural chemical precipitate of carbonate minerals.
- Traditional uses include vertical and horizontal applications such as flooring, wall clading and working surfaces.
- The 'Colosseum', in Rome, is the world's largest and most famous Travertine building.
Emerging uses / trends
Today, travertine is used for a variety of applications, including:
- Flooring
- Pavers
- Patios
- Garden Paths
- Wall Cladding
- Countertops
One of the most famous modern Travertine buildings is the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
Finishes
Natural Travertine comes with pores or small holes where gasses were once trapped. These holes are usually filled in with cement to create a uniform surface (known as Filled Travertine). If the stone is left in its natural form the pores and holes will remain exposed(known as Unfilled Travertine).
Travertine typically comes in four basic finishes. The finish determines the amount of light the surface will reflect.
- Polished (shiny)
- Honed (matte)
- Brushed (textured surface)
- Tumbled: The stone is tumbled with sand, pebbles or steel bearings to create a weathered, aged finish. (this finish reflects the least amount of light)[1]
The most common finish for travertine is Honed.
Aesthetic qualities
Travertine is white in its pure form, but it can be a variety of different colors due iron compounds or other organic impurities in the rock.
- Varying degrees of color range from a soft white to a deep mahogany.
- The hues of color found in travertine blend together to create a distinct pattern.
- Visible veins in some cuts enhance the uniqueness of the material.
Surface forms / shapes
Quarred Travetine is available in both slab and tile forms.
- Slab sizes vary from 1.2m x 2.4m
- Tiles are found in standard sizes of 18" x 18" x 7/16
Travertine can be cut in two ways
- Vein Cut: cut against the bedding so the bedding plane is revealed.
- Fleuri Cut: cut along the bedding plane so a flowery or circular pattern is revealed (also referred to as a "crosscut" pattern.)[2]
Price
- Price - Varies from $ 3.20 per square foot onwards
Material properties
Primary structural use
Travertine is a building material known for its long-lasting strength.
- It is used structurally, as well as a cladding on vertical or horizontal surfaces.
- Travertine has been popular material for stone tile flooring for a very long time.
Material performance
- Extreme hardness and durability
- Works in both interior and exterior applications.
- It is considered a natural insulator because it traps the coolness of the earth and does not absorb the heat of the sun
- Freeze and thaw resistance
- Will not buckle or fade
- It is highly reactive with acidic solutions (e.g. orange juice, vinegar).
- Comes in a variety of sizes, colors and finishes
- Offers a varied range of patterns
Acoustic properties
- Travertine like other natural stones has poor acoustical properties.
Formation
Travertine belongs to the larger family of stone called limestone.
- It is composed of a material called calcium carbonate.
- When carbon dioxide rich water percolated through rocks in limestone areas, the water dissolves the limestone and becomes saturated. A drop in pressure or change in temperature causes the water to release the carbon dioxide as a gas form. Then the calcium carbonate recrystalizes into limestone formations.
- The process occurs over great lengths of time.
There are Travertine formations throughout the world.
Environment and Life Safety
Environmental impact
Travertine is mined from quarries throughout the world.
- There are only 2 or 3 smaller Travertine suppliers in the US.
- On average the US demands .85 million tons of Travertine, but nearly all of it is imported.
- Most US imported Travertine comes from Turkey, Mexico, Italy and Peru.
Environmental Impacts Include:
- Pollution from the mining and excavation of Travertine.
- Pollution and/or global impact from transportation of Travertine worldwide.
- Travertine is not a rapidly renewable resource and there is not an endless supply of the material worldwide.
Flammability rating
- Being a natural material, travertine has a comparatively low flammibility rating.
Coefficient of friction
- Abrasion Resistance (for commercial flooring a hardness value of 10 as measured by ASTM C241).
- A polished finish travertine is not recommended for commercial installations because abrasion of walking removes the shine and creates a dull finish in high traffic areas.
- A honed surface (satin finish with little light reflection) is preferred for floors, stairs treads.
- Natural, Unfilled Travertine is virtually a no-slip surface.
See Also
Similar materials
Building refernces
- The Coliseum - Rome
- The Sacre-Coeur Basilica - Paris
- The Getty Center - Los Angeles
References
Notes
Student contributions
- Laura Druan , Fall 2005
- Harshita Merchant, Spring 2008
- Amy Pagano, Spring 2009
External links
Additional resources
- Ballast, David Kent. Interior Construction and Detailing. Belmont, CA: Professional Publications, Inc., 2002.
- Ojeda, Oscar Riera. Materials: Architecture in Detail. Gloucester, MA: Rockport Publishers, Inc., 2003.
