Even though travertine and marble are varieties of limestone, they are occasionally offered as the same item when they are entirely different products. For the shower, for example, travertine is better than marble.
To provide someone with a clear understanding of what to expect when deciding whether to use travertine or marble tile, we always ask how they will utilize the material and explain how they differ.
As long as you know what to anticipate from each, either of these two natural stones can be a great option in the proper location to add elegance and beauty to your house or place of business.
What is travertine?
Travertine is a white calcareous rock which is deposited in mineral springs. It’s frequently used as flooring in the form of tiles and is available in a range of earth-tone colors, such as tans, browns, rust, and beige shades. It is very heavy and needs to have its surface sealed.
Despite it being easier to maintain over a natural stone, it’s not suitable to all locations. However, a correctly laid out and maintained travertine floor brings a certain kind of mountain-derived beauty to inside settings.
What is marble?
In the construction industry, where marble floors are employed, Marble is the most widely used natural stone. It is a part of the limestone family and is created when limestone is subjected to high heat and pressure, which causes the stone to undergo metamorphism.
It comes in various lovely colors caused by impurities like iron oxide, mica, graphite, and quartz, among others. The veins may be more or less noticeable depending on the Marble’s quality. Higher-quality marble has fewer veins because it contains fewer contaminants in its makeup.
It is a soft stone that, once put in place, hardens into a dependable material used worldwide for floors, walls, showers, worktops, and backsplashes.
Travertine vs. Marble
Many individuals are often perplexed by the subtle tones of marble and travertine. Both stones have a classy appearance, reflect light, and brighten the area.
Many people believe that marble is a type of travertine. Yet, even though they are both limestones, they are not the same.
Marble is created when limestone is subjected to high pressure and temperature. The limestone rocks that make up travertine are similarly formed under intense heat and pressure and can be found near freshwater hot springs and caves.
Tiny pores are created as gasses and hot water are ejected from the stone. Travertine acquires tiny pores in this manner, giving it an organic, earthy appearance.
1. Appearance
Regarding travertine, pores can be seen, giving its pavers and tiles a more rustic and rough appearance. However, it appears even and smooth when the pores have been filled and sealed.
On the other hand, marble frequently has veins that are a single, solid color of a different color.
Marble and travertine can be distinguished from one another by the absence of veins like the streaks found in travertine.
2. Slip resistance
A naturally porous and a high-friction surface give travertine a fantastic anti-slip quality. In addition, travertine pavers and tiles are suitable for usage in pools and other damp areas because of their rustic appearance, which comes from their roughness.
Marble is often polished and has poor traction. In addition, its surface is frequently sanded to make it slip-resistant. Therefore, it is ideal for use in shower areas or bathroom floors.
3. Usage
Marble is a preferred stone for bathrooms, walls, indoor floors, patios, and kitchen countertops because of its neat, luxurious look and ability to stand daily wear and tear.
Because of its natural anti-slip surface, travertine is installed as pool pavers, pool copings, walkways, and other outdoor applications.
4. Durability
Both marble and travertine are sturdy stones that can tolerate wear and tear. However, travertine is more resilient than marble. The latter can also be employed in commercial constructions and it has greater density and robustness than travertine.
Travertine is tougher, though, particularly for countertops. Its toughness sometimes depends on the quarrying location.
5. Maintenance
Due to its softness, travertine is susceptible to stains, scratches, acidic cleansers, and abrasion. Consequently, travertine pavers and tiles require specific maintenance. Even after sealing, debris or dust can still seriously harm the stone.
Marble is not recommended for contaminated regions since it can also erode when exposed to acidic substances or water. Both stains and acidic solutions can damage it. As a result, the light color demands that stains be removed immediately.
6. Cost
You would concur that the cost of the stones is influenced by the processing, polishing, shipping, and installation. The installation costs increase as the difficulty increases.
The most expensive type of marble is natural marble. However, natural travertine is costlier than cultured marble and cultured travertine. Costs depend on the quality and availability of the stone.
Which is better for the bathroom?
For the bathroom, travertine is better than marble as it’s more durable in the wet conditions of the shower.
The benefits and drawbacks of both materials should be carefully considered to choose either of them in your bathroom. While marble is typically a hard stone, several varieties are actually relatively porous, making it vulnerable to stains.
Therefore, regular sealing is necessary to keep this stone in good condition. If you want your travertine to absorb water or have a more polished appearance, you can seal it or leave it unsealed.
Travertine is the best material to use outside, such as around a pool, as opposed to marble, which is more sensitive. Outside, marble will scrape.
Most people only use marble indoors – in homes and places of business – rather than outside, where it would be exposed to the weather.
Conclusion
It wouldn’t be incorrect to suggest that marble and travertine have certain similarities in their qualities and requirements. For example, they are similar in terms of maintenance, longevity, and appearance.
Travertine is your best option if the price is an issue and you want to add a rustic touch to your room. However, choose marble if you prefer an opulent appearance with contrasting veins and more endurance.