Is travertine or marble better?

Travertine and marble are both limestones and each has its own characteristics; Being resistant to heat, suitable for high traffic areas, having a unique beauty, etc. are some of the characteristics of these natural stones which, if used in the right environment, invite elegance and charm to the living space. In this article, we are going to examine the differences between marble and travertine so that you can make a better choice for your project or lifestyle needs.

Which stone is more beautiful? Travertine or marble?

Marble, which is known as marble in the world market, is a natural stone with a uniform color and sometimes with deep and endless dark and light streaks and undeniable beauty. Marble is a hard and durable stone, which can be used in high-traffic areas with proper processing. Marble in the form of tiles and slabs has many uses in interior decoration and its luxurious appearance is very exciting for designers and home owners.

Marble stone is uniform and polishable, and by processing and polishing, it is produced in a polished form with high gloss. Pure marble has a white and bright color, but due to the presence of colored minerals, it has a wide range of colors.

If creating a magnificent, modern and luxurious space is your goal, marble is the right choice. This stone can appear very elegant and luxurious at the peak of its simplicity, and its elegance and natural charm will become a lasting and always original feature in the architectural space.

Travertine stone is one of the oldest building materials in the world; The space built with travertine stone evokes a sense of antiquity and prestige. Travertine naturally has a dominant energy that draws attention in a subtle and gentle way. You will usually find travertine stones in neutral and warm colors including walnut, gold, beige, brown, red and peach; The colors and streaks ripple throughout the travertine stone with a hazy and moving effect and create unique and beautiful patterns.

One of the wonders of travertine is that, unlike most natural stones, the effects of weathering over time, not only does not reduce its beauty, but also gives it a distinctive and more attractive appearance.

So, if you are looking to create a classic and luxurious or even rustic atmosphere, travertine stone is the best option for you. This stone gives a sense of warmth and nostalgia to the residents of every house.

As it is known, both travertine and marble have unique and unique appearance characteristics and generally none is better than the other. Many people and home owners, without considering the advantages and disadvantages of these stones, use them interchangeably; while knowing more will help you in choosing the most suitable stone. Therefore, in the following, we will examine more cases.

What is the difference between travertine and marble?

Geological origin: Travertine is a type of sedimentary limestone, with a porous and sometimes layered structure, which is formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate in springs or hot carbonated waters. The presence of porosity in this stone is due to the formation of gases when calcium carbonate settles and in some cases due to the decomposition of plants. Marble stone, which is considered as a family of marble stones, is a metamorphic carbonate stone, which has a specific crystal texture due to recrystallization under heat and pressure during the metamorphic period, and is mainly made of calcite and dolomite minerals or a combination of both. Composed.

Porosity: Marbles have less porosity, and for this reason, their water absorption and humidity are lower; Therefore, compared to travertines, they have more weight and higher resistance, and they have very good flexibility. On the other hand, travertines have high adhesion and lower weight due to high porosity.

Cost: The price of natural stone is highly dependent on factors such as grading, finishing, processing, and more, but travertine is usually priced lower than marble, which does not necessarily mean that travertine is less durable or of lower quality. (It should be kept in mind that travertine stone in certain colors and textures has a higher price.) Since both marble and travertine have many mines in Iran, it can be done according to the budget of each project. , used domestic stones with a more reasonable price.

Durability: Both marble and travertine are hard and durable; But as we said, travertine is naturally softer and more porous, and if its cavities are not processed with the right materials, it has more potential for scratching, wear and staining. (The resistance of unwaved travertine is higher than wavy types.)

Slip resistance: Travertine naturally has a rough, high-friction surface, giving it an anti-slip quality (unless travertine is polished), but you won’t find this feature in marble. As a result, travertine stones are used around pools and other wet areas to prevent slipping.

Maintenance: The maintenance requirements for travertine and marble are almost the same. Like most natural stones, they must be sealed after installation. The only other care these stones need is an annual sealer to make them more scratch and moisture resistant. Note that liquid spills on stones should be cleaned immediately to prevent staining, things like red wine, lemon juice and acidic substances have a damaging effect on marble. Cleaning these stones only requires a damp cloth and finally a mild detergent or stone cleaning products. (You can read more about this in the natural stone health article).

Stone appearance: In travertine, you won’t find bold color spots or dark streaks contrasting with a light background, which are characteristic of marble. Travertine usually speaks quietly to the audience, but marble (especially in book match and form match slabs) attracts more attention.

Design style: creativity has no specific boundaries and each design can use any type of stone in any style according to the needs of the project and its skill and creativity; But what is obtained from the findings is that marble stone is often used for modern styles and travertine with its natural appearance is suitable for both modern styles and formal and classic decoration styles.

Uses: Travertine is used both indoors and outdoors, but marble is more suitable for indoor spaces.

To use marble outside, its thickness should be at least three centimeters and its surface should not be eroded, but due to reasons such as high cost and weight, today marble is not a smart choice for the facade. (In the facade of Tehran’s Azadi Tower, we see an example of high-thick marble without a sub, which has preserved its appearance for years and is standing.)

• The porosity of travertine stone, which is one of its characteristics, helps to create good adhesion with cement, and as a result, its durability is well maintained on the facade. For this reason, the use of travertine stones for the exterior has become more popular.
• To use travertine stone in landscaping, you should use unpolished models (because they are not slippery).
• With proper processing and maintenance, travertine is resistant to scratching and cracking, so it is also suitable for homes with children or pets.