Throughout history, builders from cultures around the world have used various types of materials to get the job done. Whether it was timber from mighty trees or gently crafted glass, engineers and builders have used a myriad of minerals to construct the world’s infrastructure. While most think of marble and concrete as the mightiest of materials, there exists a very useful yet much overlooked material. This material is called limestone, but the limestone variation more commonly used in the construction industry is travertine.
The Birth of Travertine
Travertine, despite its fancy name, is a material you’ve likely seen a hundred times. It’s nothing more than a form of limestone. Commonly found in deposits near hot springs or aquifers, travertine has been the staple of construction for more than 900 years. Its versatility and durability made it a favorite of the Romans. The Romans realized it could be used to build virtually any solid structure. Its porous yet stable characteristics made it ideal for beautification as well as more practical applications.
Whether it was the aquifer system or mighty Roman Coliseum, there was no project too large or too small for travertine. Fast forward more than a millennia and travertine is still in heavy use in the present day.
Contemporary Value
In a modern world where artificial textiles are all the rage, many builders still use materials found in nature. Unlike most artificial materials, natural minerals give a sense of warmth and comfort. Roman-inspired architecture remains one of the most beloved art forms, and it is still commonly used when building modern homes. One of the most popular travertine-made objects, the use of French pattern travertine tiles is common in modern homes.
While the foundations for most homes are better suited for a tougher material like concrete, travertine still has its uses. Travertine is the primary material to use when building structures close to water or in moist climates. Given travertine’s porous nature, water doesn’t pool or flood in areas where travertine is present. Instead, the water seems to glide across the surface and adds a gorgeous sheen to the surface of materials made out of travertine.
There’s often nothing more appealing than French pattern travertine tiles freshly soaked by pool water. These types of set-ups add tremendous character to a home, and they reflect the rich history of human architecture.
Adding Travertine to Your Home
Whether you live in a ranch-style home or a modern penthouse, travertine doesn’t look out of place in either circumstance. Travertine is completely adaptable, and the exact exterior used is completely interchangeable. This means you could make your travertine look more or less metallic, and you could even have it match the color of your house if desired.
Considering its reliability and beauty, it’s no surprise that travertine remains one of the most popular building materials in human history.
