Travertine is one of the most popular products and yet it’s often confusing on how to determine a supplier’s quality of the stone and pricing. We will deep dive into everything you need to know and what to look out for when shopping for travertine.
There are different grades of quality in stone, although travertine has a few variables. Travertine has naturally occurring holes and it is the size and frequency of these holes that determine the quality of the material. Suppliers generally sell different three grades. First grade quality has small, less frequent holes and the third grade travertine has many large holes.
The different grades of quality have various strengths as well. The lower the grade the less durable the material. Less durability means it’s harder to lay as the stones break easily. The low grade may also mean a shorter lifespan for the material as it may deteriorate over time. On the other hand, high grade travertine possesses the opposite qualities: stronger material, easier to lay and a longer lifespan.
Refer to images below:
Over the past few years as travertine has become more and more popular, installers have told us of numerous experiences about how the lower grade material tends to breaks when they lay it. This can be frustrating for them as it increases the labour time to complete the project as well as having to order more stone. They also have to tell their client that they need to order more stone and try to explain their reasoning. Some installers will not lay poor quality travertine due to their past experiences. If you are unsure, it is best to ask them which supplier they recommend using before purchasing.
If the difference between poor material and good material is $10m2, this is only an extra $500 on a project of 50m2. If you can manage to fit this in your budget, your material will be more durable, easier to lay, have a longer life span, and most importantly, look just the way you want it to!
In terms of colour, the beige travertine shouldn’t vary too much in shade. If there are large variances, this may mean a lower grade material. On the other hand, the silver travertine can vary a great degree between suppliers, and a lighter or darker colour silver travertine wouldn’t necessarily determine its quality. For example, our silver travertine is a light-medium colour, where another supplier could have medium-dark colour and they could both be equally quality material. Just make sure to check with the supplier which colour they supply and see if it suits your colour scheme.
Our number one tip and a word of caution: when searching for travertine, ask to see the material in the crates. This will ensure that what you see on display is the same and what you will get. We have heard stories of customers receiving material that was substandard to what was shown on display.