Travertine comes in many different patterns, thickness and cuts, sizes, and variations depending on your next project.

Choosing the right type of style of travertine from pavers to tiles, split face or standard mosaics, and moldings and copings are important for the functionality of your project, but travertine pavers are a great choice for any outdoor needs you may have.

Travertine Pavers vs. Tiles

Travertine pavers are durable, long-lasting, can withstand fluctuating weather conditions, and its porous nature – which easily absorbs water – makes travertine’s surface cool to touch. These characteristics make pavers the most popular choice of travertine for walkways, driveways, areas surrounding pools, decks, and patios.

They are a cost-effective solution to expensive alternatives and have the benefit of being environmentally friendly and won’t lose their original color.

Travertine Pavers are also distinct from travertine tiles due to the thickness of the material, which ranges from 1 1/4 – 2″ inches thick and are cut into blocks. Pavers are usually rough to the touch and have chiseled edges, unlike tiles, which have a smooth finish.

Pavers are likely to be installed on top of sand and gravel and mortared (a mixture of cement, water, and sand laid beneath the stone) on mud due to the thickness of the material.

Most popular designs of Travertine Pavers

Travertine pavers can be arranged in any formation and cut in a distinct pattern based on your needs. They can be finished in three ways: tumbled, honed, and polished.

A tumbled finish is designed to look “worn in” or rustic, so the travertine is tumbled to provide more texture. This process can take 3-5 weeks and requires the travertine to be coated with rubber or plastic barrel with grit and water. The holes in the travertine can be filled or unfilled depending on the look you want to achieve.

A honed finish appears glossy and has a matte or sheen look with a smooth texture. In order to achieve a honed finish, the travertine is ground on one side. Travertine with honed finishes are the most common in the United States are frequently used in bathrooms and outdoor patios.

A polished finish requires filling the holes in the travertine. Similar to the honed finish, the travertine is sleek and smooth to touch.

Noce and silver travertine pavers are the most popular variations and colors of travertine pavers. Noce pavers consist of earth tones that vary between deep browns, yellows,

and red coloring. Noce pavers are a great way to make your space more vibrant and sunny.  Silver pavers usually consist of darker hues of grey and white and have speckles of black coloring within them, adding a unique touch to any design.

Pavers also come in ivory, country classic, walnut, scabos, tuscany, and many more. Consult Texas Travertine for help selecting the best color for your project.

Travertine Pavers vs. Concrete Pavers

When weighing the options for planning the design of outdoor spaces, people typically go back and forth between travertine and concrete pavers. Travertine pavers can typically only be cut into squares or triangles, but the characteristics and unique appearance make it a much aesthetically appealing choice.

Although builders may try to replicate travertine pavers’ natural appearance, concrete pavers simply won’t achieve the same look because it is man-made and not all natural like travertine. Concrete pavers also come in pieces, 2 ⅜” thick, and require more finishing to achieve the same texture as travertine.

The surface temperature is also a big factor when deciding whether to buy concrete or travertine pavers. Travertine is usually 20% -30% cooler than its concrete counterpart, once again due to its porous nature. This fits in well with safety requirements and won’t be a cause for concern during hot summers. Travertine pavers within pools are also non-slip and can be sealed to prevent mold and deterioration.

Concrete pavers are not protected during extreme weather conditions and are likely to crack in freezing conditions. Also, rain, sleet, and snow can cause the color to fade, so this will require re-staining every 2 years. Travertine’s colors are naturally derived from the Earth, so there will be no need to stain the surface.

Travertine pavers also don’t require lengthy installation times and is a stronger material than concrete pavers. To get a better idea about how much a travertine install might cost in your area, you can check the typical cost considerations over at Home Advisor.

There are many great advantages of using travertine pavers for your next project. But if you have any questions at all, please feel free to give the experts a call at Texas Travertine: (855) 588-7272.