A Clean Perspective: Holey Floors!

Mid-Level (aka second grade) – The definitions are similar to first grade, but each supplier uses looser language. They generally call for consistent color; one advertises “double-filling,” but doesn’t specify if the second fill is done by hand, as is done with their first grade of travertine.  Large filled holes are allowed;  some filled holes through full thickness allowed. One even says: “May contain swirls or long striations (lines).” I’ve actually seen many machine marks in certain suppliers’ travertine, usually after installation.

Commercial Grade –Wide light/dark color variation, with gray or black inclusions allowed. Defects in honing and sizing allowed. Small unfilled holes allowed; no hand filling, large filled voids allowed, non-stop holes allowed (from the bottom to surface). Cracked and broken edges permitted. Delivered without any color selection or sorting. (Anyone who has spoken to me in person will have heard where this grade is usually sold, and the reasons behind the sales.)

Click picture to enlargeDon’t get me wrong here. I love travertine. It’s in my en-suite shower; I plan on doing my foyer, breakfast room and kitchen in travertine with black granite highlights. (Another story, another day.)

I think it is a great stone. It looks awesome and wears well – but, my friends, I know what to expect out of it. And, I also know how to repair it.

We can bring mountains of this stuff out of the ground, but it’s going to expose a few holes when we slice it up, fill it, and put it on our walking paths. Expecting anything less just isn’t practical.

One of the reasons that travertine is so popular today is that it’s a natural stone affordable to the masses. However, many of the masses fail to do their homework, and assume that all stone is top-notch and rock-solid. I truly believe that travertine is a timeless product and, when used in the right application, each grade has its place.

One thing I’ve learned from working on travertine in all levels and grades is that a bargain when buying travertine is almost always perception, not reality. If you’re getting travertine for $2 ft(2), you’d best put that stuff on the walls. Just like any natural product, good material will cost you more.

The Getty Center in Los Angeles is literally covered in travertine; floors, columns, interior/exterior walls, even moulding. When I visited the museum, I was more impressed by the artwork of stone then I was with the works of Monet, Pissaro and several other dead Europeans. The famed Coliseum in Rome – travertine again. The stone is eternally luxurious.

The main things I hope to impart to you:

1.) That you won’t speak harshly of a stone that does have plenty of practical applications;