Q: What is Travertine?
A: Travertine is a natural stone from the limestone family and is typically found in the form of deposits near warm or hot springs. It is sometimes known as Travertine Limestone or Travertine Marble, although it is neither limestone nor marble. In ancient times, it was frequently used as a building material, but now it is most commonly used for pool decks, patios, countertops, flooring, showers, and tubs as well as exterior decor.
Q: What are Travertine Pavers?
A: Travertine Pavers are 100% natural stone pavers sold in various sizes and patterns. They are typically 1.25″ thick and are ideal for pool decks, patios, and driveways.
Q: Why should I use Travertine Pavers vs. other paving materials?
A: Tumbled Travertine Pavers are one of the best materials to use around a pool deck, patio, driveway, or walkway. Their tumbled, porous surface instantly absorbs water, leaving the surface of the deck practically non-slip. Travertine Pavers also stay cool to the touch. The same can’t be said about other paving materials such as brick pavers, or concrete. The lifespan of a Travertine Paver is incomparable to other manmade materials – travertine can last centuries, while other paving materials crack and deteriorate over time.
Q: Where do Travertine Pavers come from?
A: Our Travertine Pavers are from Turkey. Turkey is known to have superb quality Travertine reserves and is the preferred choice for architects and designers. Italy, Iran, Mexico, Peru, and the United States also have Travertine reserves.
Q: How thick are Travertine Pavers?
A: The industry standard for Travertine Pavers is 1.25” thick, although custom orders can be done for a thicker paver.
Q: What does the finished surface of a Travertine Paver look like?
A: Travertine Pavers typically have one of three finishes:
Q: Why do you state that you have one of the Lowest Breakage Percentages in the Market?
A: Because we are in control of our Travertine Pavers from the factory directly to you. We do not import low quality materials and we certainly do not try to sell it to our clients. In addition, we state at most a mere 4% breakage while all other suppliers in the market state anywhere between 10% to 15%. That is by itself an important amount of savings to you.
Q: Do you offer a final inspection of the Travertine Pavers before they leave your warehouse?
A: Yes, we check all pallets before they leave our warehouse. We check for possible breakage, loose safety strips, the condition of the pallet, and take all necessary measures to ensure that the Travertine Pavers arrive to you in the best possible shape. We do not ship low quality and/or poor condition Travertine Pavers.
Q: What is your Return Policy?
A: Travertine Mart has a 31-day return policy for unused materials. The product must be returned in its entirety, in its original form, and in the same condition as when it arrived at the original destination and must not have been installed, removed and then returned. By “original form,” we mean in its natural state (not sealed or previously installed). By “in the same condition as when it arrived,” we mean that if the Travertine was delivered on a pallet or a crate, the material must be returned to us packaged and secured on said pallet or crate. Of course you can remove the Travertine upon arrival and inspect it. We encourage you to do so.
If there is a problem with the order, and it is our mistake, we will replace the products at our expense or offer you a refund. Simple as that.
Q: Do you charge Restocking Fees?
A: We do not impose restocking fees on returned material for items that are In Stock and available for Immediate Delivery. Due to the nature of Pre-Orders and the fact that these materials are fabricated especially for your project, any cancellations after the order has been placed will incur a 25% restocking fee as the factory has already begun the manufacturing process.
Q: How large are the samples you send?
A: Our samples are typically a 4×4″ size. They are not actual size pieces. If you order multiple sizes of the same color, we will only send one color and will refund you the remaining.
Q: Is it possible to see a picture of the actual lot of the Travertine Pavers?
A: Yes. We offer high resolution pictures of the actual lot upon request. We not only take pictures of the pallets, but also lay a few pieces on the ground to give you a better idea of the material.
Q: Are Travertine Pavers durable?
A: Travertine Pavers are highly durable; they have been in nature for thousands of years and retain their color over time. This is actually one of the reasons why people choose Travertine over other materials, such as brick pavers, which begin to fade and crack within a year or two.
Q: Can Travertine be used in cold weather climates?
A: Travertine Pavers are able to withstand cold weather conditions given that they have been properly installed and are premium grade. Our products have passed 3rd party laboratory tests for freeze/thaw cycle performance without any cracking. We also offer a 1-Year Limited Warranty that covers freeze/thaw damage. Laboratory test results are listed next to each product. If mud-setting Travertine Pavers in Northern States, FlexBond (or similar) adhesive should be used instead of traditional cement products to prevent cracking during the freeze/thaw cycle. Travertine Pavers are not only able to withstand freeze-thaw cycles but also extreme heat, their natural coolness provides an excellent walking surface for bare feet. For this reason, Travertine Pavers are the perfect solution for tropical and humid climates as well.
Recommended: Flexbond Crack Prevention Mortar
Q: Can Travertine be used around salt water pools? If so, should it be sealed?
A: Travertine is able to hold it’s own around a salt water pool, as long as the appropriate measures are taken to protect it. It is highly recommended to seal the Travertine with a water-repellent impregnating sealer to prolong the life of the patio.
The best option is to use a Modified Silane Sealer which will penetrate the stone deep down into the pores, creating a barrier which will be most effective at keeping the salt water out. Sealers which block the Travertine’s pores should be avoided as water can become trapped inside, making the Travertine slippery when wet.
Recommended sealers: DuPont™ StoneTech® Salt Water Resistant Sealer
Q: What is the minimum order at Travertine Mart?
A: All of our Travertine products are sold in full crates. The Travertine is securely packed in these crates to prevent breakage during transit, therefore modifying the crates will greatly increase the likelihood of damage during shipment and cannot be done.
Our French Pattern Travertine Pavers typically contain 176 sqft per crate.
Our French Pattern Travertine Tiles typically contain 416 sqft per crate.
Our 12×24 Travertine Pool Coping typically contains 132 linear feet per crate.
Your estimate will be rounded up to the nearest crate, unless you tell us otherwise.
Q: Which Travertine Paver should I use on my swimming pool deck and other wet areas?
A: Our Tumbled Travertine Pavers are best used on a pool deck or patio. Tumbled Pavers have a porous, textured finish which provides faster water absorption, making the area less slippery. This is the best option – especially when there are children around.
Q: Which Travertine Paver should I use for my driveway?
A: Our 6×12 Travertine Pavers are the ideal size for a driveway. When a larger size is used you increase the likelihood of breakage, so a small 6×12 or 8×8 size is the way to go.
Q: Is it necessary to seal Travertine?
A: It is not necessary to seal Travertine, although doing so will bring out the natural beauty and splendor of the pavers and/or tiles. Sealing may be preferred indoors, in high traffic areas, or on a patio that is frequently used for entertaining, as it will protect against spills from food and wine which may stain the Travertine.
Some clients prefer to use a Non-Slip Shark Grip sealer additive to provide more traction.
Recommended products: DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional Stone Sealers
Q: How can I clean Travertine?
A: Every once in a while you may need to clean your Travertine, especially if it’s in a high traffic area or laid outside near a tree. Several companies make great, affordable cleaners for Travertine which can easily be applied with a mop. For a heavy duty clean, you may need to make a more concentrated mixture.
Recommended products: DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional Stone & Tile Cleaners
Q: How can I remove stains from Travertine?
A: Hard water, tree berries, and the like can all stain Travertine over time. A simple poultice can typically be used to remove these tough stains (including wine spills!). Even a small oil spill from a car can typically be removed with an Oil-Stain Remover.
Recommended products: Miracle Sealants Poultice, DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional Oil Stain Remover
Q: Can I spray bleach on Travertine to clean it?
A: Although it’s tempting to use a quick, easy solution to clean the Travertine (especially in a bathroom setting), we never recommend using harsh chemicals on Travertine as it is a very porous stone. Over time, as the Travertine continuously absorbs the bleach, it will cause the stone to erode and dissolve. Several companies make gentle, yet effective cleansing sprays that can be used wherever Travertine needs cleaning.
Recommended products: DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional Stone & Tile Cleaners
Q: What is the French Pattern?
A: Used for both patios and pool decks, the French Pattern is an old-world style pattern used for hundreds of years. It contains four sizes within the pattern, comprising 8 square feet per set. Each set consists of (2) 16″x24″ pavers, (4) 16″x16″ pavers, (2) 16″x8″ pavers and (4) 8″x8″ pavers.
Q: Can I install Travertine Pavers over an existing driveway?
A: Travertine Pavers can be installed over existing concrete or asphalt as long as the driveway is in reasonably good condition. To ensure an adequate foundation for the Travertine, the existing driveway should be inspected and repaired as necessary. Cracks, chips, holes and other surface issues should be repaired in order to achieve a flat surface and to prevent breakage of the Travertine in the future.
Q: How much should I allow for breakage, waste and cuts?
A: It is reasonable to order an additional 6% to %8 material, which can be used in the case of cuts, turning radius or possible breakage during transit. Remember, Travertine shades and colors will vary from pallet to pallet, especially if you need to order more years from now. It is a great idea to have extra material on hand in case you need to change out a paver down the road.
Q: When ordering, can I mix-and-match colors and styles of material?
A: Yes. Your creativity is given free reign when ordering from Travertine Mart!
Q: Can I find uniform colors with Travertine Pavers?
A: Not really. Because Travertine is a natural stone, no two pieces are the same. Natural minerals are deposited randomly in each slab of stone, which means there will be naturally occurring differences in color and pattern for each cut paver.
Q: How much are Travertine Pavers per square foot?
What is the average cost of Travertine Pavers?
What is the average cost of Travertine Pool Coping (bullnose) per linear foot?
A: The price depends on the color, quality and size of the material. Our premium quality Travertine Pavers could range anywhere from $2.35 to $4.99 per square foot. Prices for Travertine Pool Coping (bullnose) are approximately $5.00 per linear foot. Natural stone tiles and Travertine Tiles start at $2.39 per square foot.
Q: Can Travertine Pavers be used around a pool?
A: Tumbled Travertine Pavers are ideal for pool decks. They have numerous advantages over other materials in the marketplace. To summarize a few: Tumbled Travertine Pavers are heat resistant, they won’t burn your feet in hot summer months, they absorb water to help prevent slips and also help prevent flooding.
Q: What are the colors of Travertine Pavers?
A: The main colors found in Travertine Pavers are: Ivory (off-white, beige, tan color) Walnut (very light brown) Noche (brown) and Gold. Occasionally, you can find red, blue, and gray tones.
Q: What can you say about the durability of travertine?
A: This used to be one of the most popular questions on travertine. Travertine has a very high compressive strength, much higher than brick pavers or cement pavers, at around 8000 PSI. In addition, there are many examples of travertine used in the ancient cities of Rome in Italy and Ephesus in Turkey. The travertine is still intact after more than 2000 years of use. That, by itself, is a big statement.
Q: Is Travertine heat resistant?
A: Yes. Travertine Pavers will not absorb the heat from the sun outdoors and will not burn your feet during the hot summer months.
Q: Where can I buy Travertine Pavers in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and nationwide?
A: Travertine Mart offers shipping to all states in the US and to the Caribbean. We have great rates for shipping within Florida, to New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, and Georgia.
Q: I am having problems viewing your website.
A: Always make sure you have downloaded the most recent version of your internet browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari). Older versions of Internet Explorer are not compatible with this website; text will most likely be jumbled and links will not work. Keeping your browser up to date will also help you avoid security risks that arise when using an old browser.
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