Stone Education Guide · Elite Tile & Stone

Travertine
Natural Stone

Warm, porous, and distinctive — travertine's natural voids are part of its character.

At a Glance

Travertine Properties

Classification

Calcium-based Sedimentary Rock

Hardness

Mohs 3–4 — Soft to Medium

Acid Sensitivity

High — etches from household acids

Color Range

Cream, tan, gold, rust, walnut — warm earth tones with natural variation

Primary Origins

Turkey (Denizli), Italy, Iran, Mexico, Peru

Common Uses

Floors, Showers, Countertops, Pool surrounds, Exterior pavers

How It Forms

What Is
Travertine?

Travertine forms in hot springs and limestone caves where calcium carbonate is deposited by mineral-rich water. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind layers of calcite that accumulate into travertine. The gas bubbles trapped during formation create travertine's characteristic natural voids — the pits and holes that distinguish it from other stones.

How It Looks

Travertine has a warm, earthy palette — creams, tans, golds, and rusts — with a distinctive pitted texture from its natural voids. It can be finished in several ways: filled (voids filled with grout or epoxy for a smoother surface), unfilled (natural texture preserved), honed (smooth matte), or tumbled (aged, rough edge). It is one of the most recognizable natural stones due to its warm color and distinctive surface character.

Travertine slab close-up — Elite Tile & Stone

In Your Home

How Travertine
Performs

Travertine's natural voids are its defining characteristic and its primary maintenance challenge. In floors and countertops, the voids collect dirt, food, and moisture over time — requiring professional deep cleaning to fully address. In showers, the voids can harbor mineral deposits and biological growth. Its calcium-based composition means it etches from acidic products, and its porosity means it stains readily without sealing.

Our Restoration Approach

Travertine produces some of the most dramatic restoration results we achieve. Years of embedded dirt in the voids, mineral deposits, and surface wear are removed to reveal the stone's original warm color and character. Void filling, deep cleaning, honing, polishing, and sealing — the full process — transforms travertine that looks beyond repair into a surface that looks newly installed.

How to Care for It

Travertine Maintenance Tips

Proper care extends the life of your travertine significantly and reduces the frequency of professional restoration.

Clean grout lines and voids regularly — they collect debris faster than other stones
Re-seal every 6 to 12 months — travertine is highly porous
Use pH-neutral cleaners only — acidic products etch travertine readily
In showers, squeegee after every use to reduce mineral deposit formation
Have voids professionally re-filled if they have become enlarged or lost filler material

Restoration Services

We Restore Travertine
Throughout North Idaho

If you have travertine in your home or commercial property in Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, or Rathdrum — we can assess and restore it.

Countertop Restoration

Fireplace Restoration

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Chip & Crack Repair

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Scratch & Etch Removal

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Common Questions

Travertine Questions

Those are natural voids — travertine forms with characteristic pits and holes. They can be filled with color-matched fill during restoration, creating a smoother, easier-to-clean surface. Many homeowners prefer the filled-and-honed look because it reads as solid stone rather than pitted.

Yes. Travertine is calcium-based like marble and limestone, so acidic contact etches it. Acidic cleaners are a common cause of travertine damage in showers and floors. Use only pH-neutral stone-safe cleaners.

Absolutely — travertine floor restoration is some of the most dramatic before-and-after work we do. We clean out the voids, fill where needed, hone the surface to remove wear and etching, and seal. Worn, dull travertine comes back beautifully.

Squeegee after showers to limit hard water buildup, use only stone-safe cleaners (never acidic shower sprays), and keep it sealed. North Idaho's hard water is especially tough on shower travertine, so periodic professional cleaning helps a lot.

Free Quote

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Tell us what you need restored — we respond within a few hours. No pressure, no obligation.

TravertineNatural Stone

Travertine Properties

What IsTravertine?

How TravertinePerforms