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Using Travertine for Wall Cladding

15th Jun 2022

Are you looking for timeless cladding with a sophisticated appearance and breathtaking appeal? Then you’ve probably already heard of travertine - one of the most unusual natural stones in the world. It is a type of limestone formed in the hot springs or limestone caves. It takes millions of years for travertine to form into this gorgeous natural material sought by designers everywhere.    

If you are searching for a natural, durable wall cladding material to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions, continue to look gorgeous for years to come, then travertine tiles might be just what you need. This beautiful sedimentary stone will provide durability and beauty to your facade for decades, and it is also light and suitable for any architectural structure. 

Travertine has always been a popular choice for homeowners. However in the past twenty years, the demand for this stone has increased rapidly. It is one of the most unusual stones. Its porous structure brings us to a tranquil feeling of being surrounded by nature, as the Earth tells a story of times - long forgotten. 

Travertine has been utilized for thousands of years for exterior flooring, facade cladding, decor of interiors in antique, medieval or Mediterranean style. Today, the stone has found its rightful place in contemporary design as well. 

Here, we will focus more on its use as wall cladding. If you already feel inspired and want to know more, keep reading this article to learn more. 

Travertine Cladding 

Travertine is the perfect cladding material for a facade or internal walls. Designers and architects worldwide love to work with this natural material and utilize it for the cladding of different types of project designs, including more contemporary architectural solutions. But why is travertine cladding so popular? 

The answer is simple: External walls require more durable and light materials. And what could be more durable and more beautiful than the stone used for building the Colosseum? 

With travertine, you will strengthen and beautify your facade and make it timeless (in every sense of the word). Now, let's look at the options for utilizing this gorgeous natural travertine finish. 

Filled or Rough finished 

Travertine cladding tiles don't need to be filled at all costs, regardless if you will use them for exterior or interior wall cladding. The tiles can be rough finished if you want a more 'Down to Earth' effect.

Many people, interested in this stone wonder what the difference between filled and rough-finished travertine is. Part of this gorgeous stone's appeal is in its porous structure. That's what unfilled means. The porous structure of the tiles remains reminiscents the finish that Earth created when forming the stone. 

Filled travertine means that the manufacturer of the tiles has filled the holes with color-matching material, thus creating a smooth finish of the final product. The finish of the tiles depends entirely on the preferences of the clients. Here you can learn more about filled or unfilled travertine. 

Natural Stone Anchorage Systems 

Travertine requires a safe and secure anchoring system like any natural stone cladding. When used for external cladding, the professionalists need to consider the weight of the stone and make the anchorage durable and weather resistant, namely resistant to gravity, wind, and seismic activity. The stone allows the usage of anchors or glue. 

Another great advantage to travertine tiles for exterior wall cladding purposes is that they are much lighter than other natural stone choices like marble or granite - not every structure can withstand the heaviness of these types of stones. However, for travertine, this is not a problem. It can be utilized for any building, regardless of its size. That circumstance significantly increases the demand for the stone for exterior use and its application for external wall cladding. The stone can easily fit any architectural structure, regardless of its size and height. 

Travertine Cladding Is Suitable in All Climates

Travertine tiles are exceptionally durable for even the most extreme weather conditions. Although it is widely popular for its natural elegance and antique feel, this material is also known for its incredible durability. Travertine is so strong that it can easily withstand any storm and extreme temperatures. The perfect proof is emblematic buildings made of travertine that remain till today and have been standing since antique times.

Your travertine facade would sustain in extreme weather conditions like rain, hail, cold winter temperatures, and heatwaves. That makes the stone ideal for any climate. It is a popular choice for outdoor use worldwide. Another advantage of travertine wall cladding is that it is also heat resistant and non-flammable, additionally providing safety and durability to your property.

Travertine Wall Cladding Creates Mesmerizing Effect 

Nature is always beautiful. Travertine's gorgeous natural shades and tones create a unique effect that simply takes the breath away. The material is the perfect choice for any wall cladding because it adds that special flair of character to the project. The mesmerizing bands of the tiles are naturally eye catching, so any building will effortlessly become an iconic emblem in the city or town, regardless of its location. 

If you are looking for a great example of external travertine wall cladding, you can check FOSS Denmark's Headqauter's facade. This facade is finished with Entrusco Grigio stone by Saturnia Travertini. 

То Conclude… 

The exquisite elegance and natural beauty of travertine makes this stone a popular material for wall cladding. Professionals love to incorporate it into any design of architectural project types, from more sophisticated and classic structures to modern a contemporary design solutions. We can safely say, that travertine matches the trends of modernity, high-tech, eco-friendly, and classic western European and Mediterranean architectural design. The stone is perfectly-combined with concrete, metal, glass, and even wooden materials.

Travertine has prooved its durability through the test of time with iconic structures made almost entirely of travertine, one of the most emblematic of them is the Colosseum. Today there is a wide variety of colors, shades and finishes of travertine tiles, all of which look superb for interior and exterior wall cladding.