travertine flooring

Care of Travertine Flooring

By | Posted in: Care Guides, Stone Flooring, Travertine Flooring |

Travertine is a warm and beautiful stone with unique colour and pattern characteristics which will compliment any home. Although travertine is a stone, it is, in its way delicate, being sensitive to acidic substances which may dull the polish easily. The care of travertine is important in keeping this wonderful enhancement to your home in the best possible condition.

The care of travertine is comparable to marble and limestone as they are of a similar composition in chemical and physical characteristics.

Travertine is an ancient mined stoned building material which is used today for indoor and outdoor travertine flooring, paving and building cladding. Care of travertine is not time consuming and depending on which travertine you choose being filled or unfilled, tumbled or polished once your travertine is sealed, maintenance should be relatively easy.

Special attention needs to be placed on the care and maintenance of your travertine tiles floor. Although travertine is a more hard-wearing floor material than most, it is still susceptible to damage if not treated properly. Acid based liquids such as wine and fruit juices can score the travertine’s surface if left to stand after spilling. If this occurs, rubbing the area with a fine grade emery paper will remove the damaged surface, allowing it to be resealed.

When caring for your travertine, it is best to vacuum, sweep, or dust mop your floor every few days to pick up dust and outside debris that can get ground into the surface which may dull the surface. Caring for your travertine floor this way will reduce the frequency you need to wash your floor as it will keep dirt and dust to a minimum.

A once a month wet wash should be included in the care for your travertine floor. After sweeping your travertine floor, you should wet wash using a mild ph soap solution, or a recommended cleaning solution (never use acidic or abrasive cleaners). This should be dissolved in warm water using a well wrung-out flat mop (a sponge, microfiber or chamois mop are gentle and can be easily wrung out to nearly dry and are more effective that traditional mops at gathering small dirt particles).

When caring for your travertine flooring, in time, you may begin to notice that the water doesn’t bead on the surface and may immediately soak into the stone. If this happens, it is then time to re-seal the floor with a penetrating stone sealer recommended for stone floors. As natural stone is porous to some degree it will be necessary for your floor to be sealed with a stone sealer which will help prevent spilt liquids penetrating the stone. Over time, the wax sealer will wear so in caring for your travertine floor it will periodically be necessary to re-seal your floor. Re-sealing of stone flooring in the home environment will be required every 5 to 7 years, depending on the amount of foot traffic and wear and tear.

A travertine floor is a thing of beauty, and with the right care and maintenance will give you many years of use. Travertine floor care goes a long way to getting the best from your floor. As with most valued possessions, your travertine floor should be treated with respect and, although not high maintenance, with a degree of tender loving care it will repay you back with a floor that will enhance your home, and look stunning for years to come.

About Travertine Tiles

By | Posted in: Stone Flooring, Travertine Flooring |

Travertine is formed by subterranean springs, underground rivers and other water sources which carry mineral elements that build up over long periods of time. When water with a high content of carbon dioxide seeps through limestone, the limestone will eventually dissolve leading to the release of a gas.  This process will result in re-crystallisation and the forming of algae, moss and other mineral debris.  The result is a rock often full of cavities with varying degrees of purity.  The purest Travertine is white but due to impurities is mostly yellowy brown.  Extremely porous Travertine is known as Calcareous Tuff.

Travertine was first discovered in Tivoli in the Lazio region of Italy and hence the name Travertine evolved from the Latin name for Tivoli stone which changed over the centuries to become Travertine.

Travertine takes thousands of years to evolve and is found around natural water sources such as lakes and valleys and was used widely during the middle-ages as an important building material.

Travertine was in great demand in the construction industry throughout Italy, Turkey and Greece  and has been used in many famous buildings including The Getty Centre in California, the Colosseum in Rome and the Sacre Coeur in Paris to name but a few.  All of this travertine was mined and imported from Tivoli.  Travertine is now more widely imported with the UK using this versatile stone extensively as a flooring material.

The unique qualities of Travertine make this an ideal material for floors and walls enhancing any décor from rustic to contemporary with a vast range of different colours, textures and finishes.  From the tumbled rustic unfilled to the honed glass-like finish of the vein cut there is a Travertine to suit everyone.
Due to its formation, Travertine has natural formed pitted holes which are either filled or left open in the factory depending of preference:

Honed Travertine Tiles

Honed travertine tiles will usually have their holes filled with an epoxy resin at the factory. This gives the stone a smooth, flat appearance with clean, even edges.

Tumbled Travertine Tiles

Tumbled travertine tile is used where a more rustic or natural look is desired. The “tumbled” finish gives a tile that has a worn face and edges, chipped corners and visible fissures.  Tumbled travertine is frequently left un-filled, meaning that its holes are intact. These holes should be filled with grout during the installation process. This protects the tile from filling up with debris and helps the stone to maintain its structural integrity.

The tiles are usually cut across the vein which enhances their natural colour and are suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms and also with under-floor heating.

travertine tiles

Types Travertine Tiles

By | Posted in: Stone Flooring, Travertine Flooring |

Travertine tiles have naturally formed pitted holes and troughs like Swiss cheese, which are factory-filled, site grouted or left open according to preference. A poor quality Travertine tile will be riddled with holes and very brittle. A good quality Travertine tile should have fewer and smaller holes. A good test is to tap the stone, a good quality Travertine tile should have a healthy clear ring to it. A poorer quality stone will generally sound dull. Travertine tiles can be polished, honed, tumbled, brushed, antiqued and patinated to create different looks. It is available in tile sizes for interior floors and walls plus slabs and sets for exterior use.

The main advantage of travertine is its beauty. The stone comes in many beautiful colours including ivory, beige, walnut, gold and even greys that can add to the beauty of any room. Travertine tiles are usually cut across the vein which creates the gentle swirls of colour. Here at Stone and Wood Shop we also offer vein cut Travertine which is cut along the grain and creates an unusual gently striped effect. When using vein cut stone you could create a chess board effect by alternating the direction of the vein when fitting. Take a look at some of our Travertine tiles to see the variation and quality we offer.

Now the scientific part

Travertine is a hard, semicrystalline form of calcium carbonate. Lime solution forms in flowing water of streams, rivers, particularly around waterfalls and hot or cold springs. This carbon dioxide-rich solution filters through earth and rocks, leaving them saturated in dissolved limestone. When the water eventually resurfaces, the sudden temperature change and pressure drop produces carbon dioxide gas, causing the limestone solution to recrystallise, often over micro-foliage. Gradually, the layers of mineral deposits harden into stone and so the process continues, giving travertine its banded appearance.

Travertine tiles are generally beige/ivory but many variations are available from silver/grey to coral red, caused by organic and/or mineral contamination.

The name “travertine” is a corruption of “tibur stone” (“lapis tiburnus”). Tibur, the Ancient Roman name for Tivoli (Italy) has extensive deposits of travertine. Romans used travertine as pseudo-marble, a good example being Rome’s Colosseum, which is largely constructed from travertine, as is the Getty Centre in Los Angeles.

limestone tiles

About Stone

By | Posted in: Limestone Flooring, Marble Flooring, Slate Flooring, Stone Flooring, Travertine Flooring |

Are you considering a natural stone floor or natural stone wall tiles for your home?

Anyone who has ever considered stone flooring or stone wall tiles will be aware of the vast choice available. Here are a few key points to consider while deciding to use natural stone flooring or natural stone wall tiles.

Budget

Stone flooring, on average, is a more expensive choice than say carpet or wood but chosen and installed correctly is far more durable. If stone flooring is maintained and cared for correctly you should never need worry about replacing it.

Stone tiles vary drastically in price. Beware of companies selling stone flooring and stone wall tiles at too good to be true prices. This stone will often be a very low grade which can be problematic to install and maintain. A poor quality stone floor can end up costing huge amounts of money to repair and major disruption to your home.

Here at Stone & Wood Shop we aim to provide top quality stone flooring and stone wall tiles at sensible prices. We may not always necessarily be the cheapest but aim to be unrivalled in value for money.

Advantages and benefits of Stone flooring

  1. Easy to clean – Natural stone flooring is very easy to care for with the correct products. A well installed stone floor in a normal domestic environment should need no more than a regular clean with a good quality Stone soap, our Lithofin Easy Care is the perfect product for this. The floor should be swept or vacuumed prior to mopping to remove any loose dirt or debris. Then simply mop over with a diluted care product. These soaps are designed to be left on the floor as they clean and also recondition the floor. Think of it like applying moisturiser to your hands. Once all of the soap on your mop has been used simply rinse the mop in clean water, pop back into the diluted care product and continue like this until your entire floor is cleaned.This simple cleaning routine should keep your stone floor pristine and in excellent condition. If you do notice your stone floor beginning to look ‘flat’ or more difficult to clean then the stone may require a re seal. Again this is a simple procedure and our Lithofin Power Clean and Lithofin Stain Stop are specially designed for this purpose. Please see our How to section for detailed instructions on this.
  2. Very durable – Stone by nature is an incredibly durable material. People often have the false opinion that it can be difficult to care for and this could not be further from the truth. We simply need to look at how long stone flooring has been widely in use to see that it is unrivalled in durability. You should ask yourself “how easy would it be to mop the carpet when it gets dirty”. The beauty of stone flooring is that it is hard wearing, water resistant and easy to care for. A good quality stone floor, installed correctly should last a lifetime, the perfect choice for any domestic or commercial situation.
  3. Aesthetically pleasing – There is no substitute for the beauty and complexity of natural stone flooring and natural stone wall tiles which ceramic and porcelain imitations cannot capture. The feel and appearance of natural stone is luxurious and elegant. No two stone floors will ever look exactly the same, each piece of stone is truly unique and will add class to any decor.

Stone is found in every colour, shape, size and finish you could ever possibly want. There will always be a stone out there which is perfect for the job.

Types of Stone

Once you have decided to have a stone floor you need to look at the many different types available. Some types of stone are more durable than other, some have a greater spectrum of colours and character but rest assured that there will be something to suit every project.

Marble floor tiles & marble wall tiles

Marble tiles are stunning and once finished, are very elegant and beautiful. There are many varieties of Marble in a huge array of colours. Marble can range from rich, dark and opulent blacks to delicious, luxurious caramels and coffees to striking iridescent silvers and any other colours imaginable in between. A truly classic, tasteful and expressive stone which will complement any style of decor.

Marble is an incredibly hard and durable stone, easily able to withstand the rigours of any situation. It is one of the oldest building materials and due to its outstanding durability, historic examples of marble work is still in existence. Despite its durability, Marble is a porous stone with fairly low stain resistance it is therefore imperative to ensure that it has been well sealed, installed correctly and is maintained with a good quality stone soap and care products. Our Lithofin Easy Care is the perfect regular cleaning product for your marble floor.

Many people have the pre conception that Marble tiles are very expensive and therefore often over look it. This is not true, Marble tiles, although slightly pricier than Travertine tiles and Slate tiles, do not have to be awfully expensive. There are some very good quality Marble tiles available at reasonable prices. Please see our selection of Marble floor tiles and Marble wall tiles.

Now the scientific part

It is a metamorphic rock composed of fairly pure calcite due to regional or contact metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks, either limestone or dolostone. This metamorphic process causes a complete recrystallisation of the original rock into an interlocking mosaic of calcite and/or dolomite crystals. The temperatures and pressures necessary to form marble usually destroy any fossils and sedimentary textures present in the original rock. The presence of swirls, linear patterns or banding is a key characteristic.

Pure white marble is the result of metamorphism of very pure limestones. The characteristic swirls and veins of many coloured marble varieties are usually due to various mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand, iron oxides, or chert which were originally present as grains or layers in the limestone. Green colouration is often due to serpentine resulting from originally high magnesium limestone or dolostone with silica impurities. These various impurities have been mobilized and recrystallised by the intense pressure and heat of the metamorphism.

Limestone floor tiles & limestone wall tiles

Limestone tiles are a wonderful material for flooring available in a wide array of colours and finishes. Limestone tiles can range from very pure white to blues and blacks. As a general rule the paler and cleaner the limestone the more porous it tends to be. Many people have the preconception that Limestone tiles can be difficult to maintain due to its porosity but this is simply not true. All natural stone tiles are porus but with the correct sealing and maintenance they will become durable and hard wearing.

Please take a look at some of the beautiful Limestone floor tiles and Limestone wall tiles available from our website.

Now the scientific part

Limestone is a Sedimentary rock composed of mineral calcite, formed by layers of skeletons and shells of dead marine organisms or creatures that lived in huge, warm seas and lakes millions of years ago. Inorganic precipitation of secondary calcite can add to the composition of limestone, similar to the formation of stalagmites and stalactites.

Colours range from grey to buff, light beige to dark brown, reds, greens, greys, blue/blacks, ochre/yellow to pink/orange pastel shades. Iron oxide impurities in limestone cause brown and yellow shading and organic matter gives dark-grey to black colours. A pure limestone is almost white.

Depending on its formation, limestone can be crystalline, granular, clastic, or very dense. Textures range from coarse to very fine grained. Limestone containing dolomite is generally harder and can be highly polished. Crystals of dolomite, quartz, calcite or barite as well as clay, silt, chert and flints are found in limestone.

Travertine floor tiles and Travertine wall tiles

Travertine has naturally formed pitted holes and troughs like Swiss cheese, which are factory-filled, site grouted or left open according to preference. A poor quality Travertine tile will be riddled with holes and very brittle. A good quality Travertine floor tile should have fewer and smaller holes. A good test is to tap the stone, a good quality Travertine floor tile should have a healthy clear ring to it. A poorer quality stone will generally sound dull. Travertine tiles can be polished, honed, tumbled, brushed, antiqued and patinated to create different looks. It is available in tile sizes for interior floors and walls plus slabs and sets for exterior use.

The main advantage of travertine tiles are their beauty. The stone comes in many beautiful colours including ivory, beige, walnut, gold and even greys that can add to the beauty of any room. Travertine tiles are usually cut across the vein which creates the gentle swirls of colour. Here at Stone and Wood Shop we also offer vein cut Travertine tiles which are cut along the grain and creates an unusual gently striped effect. When using vein cut tiles you could create a chess board effect by alternating the direction of the vein when fitting. Take a look at some of our Travertine floor tiles and Travertine wall tiles to see the variation and quality we offer.

Now the scientific part

Travertine is a hard, semicrystalline form of calcium carbonate. Lime solution forms in flowing water of streams, rivers, particularly around waterfalls and hot or cold springs. This carbon dioxide-rich solution filters through earth and rocks, leaving them saturated in dissolved limestone. When the water eventually resurfaces, the sudden temperature change and pressure drop produces carbon dioxide gas, causing the limestone solution to recrystallise, often over micro-foliage. Gradually, the layers of mineral deposits harden into stone and so the process continues, giving travertine its banded appearance. Travertine is generally beige/ivory but many variations are available from silver/grey to coral red, caused by organic and/or mineral contamination.

The name “travertine” is a corruption of “tibur stone” (“lapis tiburnus”). Tibur, the Ancient Roman name for Tivoli (Italy) has extensive deposits of travertine. Romans used travertine as pseudo-marble, a good example being Rome’s Colosseum, which is largely constructed from travertine, as is the Getty Centre in Los Angeles.

Slate floor tiles and Slate wall tiles

There are many different origins for Slate. The most superior slate is Brazilian which is dense, compact, extremely durable and hardwearing. Perfect for any flooring situation, even outside! Many companies also supply slate tiles from China, India and Africa. From experience we have found these to be far less durable, they also tend to be more uneven and rugged which can be uncomfortable underfoot. Slate is built up in layers and a lower quality slate can result in the flaking of these layers.

Slate tiles are generally found in darker colours such as grey, black, green and the dramatic multi coloured. It tends to be inexpensive although do beware of prices which appear too good to be true, these are often the less durable Chinese, Indian and African slates. Care should be taken when grouting, due to the texture of slate grout can collect on the stone and should be thoroughly cleaned after grouting.

Please take a look at the fantastic, high quality Brazilian slate floor tiles and Brazilian slate wall tiles we offer.

Now the scientific part

A fine grained, homogeneous sedimentary stone formed by a consolidation of clay, volcanic ash or shale which has built up in layers over millions of years. Slate is also subject to metamorphism, where organic matter and iron oxides are recrystallised and the rock takes on colours of minerals. The presence of swirls, linear patterns or banding is a key characteristic.

Slate can be uniform in colour, available in shades such as dark to light green, mottled purple, black, grey or dark red. Some slates can also be full of colour variation; chlorite gives green to yellow colours, organic matter shows as grey to black, iron oxides show as reds, oranges, purples & browns.

Unless its surface has been honed smooth, slate generally has a distinct cleft or riven face which will vary according to the density of the stone. Cheaper, less dense slate will vary enormously in tile thickness. A tight, dense slate cleaves in flat, almost smooth pieces.

Slate is incredibly durable, available in many tile and slab formats, plus mosaics and tumbled tiles for walls and floors. Slate is used extensively both indoors and outdoors.

limestone tiles

About Limestone Tiles

By | Posted in: Limestone Flooring, Stone Flooring |

Limestone Tiles – Are they right for flooring?

Limestone is a sedimentary rock of biochemical origin.  Its composition is mostly formed from the mineral calcite.  Although Limestone can be almost pure calcite, it is often filled with other minerals and sand which gives the name to dirty Limestone.  The calcite in Limestone derives from the remains of organisms which live on the bottom of the sea.  When such sea animals like clams, oysters, snails and corals, to name but a few, die, their shells accumulate into piles of shelly debris.  The build-up of this debris can then form beds of limestone.  Limestone may also derive from non-biogenic calcite formation, some being purely calcite but mostly includes a large amount of sand or silt.

Limestones form usually close to the source of shelly debris and Reefs are a great source for limestone creation.  Reefs have existed from the beginning of life and Stromatolites, which are complex living structures of more than one organism, formed the first reef like structure in the Cambrian Period.  Limestones are also formed in fresh-water environments associated with caves, springs and lakes.

The main three British Limestone are:

  1. Carboniferous Limestone.
    Originating mainly in the Peak District, Mendips and Yorkshire Dales.  It is a tough rock and commonly used as roadstone and cement making.
  2. Jurassic Limestone.
    Occurring in the Cotswolds and pale brown in colour, softer and more porous.  Used as building stones.
  3. Cretaceous Limestone.
    These are various chalks dominating from SE England, such as North and South Downs.  Generally too soft to use for building but used a lot in cement making.

Limestone is a natural stone and very similar to marble. Limestone tiles have been a favourite for flooring and wall tiles and are a perfect combination of durability and style being both economical and practical.  The different varieties and variations easily blend into whatever style you choose for your home being either traditional or contemporary.  Limestone can be granular, crystalline or very dense.  This gives a combination of textures from coarse to very fine grained.  Dolomite crystals in Limestone create a harder stone which can be highly polished.

The composition of Limestone gives a variety of different finishes and colours with the complex fossiling making each unique. From natural stone with different mottling and speckling through to golden browns and the finishes of the smooth honed to the rustic tumbled variety there is a limestone to suit every choice.  The versatility in colours taken from nature itself creates a wonderful look and feel to your tile which will bring each room to life.   As with all natural stone, Limestone tiles are porous but with the correct sealing and maintenance become very durable and hardwearing.  Limestone can be cut into tiles of any size to enhance layout or to suit a particular pattern preference which allows creativity and to give your home a very individual look.

Limestone flooring not only looks fantastic but can add great value to your home being competitively priced and can withstand the rigours of family life, is easy to clean making it the ideal choice addition to your home.

Find out more about using Limestone for flooring and get free samples.