Travertine
Travertine is a type of limestone, not marble. It forms when calcium carbonate comes out of mineral-rich water quickly, often at hot springs or in caves. That fast formation leaves it naturally porous, which is why travertine tile is sold filled or unfilled. SoCal Tiles sells travertine in ivory, gold, brown and silver lines.
- Color
- Ivory and cream through gold, walnut and noce browns, to silver-grey
- Geological type
- A type of limestone (not marble), formed by rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate from waterSource: Travertine, Wikipedia
- Porosity
- Naturally porous; fresh travertine ranges from about 10% to 70% porosity (a geological figure, not a measurement of any tile)Source: Travertine, Wikipedia
- Structure
- Typically lacks planes of weakness; light in weight for its strengthSource: Travertine, Wikipedia
- Acid sensitivity
- Calcareous: acids such as lemon or vinegar can dull or etch the surfaceSource: Natural Stone Institute, Care & Cleaning of Natural Stone
- Finishes at SoCal Tiles
- Tumbled, Honed, Filled & Honed, Unfilled, Split-Faced (varies by line)
SoCal Tiles carries
SoCal Tiles sells these travertine lines: Ivory (Light), Durango Cream, Philadelphia, Latravonya, Gold/Yellow, Scabos, Valencia, Walnut, Noce, Noce Exotic and Silver Pewter Blend. Finishes vary by line: Tumbled, Honed, Filled & Honed, Unfilled and Split-Faced. Most tiles and mosaics can be ordered as a sample from the product page; trim, coping, paver and ledger pieces are sold full size only.
About Travertine
Limestone, not marble. Travertine is classified as a type of limestone, not marble. It is sometimes called "travertine marble" or "travertine limestone," but those names describe the same stone. It is a sedimentary rock that forms when calcium carbonate comes out of water quickly, most often at the mouth of a hot spring or in a limestone cave, where it can also form stalactites and stalagmites.
Marble forms differently: limestone is transformed by heat and pressure over geologic time. See the Marble family page.
Filled or unfilled. Because travertine is porous, tiles are sold two ways. Filled tiles have their surface holes filled for a smoother face. Unfilled tiles leave them open for texture. See Filled vs Unfilled Travertine.
Good to know
Travertine is commonly used for indoor flooring, outdoor patios, spa walls and ceilings, façades and wall cladding. Dense travertine takes a polish well as a decorative stone. The Romans used it widely. The Colosseum is the largest building in the world constructed mostly of travertine. Whether a particular tile suits a particular room depends on the product, so check its product page or ask SoCal Tiles.
Caring for natural stone: read our stone care guide.
Compare
Common questions
Is travertine the same as limestone?
Travertine is a type of limestone, formed quickly at hot springs or in caves rather than by the slower processes that form other limestones. It is not marble.
Why does travertine have holes?
Travertine is naturally porous. Filled travertine has its surface holes filled for a smoother face; unfilled travertine leaves them open. See Filled vs Unfilled Travertine.
Does travertine need special care?
Like marble, it is calcareous, so acids such as lemon or vinegar can etch it. Clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner. Sealing adds stain resistance but does not prevent etching. See the stone care guide.
Sources
- Travertine, Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-09-24)
- Natural Stone Institute, Care & Cleaning of Natural Stone (retrieved 2026-09-23)
- SoCal Tiles product catalog: travertine (retrieved 2026-09-21)