Travertine is one of those paving materials that manages to bring an ethereal, earthy and elegant feel to your space, all at once. But before you start choosing its soothing shades and style, there is one thing you must know. Not all Travertine stones look and feel the same.
In fact, there’s a clear difference between the various grades of this natural stone. Wondering what makes one stone different from another? Read on to find out!
Understanding Travertine Grades
Let’s start by looking at the three different grades of Travertine stone. It’s a well-known fact that this natural stone has a porous surface, but the number of pores determines its quality. The more porous the stone, the lower its quality. That’s why Travertine is generally classified into three grades based on porosity.
- Premium: Minimal pores, high durability, looks more high-end and easier to clean
- Commercial: Some inconsistencies and moderate porosity
- Substandard: Heavy pores, inconsistent colouring and poorly cut
Porosity is a huge factor here. As mentioned before, the more porous the stone, the lower the quality. Travertine naturally has pores, but in substandard quality, these pores are excessive, making it more fragile, more absorbent and harder to maintain. Stone experts and designers highly recommend only Premium Travertine Paving Tiles and Pavers.
Why You Should Not Choose Substandard Travertine?
It might be less expensive upfront, but substandard Travertine can turn into a costly mistake over time.
- Highly porous stone absorbs moisture, dirt and even liquids
- Filler materials are often used to patch holes and they can break down or fall out with wear
- Chipping and cracking are more common due to structural weakness
- Uneven colouring makes the overall space feel mismatched and messy
It might look fine at first, but a few months in, you will notice fading, watermarks or edges starting to crumble, especially in wet or high-traffic areas.
Why Premium Travertine Paving Tiles Are Worth the Investment?
When you choose premium Travertine, you are not just buying stone, but you are also choosing quality that lasts. With fewer holes, premium stone:
- Repels moisture more effectively
- Holds its structure and strength for years
- Far easier to clean and seal
- Delivers a consistent, luxurious look
Whether you are walking barefoot across your outdoor space or cleaning your living room, you will notice the difference. Premium Travertine Paving Tiles and Pavers just feel better underfoot and perform better for ages.
Spaces Where You Use Premium Quality Travertine
Your property deserves the best, which is why only premium stone is the right choice for you. Now, let’s see where you can lay Travertine tiles and pavers.
Outdoor Areas
In places like patios, backyards, gardens, pool surrounds or pathways, stone needs to endure sun, rain and everything in between. High porosity means water can sink in and cause damage over time. Premium-grade Travertine pavers stay intact, even with seasonal weather changes.
Indoor Areas
Living rooms, bedrooms, open-air spaces and more are some of the common indoor areas where you can beautifully install Premium Travertine Paving Tiles. You can also try different formats like traditional paving, crazy paving and French pattern paving, matching your design theme.
Walling
Travertine isn’t just for floors. You can use it for stunning wall features too. Accent walls, bathroom walls, kitchen splashbacks, outdoor retaining walls or even fireplace surrounds are some of the best spaces for adding a natural feel. Premium-quality Travertine walling works beautifully with both modern and classic Aussie architecture styles.
Design Tip: Silver Travertine French Pattern Tiles are some of the trendiest materials of 2025 that can help you bring an elegant and royal feel to your space without overwhelming other design elements.
Picking the Right Supplier
If you want to avoid the substandard stone, the supplier you choose matters just as much as the stone itself.
You should always look for the following qualities while picking any stone supplier.
- Clear labelling of stone grades
- Willingness to provide samples
- Knowledge of how the stone is sourced
- Honest advice on which variety of Travertine suits your space best
Trusted suppliers like Stone Depot offer only Premium Travertine Paving Tiles and Pavers, ethically sourced from the largest quarries across the globe. Their products are inspected to ensure long-term performance. They won’t try to pass off commercial or substandard tiles as premium and they will guide you through the selection with no fluff.
Conclusion
Your stone choice shouldn’t be an afterthought. If you are aiming for a luxe feel that lasts for years, premium-grade Travertine is the only way to go.
Don’t fall for the low-price label of substandard stone. It may cost you more in repairs and upkeep than you would expect. With Premium Travertine Paving Tiles and Pavers, you are getting a surface that stands out.
You don’t need to be an expert in natural stone to make the right call. Just keep one thing in mind, the fewer the pores, the better the stone.
