Turkey has everything you'll ever need in natural stone. Part 2: Travertine and limestone

What is the difference between travertine and limestone? What are the ideal areas of use for these stones? Both limestone and travertine are basically formed by the same process, where the shells of dead aquatic creatures deposit on the sea, river and lake beds. The shells are compacted over time and form calcium carbonate. Both are organic sedimentary rocks by geological definition. Travertine is a preliminary stage of limestone that is formed without the high pressure and heat that ultimately forms limestone. Limestone is a much harder and less porous stone. Both stone types have their own uses and their pros and cons, which we will go over in more detail here.

Choice of colors is one of the main considerations in any building or remodeling project. Turkish limestone is perfectly suited for modern, airy and light interior and outdoor schemes. It comes in  bright, white and champagne shades and the colors are consistent throughout the stone. Travertine on the other hand tends towards a darker palette, with stronger streaks. The lightest shades of travertine are close to limestone. As a porous sedimentary rock, travertine has a color palette of earthy tones such as gold, brown, red, tan, ivory, grey, green etc. The color of travertine is affected by its iron compounds and other organic impurities. Travertine is perfect for creating a calm Zen-like ambiance in living spaces.

The pricing of the stone is another important criteria when choosing a stone type. Travertine is an affordable option in the natural stone range. Turkey has massive deposits of travertine and a high production capacity. The quality of the stone is also high, making it a very competitive choice compared to some other producers worldwide. In fact, it is estimated that around 30% of the world’s travertine deposits are in Turkey. Limestone is higher in price but the initially higher cost is justified by limestone’s longer life span and lower maintenance costs. Being a harder stone that is not filled with resin like travertine usually is, limestone lasts longer. Especially in areas of high traffic and extreme weather fluctuations, limestone is worth investing in. 

Areas of use are practically the same with travertine and limestone but it is worth taking into consideration that with travertine more maintenance is needed and it will not live up to the durability of limestone. In harsh weather conditions travertine is best to be used only indoors. It can even be installed in floors but a regular sealing process should be maintained every 3-4 months. Travertine is at its best in walls and backsplashes, where it can also be used unfilled and unpolished, to create a warm and earthy look. While unsealed travertine is more prone to staining and wear, its darker color tends to hide the blemishes fairly well. We would recommend travertine for dry areas on the walls in any of the various finishes, from high polished to split face. Travertine looks amazing around fireplaces and in backsplashes. It can be considered as an option for wood, or used together with wood, as they both have the same inviting warmth. 

Limestone is an excellent choice also for outdoor use, as it has high temperature tolerance and is not porous. It can be used for outdoor pools as well as indoor wet areas such as pools and bathrooms. Limestone has more grip and it reflects less sun. It can be used in outdoor conditions with water, heat and harsh winters. Limestone can also be installed with underfloor heating, whereas resin filled travertine should not. It can take the wear and tear over decades and still look good, although also limestone should be periodically resealed. Unsealed limestone can be used on walls. 

Limestone varieties in Turkey all tend to be homogenous and consistent. The grain size is medium or big. Most of the limestone is being quarried in the Antalya area, where there are around half a dozen nig size quarries. The total production capacity is estimated to be around 100 000 m3 per year. Different companies tend to give individual names to the limestone they quarry and this helps to distinguish between the minor differences in appearance of different varieties.For example Limra is a classic Mediterranean white limestone with a light sesame-like speckle in the background. Its color is consistent, making it ideal for clean contemporary bathrooms. Champagne limestone is a very light creamy white limestone that has tiny golden fossil segments in it. This variety is lovely for subtle light color schemes where a touch of warmth is required. 

Travertine varieties are plentiful but perhaps the most well known and most widely used are the brown varieties. Noce travertine has a lovely caramel brown color. In fact, this travertine was used as a dark accent in the ancient constructions of the Ottoman era. Its shade can range from a creamy light brown to chocolate brown. It can have hints of gold, red and also grey in it. Silver travertine is a very specific type of travertine that presents a unique grey or silver color. It is not a mainstream material in terms of travertine options but it has seen a rise in popularity worldwide in recent years as a fantastically versatile stone type.