Travertine

Our job

On the travertine pool deck we laid vein-cut, sawn along the layers, which gives those long grey and beige bands leading the eye to the pool. We don't sell travertine slabs at the workshop.

Filled or unfilled

Unfilled, the holes stay open. It's more rustic and gets dirty quicker. Filled, the holes are packed with tinted cement or resin and ground smooth, so it's easier to clean. Indoors we recommend filled and honed. Outdoors, both have their case.

Frost

Frost resistance varies a lot between batches, so we ask for the frost test result before laying outside. On clay ground that moves between a dry summer and a wet winter, we want a reinforced concrete slab under the screed. A fall of 1 to 2% takes water away from the house and the pool, and 3 to 5 mm joints packed full keep water from getting under the stone. Don't use de-icing salt on it. In March, after the first winter, we check the fillers and joints and redo anything that's moved.

Round the pool

It stays cooler in the sun than a dark stone. Tumbled or brushed, it grips well under wet feet, avoid polished. Coping is 3 cm with a rounded or square nose. Outside we lay it at 3 cm on screed, inside at 2 cm bonded.

What we advise against

A travertine kitchen worktop. It absorbs and acid marks it, granite or quartzite will give you less trouble.

Care

Neutral soap, reseal depending on exposure. A filler that pops out is redone on the spot, no need to change the tile.

See pool coping and stone paving, or call 07 45 20 76 39.