Finishes of Travertine

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Color & Veining of Travertine    Cleaning & Protection of Travertine

Travertine surfaces may be finished in a number of ways. Typical finishes are as follows:

Polished: 

A glossy surface which brings out the full color and character of the travertine. 

Honed: 

A satin smooth surface with little or no gloss.

Smooth: 

Smooth finish, with minimum of surface interruption.

Plucked: 

A rough texture.

Abrasive: 

A flat non-reflective surface.

Sawn: 

A comparatively rough surface; can be chat, shot, sand, or diamond.

Sand blasted, shot ground and bush hammered are other surface finishes that are available.

Some stone finishes can affect strength and durability. Examples are brush hammered and thermal finishes which initially reduce a stone's thickness and also make's it more vulnerable to weakening from exposure to freeze and thaw cycles.

(The type of finish desired bears some relationship to final cost.)

Reference: Dimensional Stone Design Manual, Marble Institute of America

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