Below you will read a little bit about a real-life, hands-on example of how three types of different marbles have been used to beautify a small area in front of the entrance of a family home in Vienna – the blog picture on top shows the top view from the first floor.

This area is about 8m² in size facing NE with sunlight coming during the sunrise/morning hours and then again in the late afternoon and during sunset. A lot of trees from the surrounding garden provide cool and shadow during hot summer months. The terrace serves a dual purpose: beautifying the entrance area of the house, and providing a small relaxation area during the summer heat.

The marble tiles are laid out in a Greek pattern on top of a concrete foundation and screed, mixing Damasta and Argureios Helios and Olympos. These marbles survive typical Viennese winters without harm and stains, and without any special treatment. The specific tiles are polished ones, sized 30x30x2cm or cut to size to create a small step to the entrance door. Being polished, slip resistance is being reduced, however, not to the point of making them dangerous to step on when they are wet. A polished finishing in this environment creates the effect of nature being reflected in the shine of the stones as is visible in the picture on top: the trees of the garden are clearly visible.

With the follow-up project, the enclosing pathway of paving stones will be replaced to match the new look.

While these marbles are very forgiving in terms of maintenance, it is still recommended to clean them regularly to avoid long term effects of extended exposure to stain-causing substances. A bit more about marble maintenance can be read here: Marble Maintenance.

Up until 1980, Italy had almost monopolized the travertine market. Nowadays considerable amounts of premium quality rock are quarried from Turkey, and few other locations around the globe, making it more accessible worldwide.

Besides the captivating looks, travertine comes in a variety of warm, natural hues, from ivory, beige and cream, to dark brown, gold and walnut. For both interior and exterior decoration, it fits perfectly to both rustic and contemporary designs. Whether it’s used for driveways, walkways, pavers, walls or indoor decoration, when installed correctly it is bound to deliver longevity and style.

Did you know?
That one of the most famous buildings in the world – The Colosseum is built almost entirely out of travertine? Romans had commonly used it as a building material for many of their well-known structures, such as baths, aqueducts, amphitheatres and temples.

So, is travertine for outdoor terraces a good choice?
Travertine is a suitable building material for both indoor and outdoor projects. The most common indoor applications are bathrooms, stairs, floors, or kitchen countertops. Exterior applications often are patios, driveways, walkways, pool decks, terraces and many more. It is also commonly used in the form of mosaic pieces, from which a skilled artisan can create a terrace centrepiece of your choice, adding a unique touch to the décor of your household.

The distinctive trait of travertine is the porous surface, with plenty of holes, due to the nature of rock’s formation. These suggest that the material may be prone to wear-and-tear, especially outdoors in subzero temperatures. However, this isn’t the case, since the surface of travertine tiles, used for outdoor travertine terraces, are filled, and honed if need be. You can quickly determine the quality of tiles by the amount of filling used since the filling is always the same colour and easily discerned. Less filling equals better product quality. Unsealed travertine tiles are also commonly used outdoors, usually around pool areas, where a water-absorbing and slip-resistant surface is preferred.

To avoid cracks at ground floor outdoor projects travertine tiles measuring at least 1/2” or thicker are recommended. Mortar bed is necessary for correct installation of 3/8” or thinner tiles.

What about marble? Why should I decide to build an outdoor travertine terrace instead?
The first and most obvious reason is the cost/benefit factor. Travertine is approximately 50% cheaper than marble; hence, it is a better choice for larger-scale projects such as outdoor decoration. Even if the cost is not an issue when you consider exposure to the elements (travertine is freeze/thaw proof), the possibility of chipping or scratching, travertine is a more durable material.

Probably the best trait of outdoor areas covered with travertine is that its surface of the material doesn’t retain heat, so even when on a scorching summer day it remains cool to the touch. The variety of colours, but also surface finishes – chiselled, polished or filled and honed – ensure you will find a suitable combination for a captivating outdoor terrace.