Travertine Services

A large majority of people are of the opinion they have travertine marble. However, travertine is a different stone from marble and has its own unique properties and metrics. Travertine is a sedimentary stone that is naturally found in and near freshwater hot springs and comes in a wide range of warm earth tones. On the other hand, marble іѕ created when the sedimentary stone (limestone or trаvеrtіnе) is exposed to heat and pressure over a long period. The stone undergoes a metamorphosis; it recrystallizes and becomes denser and harder. Courtesy of Seafstone.

Travertine Restoration Process

There are several different levels of travertine restoration and your own unique circumstances and budgetary concerns may dictate which level of restoration suits you best. With more and more frequency Orlando Stone Works receives calls where lippage is of great concern. Lippage refers to uneven surfaces that occurs when stone is not laid to a uniform level.

The industry typically considers anything over 1/64 inch to be unacceptable. Lippage is almost without exception the result of poor installation. Many factors can contribute to this. For example, the substrate that the travertine was laid on can influence this, how was the thin set mixed, was the back of the tile “buttered” etc.

A travertine tile floor that has been “delipped” will make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your home or business. The grinding of the travertine is achieved with metal bonded diamond pads which coarsely grind way at the travertine leaving it flat or “delipped”. The next step is to repeat this process with finer grit diamond pads. Almost without exception when grinding there will be holes opened in the process. Orlando Stone Works is able to fill an entire floor [or random tiles] with either a form of grout [aka Traverfill] or a polyester resin to blend in with the color scheme of the floor.

Where we stop the diamond abrasive process is dictated by your choice of finish. Example, matte, medium hone, high hone, polished etc.

Grinding will:

• Smooth uneven tiles (lippage)
• Remove deep gouges
• Remove trip hazards
• Remove most imperfections
• Restore the natural shine of the stone
• Restore the natural color of the stone

Travertine Honing

Honing travertine is much less aggressive than the grinding process discussed above. Honing will remove minor imperfections, surface scratches and most etching. A honed travertine tile typically ranges from a low hone [matte finish], to a medium [400 diamond grit producing a medium sheen], all the way to high hone which has a great deal of reflectivity. Orlando Stone Works decades of experience and training will be able to guide you in the decision making process based on your unique circumstances. Use or decades of experience to your advantage.

Travertine Polishing

If you prefer the polished appearance of your travertine tile floor or other surface we can handle that for you, too. Our Diamond Polishing Service along with our polishing compound can provide a high gloss finish. The amount of fill, open pores, and any blade marks will affect the uniformity of higher shines on travertine. With the wide range of colors in travertine, a polished surface in the right circumstances can enhance your home or business decor.

Travertine Cleaning

Orlando Stone Works cleaning of your travertine most often employs the use of our hot water extraction unit. This coupled with the use of our trusted surfactants will achieve the most desirable results for your travertine and other natural stone. Achieving a neutral pH [7.0] for your travertine is what we accomplish for you. As a consequence, you will notice your travertine staying cleaner longer. We also achieve getting your travertine grout restored to a like new condition or can replace it where needed. Our Technician will be able to answer questions unique to your situation.

Travertine Grout Haze Removal

Travertine grout haze removal is caused during installation or during a re-grout process. The grout haze is merely a result of the individual(s) grouting not taking the necessary steps to wipe the excess grout of the tiles. This is most often compounded by not keeping clean sponges or water during the process. In certain cases, we have a propriety process that can clean the grout haze off. In other cases, the grout haze removal process will require honing.

Travertine Sealer

Orlando Stone Works uses a high grade penetrating [impregnating] solvent based sealer to properly seal your travertine tile floors and other surfaces. Travertine, Onyx, Marble and Limestone are all prone to etching. Our sealing process will minimize these issues. Never do we use a topical sealer and we strongly discourage you to use any sealer that claims it will restore a shine or provide a gloss or otherwise change the appearance of the travertine finish [excluding an enhancer].

Contact Us Today!

If your goal is to restore or maintain your travertine surfaces to reflect the beauty they once possessed, call Orlando Stone Works today at 407-258-1190 or click here to receive your free quote.

A List of Our Professional Services Include:

• Cleaning
• Sealing
• Polishing
• Grinding (Lippage Removal)
• Refinishing/ Honing/ Resurfacing (Surface Scratches and Etch Removal)
• Restoration
• Hole and Crack Repair
• Etch and Stain removal