QUESTION

Can Honed and Filled Travertine be used in Commercial Applications? - Is Honed & Filled Travertine suitable for being used in a commercial setting? We have an office bldg that installed some and the fill is pushing through.

ANSWER

ANSWER - The Marble Institute of America Dimension Stone Manual says Travertine stone should have a minimum abrasive hardness of 12 for commercial floors subject to heavy foot traffic. It must also meet the ASTM C1527 travertine physical property requirements in several categories to be considered a suitable travertine stone. Such as in compressive strength, flexural strength, density , absorption and abrasion.

So travertine tile can be used for commercial applications if it is durable enough and meets the ASTM C1527 physical property requirements, and has an abrasive hardness rating of at least 12. Not all travertine fill is produced well and some travertine have excess fill, which doesn't make it very desirable and makes it more problematic. The conditions of the stone application must be structurally soound and the stone installed correctly to ensure it will perform as intended.