The pool deck and outdoor living stone — warm, cool underfoot, and naturally beautiful.
Travertine is a form of terrestrial limestone deposited by mineral springs, particularly hot springs. Its characteristic voids (pores and channels) form as carbon dioxide escapes during deposition. The stone has been used for millennia — the Colosseum in Rome is built largely of travertine.
By the numbers
| Mohs hardness | 4–5 |
| Water absorption | 0.6% |
| Freeze-thaw | Excellent — rated |
| Density | 2.45 g/cm³ |
| Applications | Pool deck, patio, coping, veneer |
| Cost range | $7–15 / sq ft |
Surface options
Edges and surface abraded to a natural, aged look. Maximum slip resistance. Best for pool decks and patios.
Flat, matte surface. Popular for interior floors and walls. Requires sealing.
Voids pre-filled, then honed flat. Easiest to maintain. Most popular interior format.
Wire-brushed to create texture and depth. Good for exterior walls and feature applications.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- ✓ Stays cool in direct sun — best pool deck performance
- ✓ Natural slip resistance (tumbled/brushed finish)
- ✓ Resistant to salt and chlorine systems
- ✓ Elegant, warm Mediterranean aesthetic
- ✓ Easy to repair — individual pavers replaceable
- ✓ Good freeze-thaw performance (dense grades)
Considerations
- – Natural voids require filling — upkeep if fill degrades
- – Softer than granite (Mohs 4–5) — can chip on edges
- – Requires annual sealing outdoors
- – Polished finish not appropriate for wet/exterior use
- – Higher water absorption than granite (needs proper sealing)
Travertine — common questions
How to Maintain a Travertine Pool Deck
Seasonal maintenance schedule for travertine pool decks to ensure long-lasting beauty and safety.
Weekly rinse
Rinse the deck with fresh water (hose) weekly to remove salt, chlorine residue, sunscreen, and organic matter. This is especially important for salt-water pool systems, which accelerate surface deterioration if left on the stone.
Monthly cleaning
Clean with a pH-neutral stone and tile cleaner diluted per label directions. Use a stiff brush on grout lines. Rinse thoroughly. For biological growth (algae, mold), use an oxygen bleach solution, not chlorine bleach.
Inspect and refill voids
Inspect grout-filled voids annually. Freeze-thaw cycles or pool chemical exposure can degrade fill material over time. Re-grout any voids that have opened using matching colored grout.
Annual sealing
Apply a penetrating impregnator sealer formulated for exterior and wet environments before the end of summer or start of winter. Apply to clean, dry stone. Allow absorption (10 min), wipe excess, cure 24 hours before foot traffic.
Repair settled pavers
Travertine pavers installed on sand can shift or settle. Lifted or rocking pavers are a trip hazard. Re-set by removing the paver, adding or removing sand, and re-bedding in position. Polymeric sand fills joints and resists washout better than regular sand.
Where Travertine excels
Travertine price guide
The full Travertine price guide covers material vs. installed costs, regional pricing across all 6 US regions and Canada, format-specific breakdowns, and the top cost drivers for your project.
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