Limestone and travertine are very similar building materials, as travertine is technically a type of limestone. When it comes to projects, both are perfect choices for your pool coping Oklahoma and flooring. The similarities between the two may make it difficult to choose between purchasing travertine or limestone. Knowing more about their differences can help you make your decision.
The Difference Between Travertine and Limestone
The primary difference between limestone and travertine begins with where and how they are formed. Limestone is typically a product of marine environments, created over millions of years as shells, fossils, and other calcium-carbonate-rich materials are compacted by immense pressure on the floors of oceans and lakes.
In contrast, travertine is formed on land, often around mineral hot springs, where calcite is rapidly deposited. This process traps gas and water, creating travertine’s porous surface, making it less dense than most limestones.
Key Differences in Appearance and Texture
While both are beautiful natural stones, their visual and tactile qualities are quite different, which is often the deciding factor for homeowners and designers looking for stone flooring and pool coping Oklahoma.
- Travertine’s Rustic Character. Travertine is known for its naturally pitted and porous surface, which creates a rustic, textured feel. Its appearance is often fibrous with a warm color palette of ivory, beige, and gold, giving it a classic, Old World character.
- Limestone’s Classic Uniformity. Texas limestone in Oklahoma and other limestone varieties typically have a more uniform and fine-grained texture. While some feature fossils, many offer a cleaner look in a broad color palette—from whites and grays to charcoal—making limestone highly versatile for both traditional and modern designs.
Choosing Stone For Your Pool Area: Stone Pool Coping and Decks
When designing a pool area, it’s helpful to understand its two main components. The pool deck is the large surrounding surface for walking and lounging, while pool coping Oklahoma is the specific capstone installed on the pool’s edge, providing a safe, finished border.
Travertine stays cool underfoot in direct sun and can absorb water, which can help keep the pool area dry. However, this can also become a disadvantage. Water that the stone absorbs will freeze during cold weather, creating cracks.
Cracking due to water absorption is not as much of a risk with limestone due to its density and porosity. Likewise, while limestone can feel warmer in the sun, selecting lighter-colored options helps significantly in reflecting heat. It is also easier to clean and can withstand staining better than travertine.
Both limestone and travertine come in beautiful natural tones that are ideal for stone pool coping and a pool deck. Your decision should be based on the stone’s durability as well as how much time you are willing to spend on maintenance.
What About Flooring?
When deciding between limestone and travertine flooring, you need to consider each stone’s durability and maintenance. Travertine is more porous than limestone, making it more susceptible to cracking, especially during extreme weather conditions. While the cracks can be filled with resin, it may separate.
The natural density of Texas limestone in Oklahoma means that it is the more durable material of the two. This is especially important considering that both freezes and heat waves occur in Oklahoma. If you decide to seal your flooring stones, limestone’s lower porosity means that you will not have to seal it as often as travertine.
Making Your Final Decision
Choosing between the classic durability of limestone and the textured character of travertine depends on your project’s specific needs. At Richburg Stone, we have decades of experience helping homeowners and builders make these important selections. Our selection includes high-quality limestone, and we can provide expert guidance on which stone varieties will best meet the demands of your project, from flooring to stone pool coping.
The best way to make a final decision is to see the options in person. We invite you to visit our Oklahoma City showroom to explore our extensive inventory and discuss your project with our team. Let us help you find the right natural stone for your project.
