FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS!
What’s the
difference between tiles and pavers?
Travertine
is cut from the earth in huge blocks, and then cut down
into tiles or pavers, in two ways:
Cross cut – The
tile is cut along the grain of the stone leaving a more
horizontal look.
Vein Cut - The tile
is cut against the grain for a more mottled or (tiger)
striped effect.
Travertine tiles
– are offered in multiple sizes and patterns including
18x18, 16x16, 12x12, French Pattern and other
accessories of varying sizes. Typically tile is 5/8 or ½
inch thick and come in 4 main finishes: honed and
filled, brushed and chiseled, tumbled
and can be polished to a high gloss Travertine
tile can be used for indoor flooring, wall covering and
even counter tops. Tile can also be used as outdoor
flooring but should be installed over permanent or
sturdy substrates such as a concrete patio or other hard
surfaces. Another functional use for travertine tiles is
wall cladding for the outer wall of you home or
building increasing the home protection and beauty.
Tiles:
Honed and Filled – for
interior use
Brushed and Chiseled-
outdoor and indoor use,
Polished- indoor use. (Not
recommended for wet areas such as shower floors)
Travertine Pavers - are made specifically for: outdoor use, ultra high traffic areas, wet areas, outdoor patios, pools decking, driveways, walkways and on and on. They are ideal for pool or remodeling projects. A paver made from travertine adds to home value vs. the commonly over-looked brick pavers. Travertine pavers have the natural ability to withstand extremes in weather, because they resist freeze and thaw condition and also do not retain heat. They come in many sizes as well such as 24x24 and 12x12. The most popular pavers are offered in the French or Versailles Pattern as well as 6x12 and can be laid in various designs and be installed properly by several methods depending on the conditions of the area to receive the materials. Like travertine tile, travertine pavers come in 2 standard finishes: Tumbled, Brushed and Chiseled.
Pavers:
Brushed and Chiseled-
outdoor, driveway decks
Tumbled- pool decks and
patio. (Best “finish” choice for wet areas)
Where does
Travertine Warehouse get their travertine tiles and
pavers? – Our travertine is mined from quarries
in Turkey. Travertine Warehouse enjoys exclusive access
to most of the products we carry. Which is why we can
offer low prices and quality products.
What is the
difference between tile and pavers? The main
difference is in the thickness of the product itself.
Tile is typically 5/8 or ½ inch thick. Pavers are 1 ¼
inch thick. Tile is used more for the interiors and
pavers are mostly used outdoors in high activity areas
or areas that are exposed to the elements.
Where would I use
Travertine? Travertine is a sturdy and durable
building material that can be used indoors outdoors and
can withstand inclement weather and active home
environments.
Can I get travertine
tile and travertine pavers in the same color and finish?
Yes many of our travertine tiles and pavers are made in
the same color and finish for those who want to color
coordinate their indoor and outdoor floor covering.
What does the
finished surface of the travertine tile/pavers look
like?
There are four typical
finishes for travertine stone:
-
Honed and Filled - the very small holes in the face surface of tile is filled, then sanded to create a smooth and matte finish
- Brushed and Chiseled - Wire brushes are passed over the surface of the tile and the top edging of the tile face is chipped or "chiseled" for a more rustic finish used to give a more textured appearance.
- Tumbled - The tiles are literally tumbled in gravel and small smooth stones to create a softer, aged appearance and rounded edges.
- Polished - The tile is smoothed and buffed to a high shiny gloss.
How will my tile be
shipped? We ship your material packed in 4x4x4
standard crates for protection. Travertine Warehouse is
partnered with some of the most highly reputable names
in freight and shipping industry. We can ship the
material directly to your residence or jobsite and have
it off-loaded as well. Although most deliveries are
typical, subtle differences may apply to you depending
on the location and conditions of the delivery site. But
don’t worry your Travertine Warehouse rep is experienced
in shipping tile all over the US on a daily basis and
will apprise you of all of the important details of your
delivery. Delivery usually arrives within 3-4 business
days from the date of sale.
What if my tile is
damaged? Travertine Warehouse has one of the
best damage return policies in the business. We will
replace all damaged, unusable tile from 10% or more of
your total order at our expense. Once your tile arrives
please check the material for damage. If you have
damaged tile report this to your Travertine Warehouse
representative as soon as possible, we will begin the
simple claim process immediately and have your tile
replaced quickly.
Is there a minimum?
Travertine Warehouse does not impose a minimum on in
stock materials.
Should my tile be
sealed? It is recommended that your tile or
paver be sealed with a natural stone sealer for added
protection, ease of cleaning and long term appearance
retention.
How do I get
samples? Our samples are FREE!!! Just call your
Travertine Warehouse rep today. They will take your name
and address, we ask that you pay a nominal UPS fee for
shipping and handling only. You should receive your
sample within 3- 4 business days. Over night delivery is
available upon request.
What do I need to
know to make a purchase?
When calling in to get a
quote or make a purchase please be prepared to offer the
following information:
1. What products are you
interested in? Size? Color? Finish?
2. The amount of material
you want to purchase.
3. Any accessories you
want to compliment your order.
4. Billing information:
both ship to, bill to: name, address, phone and /or
email.
5. The form of payment. We
accept Visa, MasterCard, Wire Transfer or Check
6. We will send you a
formal proposal for materials and delivery as well as a
credit card authorization form. These documents must be
signed and returned for your protection and to complete
the order process.
Does Travertine Warehouse stock inventory or do we need to special order our travertine? yes both- TW boasts one of the largest inventories of travertine tile paver and other natural stone of well more then 2.5 million at any given time kept in our Florida warehouses under the proper conditions for quality control and immediate distribution.
Does Travertine Warehouse stock inventory or do we need to special order our travertine? yes both- Travertine Warehouse boasts one of the largest inventories of travertine tile / paver as well as other natural stone products, of well over 2.5 million at any given time kept in our Florida warehouses under the proper conditions for quality control and immediate distribution.
Does travertine tile and paver come in different colors shapes and sizes? Yes. Because of the huge range of natural products we offer, we can supply you virtually any and all colors that nature itself has created. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of combinations in colors and textures available including, but not limited to REDS, ORANGES, CARAMEL, IVORY, BLUES, CREAM, AND ON AND ON....
The textures offered also range from : Polished- Tumbled-Honed-Chiseled- Matte -Brushed-Fired-Metallic- Pitted- Vein Cuts (horizontal and vertical).
We inventory all the standard sizes : 1x1, 2x2, 4x4 6x6. 4x12 , 6x6. 12x12 16x16 18x18 24x24 French pattern and more .....But that's just the beginning. You can always request a custom ( size ) tile or paver order to meet your project specifications, for many of our products.
Why can Travertine Warehouse sell their products for so much less then what I typically see advertised?
Travertine Warehouse is a family business who owns financial interests in many of the quarries we import our material from, including : Turkey and Europe The material is shipped directly to our warehouse as ready inventory so that you can purchase directly from us, thereby eliminating any broker or reseller fees.
We encourage our customers to shop around and then check us out. You can verify us as a legitimate Florida corporation through such state licensed websites such as Sunbiz.org. which will show our CORPORATE IDENTITY ; license, physical location, showroom warehousing and scope of operations which lend to our legitimacy . You can even see our operating warehouses and showrooms by using GOOGLE EARTH to see the scope of our facilities.... Please click here and here
to see our 2 facilities. You may want to do the same for anyone you shop with. This may help you to choose the type of business you can trust to be available and provide you with the service you are paying for long after your sale is completed.
How much does it cost to ship tile or paver? Shipping costs vary due to the following: location and distance of shipment, weight, class of materials, federal fuel surcharges and the conditions of the delivery environment. Because there are so many variables it is best to contact us and allow our specialist to negotiate your rates for you. Since we ship thousands of square footage in materials every day for 7 years. WE HAVE BOTH THE RELATIONSHIPS AND INFLUENCE TO FIND THE BEST RATE AND VALUE FOR YOU DOLLAR. However we are able to work with any shipper you may prefer or utilize yourself.
What precautions does SM take to make sure my materials are delivered in prime condition? because we are an importer, all of our material is received packed properly in crates from the manufacturer for the long journey over seas We rarely remove the material from the crates, stack or re stack them...we minimize the movement of the material as much as possible so that your material arrives to you in pristine conditions.
In addition, prior to shipment each crates is given a Hands -On Inspected for any potential problems and to make sure the color texture and quality. Then as an addition precaution we wrapped the crate with industrial grade plastic sheeting to minimize any movement during the shipping process from us to your door.
How much if any breakage should I expect once my material is received?With many smaller items such as mosaics, and other in boxed format you can expect almost no breakage. The same can be said of the small pavers ...4x9 or 6x12 .
As for your larger, industry standards say to allow for up to 10% But this 10% includes : chipped corners, small hairline cracks or damage to the edges...the real number for damage UNUSABLE TILE IS LESS THEN 4%.
Is my tile insured during shipping? Yes! We use only the most reputable national freight companies to transport our material directly to you. Each Company provides insurance for any damage incurred during the shipping process. That is why your tile is inspected twice by us before we ship directly to your home or jobsite.
What do I do if my material is damaged upon receipt? Once your material arrives .We recommend that you make at least a cursory inspection of the tile before you accept the delivery. If this is not possible please try to inspect it within 48 hours and prior to installation. In addition to the insurance guaranteed by the shipping company Stonemart also adds an incomparable DAMAGE RETURN POLICY of our own, which is STATED IN YOUR PURCHASING AGREEMENT FOR YOUR PROTECTION in which we will replace any /all damaged tile /paver that is deemed unusable from 10% or more of your total square footage.
You state that your products are "sustainable"..what does that mean? "Sustainable" in the context of building materials (in this case finish materials), "sustainability" is a term typically meant to describe materials that reflect Eco -friendly attributes.
Is travertine sustainable? Yes! Travertine tile/paver is a natural product mined from the earth and therefore is inherently Eco-friendly with no man-made additions or attributes, no chemicals no additives. Travertine does not rot, break down or crumble, therefore will not contribute any particulate pollution to the immediate environment or water table. Travertine is considered sustainable in that through proper application and minimal care such as periodic cleaning and sealing, travertine will retain it's appearance thus by definition is considered a renewable product which has a virtually (infinite) life cycle, especially relative to other building materials. This fact lends itself toward the lessening of the depletion in natural resources from which the travertine came, as well as natural resources in general .
