Exploring the Differences: Bluestone VS Travertine Pavers

In Australia, bluestone and travertine are two of the most popular natural stone pavers used for both residential and commercial homes. Both of these stones are often used for outdoor paving, indoor flooring, stepping stones, and sometimes wall cladding.

Since both have amazing functional and aesthetic qualities, it can be difficult to choose between the two.

To help you make a choice, we’re going to take a look at the main features of each of these stones. We’ll go through each important characteristic, from thermal resistance to ease of maintenance. By discussing all the main advantages of these two stones, hopefully we can help you decide which product is more suitable for you and your property.

What is Bluestone?

In Australia and New Zealand, bluestone is the commercial term used to describe basalt. Basalt is a fine-grained igneous rock made from low-viscosity lava. It is mainly composed of oxides from silicon, magnesium, iron, potassium, aluminum, calcium and titanium.

Since it has a high concentration of augite and dark pyroxene minerals, basalt typically has a dark bluish hue. However, due to varying mineral composition, sometimes basalt has a much lighter tone.

Basalt typically has vesicles (small holes), which are created by the dissolved gasses released by the lava. These vesicles often leave a subtle texture on the surface of the finished paver. Basalt has also high density as well as a decent thermal resistance.

Benefits of Bluestone Pavers

1. Durable and Dense

   The density of basalt ranges from 2.8 – 3.0g/cm3. By comparison granite’s density is measured at 2.5 – 2.8g/cm3.Because of its high density, basalt is often used as an outdoor paver. The density of the stone will protect your pavers from minor surface scratches, moisture damage (including stains) and heat. Bluestone pavers are perfect for pergola flooring, outdoor stepping stones, front yard pathways, fireplaces, and so on. Essentially, any area that is exposed to the outside elements and extreme temperatures would benefit from high quality bluestone pavers.

2. Versatile

   Not only is bluestone versatile functionally, it is also versatile in terms of design. Because of the simplicity and subtlety of its colour, bluestone can easily be implemented in both modern and traditional homes. It can be used alongside common building materials like timber and concrete.The different hues of basalt will also give your property some visual variety and some personality. The colour variety found on bluestone pavers is certainly a far cry from the monotony of plain porcelain tiles and other forms of engineered stones.

3. Textured Surface

   The vesicles of basalt give bluestone pavers a subtle texture. This creates a non-slip surface that is perfect for poolsides, pool edging and stepping stones. Additionally, this texture creates a unique pattern on the surface, adding to the visual appeal of your pavers.

What is Travertine?

Travertine is a naturally-occurring sedimentary rock that is usually found around mineral springs. It is formed from the calcium carbonate mineral that is typically found in rivers, lakes and springs. It’s a beautiful light stone that often features colours like beige, tan, and cream.

As a sedimentary rock, travertine has a fibrous structure and is typically more porous than igneous rocks like granite and basalt. However, when manufactured into pavers, the travertine surface is usually smoothed out.

Benefits of Travertine Pavers

1. Classic Aesthetic

   Travertine was used by the Romans to build the famous Colosseum in 80AD and the Pantheon in 125AD. Because of this, travertine is often seen as a classic building material that evokes grandeur, robustness and elegance. It can be argued that travertine has a special historical aura that very few stones have.Despite it being an old building material, its beautiful beige surface and subtle texture still makes it a viable option for most contemporary homes. For example, in many Australian properties, the warm hues of travertine are often paired with the cool blues of a backyard swimming pool.In addition, because of the non-slip texture, travertine pavers are also commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens and other places that are prone to spillages and moisture.

2. Doesn’t Fade

   Travertine’s beautiful tan surface is UV resistant. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about your outdoor paving losing its lustre after a few years out in the sun.Additionally, with just regular vacuuming and sweeping, you can prevent dirt and dust build ups on your travertine pavers. This will allow you to keep your flooring light, clean and appealing.

3. Cost-Effective

   Compared to other stones, travertine is much easier to cut, process and manufacture into the desired shape. Because of this, travertine paving is often more affordable than other classic natural stones. For example, compared to marble, travertine pavers are usually half the price.Additionally, if your travertine flooring ever gets damaged, you will only need to remove and replace the damaged pavers. You don’t need to worry about hiring contractors to overhaul the entire floor.When it comes to maintenance, travertine only requires mild soap and warm water. The pavers also only need to be sealed once every two years or so.

Hopefully, this brief guide has helped you understand the major differences between travertine and bluestone pavers. As you can see, both products have a lot to offer in terms of functionality and aesthetics.

To choose the right paver for you, you need to think about where you’re going to be using the pavers, what kind of look you’re going for and how much you’re willing to spend. Keeping these points in mind will make the material selection process significantly easier.

You may also like to read, Concrete vs Pavers: Pros and Cons