Travertine & Limestone Grades Explained
Before purchasing your travertine or limestone tiles or pavers, it is important to become familiar with industry terms in order to choose the grade & rating of the travertine tiles or travertine pavers most appropriate for your purposes. The most popular grade in Australia is standard grade, due to its overall performance rating and value for money.
TRAVERTINE & LIMESTONE GRADES
Ultra Premium grade
Premium grade
A Grade
Standard Grade
Rustica Grade
ULTRA PREMIUM GRADE
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This ULTRA premium grade features the most refined selection of colour tones, showcasing a largely homogeneous appearance with minimal natural variation in pattern and shading typical of travertine.
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Each travertine tile is meticulously hand-selected to ensure a completely hole-free surface, offering a flawless finish.
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This grade represents the highest achievable standard in natural stone pavers and tiles, delivering near-perfect consistency and quality.
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The tiles feature subtly tumbled edges, with corners predominantly preserved for a clean yet natural look.
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It is recommended to seal the tiles upon completion of installation using a high-quality penetrating sealer, such as ROCKSTAR Natural Finish Stone Sealer, to protect and preserve the stone’s appearance.
Performance Rating 10 
Value for Money Rating 9
Overall Rating 9
PREMIUM GRADE
- – This grade offers the greatest selection of colours with some inclusions of gray or black markings in the travertine tiles surface.
- – The travertine tiles are carefully chosen to be more consistent in colour and surface honing.
- – None of the travertine tiles of this grade will have large holes migrating through the tile from top to bottom.
- – The tumbled edges of the tiles are smooth and corner edges are more intact.
- – Should be sealed after installation process has finished with a penetrating sealer such as ROCKSTAR Natural Finish Stone Sealer.
Performance Rating 9
Value for Money Rating 7
Overall Rating 8
A GRADE
- – This grade offers the second largest selection of travertine tile colours, with minor if any inclusions of gray or black markings.
- – The travertine tiles are carefully chosen to have reasonably consistent colours throughout each batch.
- – Some minor holes are allowed in A grade travertine tiles. Additionally, these minor holes may be filled through the full thickness of the tile and become nearly invisible.
- – Generally speaking any of the holes will be filled during the grouting process with our colour matched travertine grout.
- – The edges of the tumbled tiles are smooth and occassionally have small parts of the corner missing due to the tumbling process.
- – Should be sealed after installation process has finished with a penetrating no colour change sealer, such as ROCKSTAR Natural Finish Stone Sealer.
Performance Rating 9
Value for Money Rating 9
Overall Rating 9
STANDARD GRADE (MOST POPULAR CHOICE)
- – This grade offers the second largest selection of travertine tile colours, with slightly more inclusions of gray or black markings.
- – The travertine tiles are carefully chosen to have reasonably consistent colours throughout each batch.
- – Some large holes are allowed in standard grade travertine tiles. Additionally, rarely some holes may be filled through the full thickness of the tile.
- – The color may contain some striations or swirls.
- – The edges of the tumbled tiles are smooth and occassionally have small parts of the corner missing due to the tumbling process.
- – Should be sealed after installation process has finished with a penetrating sealer such as ROCKSTAR Natural Finish Stone Sealer.
Performance Rating 9
Value for Money Rating 9
Overall Rating 9
RUSTICA GRADE (BUDGET GRADE or COMMERCIAL GRADE)- Not recommended
- – Large colour variations are allowed within the tile including gray or black markings.
- – Small to large unfilled holes are allowed as are small defects in sizing and honing.
- – The tiles are not filled and should be filled with colour matched grout during grouting.
- – It is acceptable for large voids to be filled during grouting process.
- – Holes that run from the surface to the bottom of the tile are allowed.
- – Edges may be cracked or broken.
- – Tiles may be delivered without color selection or sorting.
- – Can be left to age gracefully over time, aquiring that aged look.
Performance Rating 6
Value for Money Rating 9
Overall Rating 7
For more information feel free to give us a call on 03 9706 9767 or Talk to one of our experts and get a FREE Quote. 
