Travertine has long been admired in the world of flooring and wall cladding. Its natural beauty, rich textures, and earthy tones have made it a timeless favourite for both homeowners and designers. But now, there’s a modern alternative worth considering — Norcia, the latest travertine-look range from ColorTile. Designed to capture the elegance of natural stone while offering practical advantages, Norcia gives you the best of both worlds. Let’s explore how these two options compare, and which one might be the perfect fit for your home.
1. Material Composition: Real vs. Impression
Natural travertine is formed over thousands of years by mineral-rich water deposits. Our Norcia range offers a porcelain alternative, crafted with high-resolution printing to replicate the beauty of stone. It delivers the timeless look of travertine in a practical, durable tile that’s easier to maintain.
2. Appearance and Variation: Unique vs. Consistent
Natural Travertine
Each slab of travertine is one-of-a-kind, with unique colour variations, veining, and textures. This individuality is what gives it timeless appeal, but it also means there can be unpredictable inconsistencies that may not suit every project.
Norcia Range
The Norcia range captures the same visual depth and detail of travertine but offers consistency in tone and pattern. Even more impressive, the tile face features up to 96 unique variations, ensuring no two tiles look the same. With its V3 variation rating, Norcia delivers moderate to high shade variation creating a natural, authentic look where every installation feels bespoke without being overwhelming.
To suit a wide variety of design styles, Norcia is available in both cross cut and vein cut, and in multiple formats including 75x300mm subway (cross cut only), 300x300mm, 300x600mm, 600x600mm, and 600x1200mm. Functional options such as a 400x600mm pencil edge bullnose (20mm thick, cross cut only) and 600x600mm 20mm pavers ensure suitability across interiors, exteriors, and pool areas. For those after a rustic or timeless style, crazy pave and French pattern (cross cut only) bring extra design versatility.
Durability and Maintenance: Tough Guy vs. Mr. Easy-Going
Natural Travertine
As a softer stone, travertine is prone to scratching, staining, and etching, especially in high-traffic areas or wet environments. It also requires regular sealing and careful cleaning to keep it looking its best.
Norcia Range
The Norcia range, made from porcelain, is designed for strength and practicality. All body tiles are finished in an In/Out surface with a P4 slip rating, meaning they’re safe, durable, and versatile enough for everyday indoor and outdoor living. For areas that demand even higher performance, such as pool surrounds, patios, and external steps, the 20mm pavers and pencil-edge bullnose tiles carry a P5 slip rating the highest grade for slip resistance. This combination makes Norcia a true all-rounder: stylish enough for interiors, resilient enough for outdoor spaces, and easy-going when it comes to cleaning and upkeep. Unlike natural stone, there’s no need for constant sealing or specialist treatments.
4. Cost: The Budget Battle
Natural Travertine
Natural stone is expensive, often sourced and processed in Europe, and requires extra investment in sealing and ongoing care. This makes it a premium choice that can stretch budgets quickly.
Norcia Range
By contrast, Norcia is priced very reasonably, making it captivating for all budgets—even those looking for a luxurious finish without the hefty price tag. And because no sealing is required, the savings continue well beyond the purchase price, making it an affordable and stress-free alternative to natural stone.
It’s All About Preference
Ultimately, choosing between natural travertine and travertine-look tiles comes down to personal preference. If you want uniqueness, a true statement piece, and don’t mind the extra maintenance, natural travertine might be the one for you. But if you prefer a consistent finish, long-lasting durability, and low maintenance, then Colortile’s Norcia travertine-look tiles are sure to impress.
The Norcia collection is available in both cross cut and vein cut, offering distinct aesthetic variations to suit any design style. Sizes include:
75 x 300 mm (subway, cross cut only)
300 x 300 mm
300 x 600 mm
600 x 600 mm
600 x 1200 mm
A 400 x 600 mm pencil-edge bullnose (20 mm thick, cross cut only) is ideal for steps and pool edges, delivering a smooth, refined finish. For outdoor and high-traffic areas, the 600 x 600 mm format (20 mm thick) ensures exceptional durability and longevity. The range is also available in crazy pave and French pattern (cross cut only), adding timeless natural appeal to any space.
This collection is easy to install and perfect for elevating entryways, living areas, bathrooms, and patios. Embrace the sleek design of the Norcia range and experience the refreshing transformation of a newly revitalised space.
Order your samples of the Norcia range NOW Norcia or Book a FREE Instore design consultation to discuss all of your project needs.
To see these products for yourself, visit us at your local ColorTile Showroom or order your samples online.
