Emuparadise

Terrazzo is a composite material made up of pieces of durable stone embedded in either cement or resin. It dates back to fifteenth-century Venice where craftspeople used local stone offcuts as a way of recycling.

Today, terrazzo can be found in new and renovated transit station platforms, elegant restaurants, schools and private offices. It is a beautiful, durable and sustainable choice for any space.

It’s durable

Terrazzo is one of the most durable materials in existence. It can endure the wear and tear of heavy traffic without losing its sleek appeal. It can also withstand the pressure of heavy furniture and is suitable for use in kitchens.

The first terrazzo tiles were made by sweeping marble chips into tinted cement, then grinding it smooth and polishing it to a silky sheen. The technique was perfected in the 16th century by mosaic artisans in northern Italy, and it caught on. Michelangelo used it in St. Peter’s Basilica, and George Washington strode over it at Mount Vernon.

Today, terrazzo stone is typically produced in blocks and then hydraulically pressed into slabs. This process creates a more uniform color, eliminates air bubbles, and allows for larger-scale projects. It’s also more durable than poured terrazzo.

Traditional terrazzo uses a cement binder, but advanced versions are available that use alternative binding agents like resin. These are less expensive than traditional options but offer the same technical performance values as authentic terrazzo.

It’s versatile

In the past couple of years, terrazzo has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. This trend has not only been seen in flooring but also in the form of mass produced rugs and pillows.

This material is made by mixing marble, granite, quartz and glass chips with a cement binder. The result is one of the most versatile and tough tiling products available in the world.

It is possible to find this type of floor in older homes as renovations have uncovered many of these beautiful surfaces. If you are interested in this style of tiling, it is best to seek the services of an expert to install and finish it properly.

Traditional terrazzo is a poured-in-place process and can be quite expensive. However, there are alternatives to this that can be much more affordable such as polyacrylate terrazzo. It is lighter and dries faster than the traditional method but still offers plenty of design options including dyes and recycled materials such as mirrored or glass fragments.

It’s easy to maintain

Terrazzo is a beautiful and durable material that can add elegance to any space. It can be used for floors, walls, and countertops and is available in a wide range of colors, textures, and materials.

It can even be made with recycled glass and other materials, making it an eco-friendly choice. This durable, low-maintenance material is also easy to clean and can withstand almost any kind of traffic.

Like most stone surfaces, terrazzo can stain easily but it does stand up to scratches better than other natural stones. It can be buffed out to restore its shine and most scratches can be removed with a specialized tool. However, it is important to keep in mind that terrazzo requires sealing which will need to be done at least every 12 months or more often depending on the area. This is more frequent than many other kinds of stone. It is also possible for terrazzo to chip and crack.

It’s beautiful

Terrazzo feels both modern and traditional, a bit trendy but also timeless. That range of possibilities may explain why this ancient composite material is making a comeback in today’s interiors.

As a poured-in-place flooring material, terrazzo is created by embedding marble or other aggregates into concrete. The result is a smooth surface that can be polished to a glass-like shine.

Workers spread the terrazzo mixture in a grid of 3-foot squares. To keep the wet terrazzo from flowing into areas where walls will be constructed, zinc dividers are cemented into place. The floor is then given a thin coat of an epoxy solution.

Cementitious terrazzo requires more work and takes longer to dry, but it can be dyed in almost any color. A popular alternative is polyacrylate terrazzo, which uses less product and dries faster. It can also include glass and mirrored chips. After the terrazzo cures for two days, grinders use large diamond-grit wheels to smooth it.