The terrazzo floor is a conglomeration of stone, marble and glass mixed in a resin matrix. The terrazzo is poured, allowed to dry completely and then ground and polished. It is typically seen on walls, stairs and floors. The terrazzo floor can be poured in a selected room and also comes in tiles.
This beautiful blend originated in Italy a long time ago and has gone through enough changes to make it as good a choice now as it was then.
Benefits of terrazzo flooring
- The terrazzo floor is very strong and easily resists damage. It is fire resistant and almost always non-slip. This is a great choice for a kitchen where wear and tear is common.
- One of the significant advantages is that the terrazzo floor is very low maintenance. After the chosen sealer has been applied and dried, this mosaic floor is also waterproof. Cleaning requires only a broom and a mop.
- Versatility is always attractive and terrazzo fits the bill. There are many versions of color, texture and finish and designs. Terrazzo floor gives you the freedom to create intricate and colorful designs such as graphics and a large number of geometric shapes. It would be impossible for any two terrazzo floors to look identical.
- The terrazzo floor is especially attractive because it is “green”. Its material components are all natural, there are no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) in the terrazzo and it has a lot of recycled material. This will only become more attractive as time goes on.
- This product is perfect for people with environmental allergies. Because the terrazzo floor is so hard and dense, no mold or allergens can penetrate it. It is also good for pet owners.
Terrazzo floor limitations
- Something to keep in mind is that if you have a terrazzo floor in the kitchen and spend a lot of time on your feet, you may want to place rugs in key areas of the room to cushion it for your feet and knees.
- Due to the nature of the product, the terrazzo floor is very heavy. It would be appropriate to get a professional to assess your home to see if its structure can withstand such a substantial floor.
- Temperature can be both a problem and a blessing. During the warmer months, the terrazzo floor is refreshingly cool. When the weather cools it also maintains the temperature. The installation of radiant floor heating makes the environment perfect.
Price of terrazzo floor
Uniqueness usually means higher costs, and this is no exception. If you decide to hire a terrazzo craftsman, you are paying for his skill, attention to detail and creativity. If you are diligent in finding a talented artist, your terrazzo floor will be a big part of it and will give you a high return if you decide to sell your home.
If you need to stick to a budget and an artist doesn’t fit in, there’s always the less expensive pre-made terrazzo tiles. The only thing that lets you down is the lack of design options.
Buying tips for terrazzo flooring
You’ve probably been thinking a lot about your new terrazzo floor and you know what you like, but it doesn’t hurt to ask for references and pictures of finished projects. You can also read architecture books and interior design literature to see if anything sparks your imagination.
Keep in mind that large designs make your kitchen look more spacious. Your design should keep in harmony with the size of the room. On the other hand, detailed design can be lost in a high room.
Installation of terrazzo floor
Installing a terrazzo floor is a serious project. Not only is it labor intensive, it is clumsy, heavy and requires skilled professionals to do it properly. Make sure you check everything about the process before you sign anything. If you want to see more finished products before proceeding, then do so – it’s your right and common sense.
Terrazzo floor maintenance
Make sure the workers explain exactly how to care for your terrazzo floor.
A standby that always works well is resealing. It keeps the pores tightly closed so that no liquid can infiltrate and discolor the terrazzo floor. Once the sealing is done, all you have to do is sweep when needed and run a mop over it once.
If you unfortunately need a repair, consult a professional. This is not for the do-it-yourself method.
If the terrazzo floor is in the kitchen, be aware of acid food spills on the floor. If left there for any length of time, the acid in them can ignite the floor.