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Terrazzo & Ceramic – Comparison for Your Next Flooring

When you are planning for your next project, one of the elements that you need to consider is the type of flooring that you will choose. Two of the most popular choices in the market are terrazzo and ceramic,  with the latter being more popular. Both of these flooring options present you with several unique benefits.

In this article, we will be comparing the two flooring systems to help you decide on which one you should use for your next project.

Cost

It’s undeniable that ceramic tiles are more affordable compared to terrazzo tiles. In most cases, you can source ceramic tiles for as low as $1.00 per square foot whilst terrazzo is estimated to cost anywhere between $10 and $50 per square foot.

Terrazzo is indeed more expensive compared to ceramic. However, when you consider that terrazzo tiles far outlast ceramic tiles, you will be able to save far more in terms of maintenance, repairs and restorations.

Design

Both ceramic and terrazzo can provide you with a beautiful floor. Both of them are also very customizable.

With ceramic tiles, you will have many different colors and styles available. This allows you to come up with a custom design that is geometric in nature. You can throw in some different sizes and diagonal installation to make it very unique as well.

With terrazzo, you can make an extremely customizable floor that looks different from ceramic. With terrazzo, they are not limited by squares or the shapes of the tile. You can make lines or emblems or anything else that you can imagine as they are constructing the design on site.

Durability

Another common thread that both ceramic and terrazzo share is that they are very durable. Both of them could last many years if taken care of properly.

Many ceramic tiles even come with as much as a 25-year warranty. However, ceramic tiles crack easily when you drop something heavy on them or when the surface area where your structure is built on shifts.

Terrazzo tiles, on the other hand, are extremely durable as the majority of it is made out of concrete and other aggregates. Anything can be damaged, but terrazzo stands the best chance of any type of flooring as far as resisting damage. It is also very difficult to stain or discolor because of its construction. Making it your money’s worth.

As you can see, both of these flooring systems are durable and design flexible. If you are looking for a more affordable option, then you can go with ceramic tiles. But if you don’t have any budget restraints and would like to be more creative, you can opt with terrazzo tiles. There are numerous suppliers for both of these flooring systems in Sydney, Australia. If you are planning on using terrazzo tiles for your next project, you may get in touch with Terrazzo Australian Marble. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, we’ve established our brand in Sydney, Australia. You may contact us by calling 1300 903 082 or visit https://terrazzo.net.au/contact/.

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Differences between Mosaic & Terrazzo Floorings

There are a number of options to choose from when you talk about flooring materials. The ones that you might immediately think of would probably be marble, porcelain, woord, or ceramic and that’s fine. But in this article, we’ll be comparing two flooring materials that have started to find their way back into the limelight – mosaic and terrazzo floorings.

What you need to know about Mosaic

Mosaic is a flooring style in which the roughly cut square pieces of marble stone, glass or marble are set into a flat binding surface. Mosaic flooring is an ancient and elegant art form; the creation of mosaic floor tile patterns is a discipline which stretches back to the early days of antiquity.

It often consists of small pieces of marble or pozzolana dana arranged in a different pattern with cement. Often used in bathrooms and kitchen due to its resistance to chemicals, it also offers you opportunity in creating personalized designs.

What you need to know about Terrazzo

Terrazzo is a flooring style that dates back to Italy. In simple terms, the flooring style involves mixing chips of marble, glass or natural stone into a binding mixture, usually cement.

It is often used in verandas, courtyards, galleries and areas with heavy traffic. However, one can still use it as their indoor flooring or even as accents on their customized furniture.

Differences of Mosaic and Terrazzo

  1. Pattern

While terrazzo was derived from mosaic, the main difference between them lies in the pattern. Mosaic involves placing individual pieces in a decorative pattern of choice and then filling in the empty areas. By contrast, in terrazzo, we have smaller pieces thrown haphazardly into a base to prepare an even surface.

  1. Surface

Mosaic is rough and bumpy due to pieces being set by hand and later filled around while terrazzo is smooth and levelled as it is mixed first then laid.

  1. Cost

The cost for mosaic will depend on the patterns and colors so by having complex patterns for a large area would cost you more. However, terrazzo is one of the most cost-effective flooring materials in the market now especially if you choose to apply it at a larger scale. But there are additional costs for changing materials or adding of colors and materials.

Either of these flooring materials would be great for whatever you’re designing. A number of flooring suppliers can even help you with it. However, if you decide to use terrazzo tiles for your next project, one of the suppliers that you can get in touch with is Terrazzo Australian Marble. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, we’ve established our brand in Sydney, Australia. You may contact us by calling 1300 903 082 or visit https://terrazzo.net.au/contact/.

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Repairing Pits & Large Holes on Your Terrazzo Floors

People used to hate terrazzo back in the day because it was high maintenance and slippery. Over time, terrazzo become hard to clean resorting to just covering their terrazzo floors with a variety of flooring. But with terrazzo’s comeback in the design industry, new methods were discovered as to how you can prevent getting scratches on your terrazzo tiles or repairing them if they’re chips or cracks.

You could be standing on your terrazzo floor right now that was built years ago which proves its durability but it’s still worth some investigation. Your terrazzo floors might just need to be repaired or polished back to their original beauty. If so, read on for some tips on how you can fully restore your terrazzo floors:

  1. Investigate

Before determining what to do, you need to determine the problem first. The first step is finding out where and what the problem is and how it was developed. When a proper investigation is not done, sometimes the cause of the cracks evades even the most experienced professional, and your cracks will just come back.

When doing this, you also need to take note that the cause of the crack is ot always clear. It could be because of a pressure, someone else’s fault, or some unexpected incident because sometimes, a floor can still crack even if your contractor did everything right. So ask the following questions when you’re investigating your terrazzo floorings:

Are varying temperatures causing thermal movement?

Is there evidence of concrete settling or shrinkage?

Is the floor heaving?

Is the terrazzo pulling the concrete?

Does the crack line up with columns?

  1. Which repair method should you do?

One way to figure out the cause is to chop out a small section and see if the concrete underneath is cracked. From there, you can clean out the crack and if it’s not moving, you can grout it with epoxy and it will be barely visible. If it reopens, that means that there is movement.

Once you’ve figured out the cause, then you can decide what kind of repair method should be applied. There are a number of repair methods that you can do to fix your problem.

  1. Mix preparation

After determining the repair method you’ll be doing, you need to prepare the mix. Start by determining what types and what the ratio of aggregates you need. You also need to determine what kind of binder you will be using. If it is a large repair in your cementitious terrazzo floor, we recommend that you use cement for the binder. While if you’re trying to fix smaller damages, you may use a tintable epoxy resin. You simply just have to mix everything and make sure that your mixture isn’t runny.

  1. Patch Application

If you’re doing large repairs, you just have to scoop your cementitious mix into the hole. Make sure that you put pressure on it by using a brick or a flat piece of wood and hammer. This needs to be done to compact down into the hole and remove any air pockets.

For small repairs, you can pour the epoxy mixture into the hole and press it down with a putty knife.  Be sure to press it into the hole, leaving a small portion above the surface of the floor.  You may also add more aggregate directly to the patch if necessary.

After which  you need to allow cementitious repairs to cure for a minimum of 48 hours and epoxy repairs to cure for 24 hours before the grinding process starts.

  1. Grind & Polish

Using a variable speed angle grinder or polisher with diamond polishing pads, grind with 30-60 grit to bring down the cured patch of terrazzo closer to the surface of the floor.  

New terrazzo or newly restored terrazzo use upwards of 3500 grit to polish the floors.  Your floor may not be that reflective.  You will have to decide when to stop between each change of grit by cleaning with water, drying, and comparing the patch to the rest of the floors.  Stop polishing when a matching shine is achieved.

Once your patch is level with the floor and before polishing with the higher grit pads, check for small holes in the patch.  Small holes should be filled with a matching cement slurry or epoxy.  Allow it to cure and finish polishing your floor to the desired shine.

  1. Sealing

After the floor has been polished, clean it with water, and dry it thoroughly.  Apply a penetrating sealer.

The steps provided above can be a DIY project at home. However, if you’re still not sure on what to do, you may always approach companies like Terrazzo Australian Marble who can help you in repairing your terrazzo floors. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, you can be assured that the services you’ll be getting is top-notch. If you want to know more, you may contact us by calling 1300 903 082 or visit https://terrazzo.net.au/contact/.

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Pros and Cons of Terrazzo Tiles

terrazzo cube design

Invented by Venetians, terrazzo dates back in the Renaissance, where it was used as floor in cathedrals and other places. Terrazzo floors are made from chips of granite and marble that are placed in resin or concrete. Once the concrete or resin sets, you are left with a durable floor that resembles a Venetian mosaic.

In this article, we’ll be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the material before you decide to use it.

Beauty and Style
If you want to have a premium and luxurious look for your tiles, then nothing compares to terrazzo . Your floor won’t just be beautiful but it will also be unique. However, despite its expanding prominence today, terrazzo was regularly used in the business sector and foundations during the 1980s. You’ll simply need to be cautious with specific decisions so that your space doesn’t take over the appearance of a shopping center of the 80’s or a secondary school.

But remember, because terrazzo is manufactured by mixing different elements together, you can choose almost any design or floor for any project. This allows architects to include abstract decorative designs, seals, logos, and other designs during the terrazzo installation.

Durability
Just like other floors that are made out of stone, terrazzo floorings can also chip. But you don’t have to worry because terrazzo is one of the most durable floors you can have installed. Once sealed properly, the material is impervious to water and stain damage. Even if terrazzo is worn down over the years, it can be re-finished and polished to look as good as new. When considering the low maintenance of terrazzo , it provides a long-lasting product at an affordable price. You cannot compare terrazzo floors in durability to carpet, wood or even marble.

Cost
The initial cost for terrazzo may be higher compared to other flooring materials. You are not only using a combination of two of the most expensive materials, but also using concrete or resin to set it. The process of installing terrazzo floors adds to the expense because it needs to be professionally installed, unlike marble, granite or concrete. However, terrazzo is a worthy investment that will save you money over time as it is quite durable and requires few repairs. Additionally, unlike other flooring materials, the maintenance of terrazzo tiles is easy. You just need to sweep and mop often. This is the only upkeep expected to keep up a terrazzo floor.

Installation
You can install terrazzo tiles by yourself. However, if you want true terrazzo flooring, you’ll need proficient assistance from a professional to put them. This makes terrazzo floors a specialized installation.

There are a lot of pros and cons of terrazzo , but the material is beneficial to those who want to factor in durability and design into their floors. Presently, they are available in multiple structural choices but the best one and the commonly used one is the tile structure. The amazing durability factor that comes along with cool color choices and a mottled look makes this kind of flooring very popular. They are just ideal for the minimalistic interiors too. Terrazzo Australian Marble has been in the terrazzo business for over 40 years. Located in Sydney, Australia, we can help you with anything related to terrazzo . If you want to know more, you may contact us by calling 1300 903 082 or visit https://terrazzo.net.au/contact/.

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Colors of Terrazzo Tiles

terrazzo australian marble

Colors are present and important in our universe, not only in the natural environment but also within the environment that humans have created. One example of this would be architecture. We often think that color is just a simple element of dedication but in reality plays a very influential role. By keeping this in mind, you will be able to maximize its influence when working on your architecture design.

In architecture one of the materials where you can be creative with your color of choice are tiles. Tiles play an important role in interior design, setting the look and feel of the house. Tiles are used to create the desired ambience but can also be difficult to choose. Consulting an interior designer can be useful as they can provide good advice on making the correct selection.

One of the most versatile and durable tiles is terrazzo. Made by mixing marble, granite, quartz or glass chips in a binding agent terrazzo offers endless design variations and ease in application, retaining its original quality. Terrazzo is most commonly used indoor flooring, but it can also be used for wall surfaces, gardens, facades, finishing panels etc.

WIth the materials used in creating terrazzo, you can mix and match different colors to elevate the ambiance of your design. You can choose the color of your base and multiple colors for your aggregates. Usually, colors represent different emotions and could also change the mood of the room. However, do take note that colors change their character when they are modified in lightness and saturation. Below are samples of colors and and the psychology behind them:

White – This color expresses openness, enormity, and neutrality. The message it conveys to the human mind is purity, emptiness, sterile and indecisiveness.

Yellow – Gives a sunny impression, showcases soft and friendliness. Using such colors in buildings makes the space look bright and appear more stimulating and cozy.

Green – This color expresses a natural, calm and balancing environment. The message it conveys is natural, simple and secure.

Red – This is a stimulating color. It is arousing, provocative, passionate, fiery and aggressive. This color should be used in smaller doses as it gives a sense of aggressiveness and dominance.

We are continuously absorbing different environments and their colors. Colors and their perceptions are responsible for a series of conscious and subconscious stimuli in our psycho-spatial relationship. When color is mingled in building architecture and interior design, it is not just for simple aesthetic choice, but much more than that.  One of the most important requirements of architecture is to create comfort and one of the best ways to do this undoubtedly is with colors.

With an endless number of colors available to choose from, with terrazzo tiles, you can have more than one color. The color of your base can be different from the multiple colors you can use for your aggregates, allowing you to be more playful and more creative with your design.

If you want to know more about terrazzo and the different colors you can choose from, Terrazzo Australian Marble would be more than happy to help you. Being in the industry for over 40 years, we’ve established our brand in Sydney, Australia. You may contact us by calling 1300 903 082 or visit https://terrazzo.net.au/contact/.