Ceramic Tile Flooring vs Terrazzo Flooring System

What to choose so you can come out the winner.

There are two popular choices for flooring systems – terrazzo and ceramic tile.  This article aims to show the difference between the two, both their pros and cons, to help you in choosing which flooring system is better for you.

CERAMIC	TERRAZZO
COST
Ceramic tile is considerably more affordable than terrazzo flooring across the board. 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 flooring system is considered the more expensive choice however, when you consider that terrazzo far outlasts ceramic tile, you will be able to save far more in terms of maintenance, repairs and restorations.
DESIGN
Ceramic tile has a wide variety of colors and sizes to choose from which allows you to customize the design you want to lay out for your floor.  However designs are limited to a geometrical nature as most tiles come in squares with only thickness and size as variables.	Terrazzo flooring is extremely customizable with limitless design options.  In fact, you can create just about anything with terrazzo including but not limited to logos, art design, colors and patterns especially if installation is to be done in situ or on site.
INSTALLATION
Ceramic tile, because of its shape can be easily installed and can be done by almost anyone.  Most DIY-ers prefer ceramic tile mostly because of ease of installation. As it can go any area provided it is leveled and there are no curvatures to the surface area or edges.	Terrazzo flooring is a bit more complicated to install and therefore needs to be done by tradesmen that are trained in the craft which is a factor to its higher pricing.  This is especially true when it comes to the more complex designs previously mentioned.
MAINTENANCE
Ceramic tile is quite easy to maintain and care for except for the fact that ceramic tile has grout which can get stained and chipped.	Terrazzo flooring’s solid surface allows for easy care and maintenance with no grout to worry about.
DURABILITY
Ceramic tile has come a long way when it comes to durability and in most cases, comes with a 25-year warranty.  However ceramic is still easily cracked on occasions when heavier objects are accidentally dropped on it or when the surface area where your structure is built on shifts.	Terrazzo flooring is well known for its durability in fact, there are terrazzo floors constructed hundreds of years ago that are still intact to this day and because of the way it is constructed, staining and discoloration is not as much of an issue.