Since its discovery by Venetian mosaic artisans in the 15th century, terrazzo has been a preferred choice material for flooring systems in residential, industrial and commercial settings. Terrazzo, which was derived from the Italian word for “terraces,” was originally created using discarded marble chips that were then used by these mosaic workers to surface the terraces around their own residences. Now terrazzo can be crafted from a wider array of materials such as glass, granite and quartz. The art of terrazzo installation and maintenance has also evolved significantly throughout the years.
The popularity of terrazzo floor tiles
Terrazzo is known for its amazing qualities as a building material, including durability, strength and timeless appeal, among others. In fact, one can still see some ancient structures especially in Venice, Italy that feature beautifully laid out terrazzo floors. After its “accidental” discovery, the use of terrazzo eventually spread out into other countries, and more and more builders and designers started to recognise it as an ideal building material especially for flooring.
Terrazzo has reached a peak in popularity during the mid-20th century, and is thus frequently associated with mid-century design. However, with the rise of installation costs terrazzo floor tiles became a relatively costly option for custom-built residential properties in subsequent decades. Terrazzo nonetheless has remained popular in a wide variety of commercial and industrial settings, such as hotels, airports, railway stations, hospitals, shopping malls, etc. Contemporary architects and builders normally recommend terrazzo floor tiles to commercial space developers not only due to the material’s aesthetic qualities but also its ability to withstand massive volume of foot traffic that is common in high traffic areas.
The timeless beauty of terrazzo floor tiles
Terrazzo as a building material offers plenty in terms of aesthetic beauty. Regardless of the type of terrazzo or the method of installation used, terrazzo flooring is always a stunning final product. This is because this flooring solution provides unlimited options when it comes to colour and design, so you can easily choose which floor tiles will work best to complement your home interiors. The mosaic look and textural quality of terrazzo flooring also make it an ideal flooring option for commercial and institutional settings, such as hotel lobbies, restaurants and bars, where there’s a high regard for aesthetically pleasing interiors.
Terrazzo flooring’s versatility in design
Compared to other popular types of flooring, terrazzo flooring offers more versatility in terms of design. This is one of the unique advantages of using terrazzo floor tiles in residential or commercial spaces. Terrazzo provides virtually endless design possibilities, with limitless options in aggregate materials, colour and pattern combinations. While marble may be the top aggregate choice for a variety of applications, terrazzo floor tiles can be crafted from other commonly used materials like granite, silica pebbles, quartz, etc.
Nowadays, it is also possible to have terrazzo flooring installed that has incorporated recycled materials like glass or metal scraps into its aggregate mix. However, keep in mind that terrazzo floor tiles may be more limited in terms of design flexibility compared to in situ terrazzo flooring type.
Terrazzo floors’ durability and sustainability
No matter how impressionable the type of flooring is installed in a residential or commercial space, it won’t matter as much if the flooring system cannot stand the test of time. While some may think that installing terrazzo floor tiles is costlier compared to other typical flooring solutions such as hardwood flooring, carpet, or ceramic tiles, terrazzo’s durability makes it a more cost-effective option. Some ancient terrazzo floors built in its place of origin are still in existence today. This proves that terrazzo has an outstanding level of durability, allowing it to exceed the lifespan of other flooring materials.
Furthermore, terrazzo flooring is much easier to maintain as opposed to other flooring types. Maintenance usually involves regular sweeping, proper mopping and buffing of the floor tiles. While terrazzo floors can withstand high volume of foot traffic, it still requires maintenance to prevent dirt, dust and other elements from potentially damaging the surface. It is essential though to be careful in using the right cleaning product for terrazzo floor tiles as not all cleaning solutions work well for every flooring type.
Terrazzo flooring indeed boasts a number of qualities that make it ideal for residential, commercial and industrial applications. To know what kind of terrazzo flooring system and method of installation will suit your living or working space needs, it is best to talk to a professional terrazzo contractor.