Terrazzo – The Eco-Friendly Choice

These days, the importance and urgency of taking better care of the environment should be at the forefront of every major and minor decision.  The less carbon footprints we leave, the better it is for our climate and ultimately, our environment.  This is true even in choosing building materials, especially in flooring as it covers a wide expanse of the infrastructure build.

Sustainability, is as much of a key factor to look for as durability, aesthetic and cost.  This is why the eco-friendly terrazzo is a top recommendation in build projects because not only does it tick most of the qualities commonly required for flooring, whether indoors or outdoors, but it is also the more  environmentally sound choice.

Just how sustainable is terrazzo?  While most historical accounts attribute the invention of terrazzo to the Venetian artisans who thought it wise to reuse discarded marble chips from mosaic builds, evidence of terrazzo-like materials were already present in some Turkish infrastructure dating back 8,000 to 10,000 years ago.  This proves that not only is terrazzo highly sustainable and durable, but also shows that even back then, our builders already have the idea of reusing, and recycling materials to lessen the negative impact on the environment.

Exactly how is eco-friendly terrazzo the sustainable choice? Terrazzo is made by mixing remnants of various building materials such as quartz, marble and granite with cement to create a long-lasting, easy to maintain, aesthetic hybrid that can be used in a variety of ways.  So, because it is made of essentially recycled materials, eco-friendly terrazzo leaves less carbon footprints in comparison to materials that require a lot more processes to build.

Maintenance of eco-friendly terrazzo floors require a daily dust-mopping especially for areas where there is a significant use and high foot traffic.  A thorough and deeper cleaning is also recommended weekly with a mild neutral cleaner and warm water to remove any light stains and slightly stubborn scuff marks.  There is no need for harsh chemicals or solutions to clean terrazzo especially if it was sealed properly and maintained daily.  

A few things to remember when cleaning your eco-friendly terrazzo floors are:

  • Avoid the use of any form of wax on terrazzo floors.  If installed properly, terrazzo is already naturally smooth looking with a slightly shiny and buffed appearance.  Due to its porous nature, the use of wax could weaken the integrity of terrazzo.
  • Do not, under any circumstance, use all-around cleaning solutions or powders on your terrazzo floors.  Additionally, even if you are using the proper PH-neutral solutions, do not let them sit and dry on the surface.  Leave them on just enough to loosen the dirt and ground-in debris and then immediately remove it with warm water.
  • If possible, have your eco-friendly terrazzo floors professionally cleaned every few months to keep it looking new and to maintain its quality and durability.

For more information on eco-friendly terrazzo flooring, you can visit Terrazzo Australian Marble’s site and read through the significant number of articles posted on their site’s blog.