The Differences and Similarities of Terrazzo and Engineered Stone
There are so many options to choose from when it comes to flooring materials such as marble, terrazzo, natural and engineered stone, ceramic tiles and hardwood to name some of the more popular ones. Each of these materials has their own unique appeal and characteristic and is often chosen depending on the nature and purpose of the space being constructed.
For commercial spaces or areas where the foot traffic is expected to be heavy, the characteristics most often looked for are durability, strength and low upkeep or are easily maintained. Terrazzo has been a popular choice for these types of floor installations it is all those things and more. A close second would be engineered stone. While some people make the mistake of thinking terrazzo and engineered stone are the same thing, they are not.
| Terrazzo | Engineered Stone | |
| Durability | Terrazzo has both the strength of concrete and the durability of marble making it among the top choices for commercial floor installations. | Engineered stone while also durable and strong has the tendency to chip and break faster compared to terrazzo. |
| Maintenance | Terrazzo floors and surfaces need very minimal maintenance especially when done properly and using the correct products. | The same can be said for engineered stone when it comes to cleaning and maintaining. As long as the correct cleaning products are used, it is very low maintenance. |
| Design Flexibility | Because it is a composite material, terrazzo is perhaps the most design flexible flooring and surface material today. Colour, method of installation and aggregate composition offer options and varieties are practically limitless | Engineered stone is also a composite material however because of how it is made, it can only be made in blocks and slabs which are then cut and polished and then assembled on site giving it a few design limitations when it comes to shape and form unlike terrazzo which can be poured in situ or onsite and can therefore be moulded or manipulated into different shapes and forms, |