The Terrazzo Tile – A Helpful Guide

A Brief History

Terrazzo was first used as far back as the 16th century in Italy. Venetian artists discovered that marble and other stone remnants and off cuts can be reused by mixing them with cement to produce a composite material.  Since then, it has become a steady presence in many architectural infrastructures across the world.

Properties of a Terrazzo Tile

There are quite a few significant advantages in utilizing terrazzo tile.  Firstly, the durability is unparalleled as evidenced by many terrazzo tile installations that were built hundreds of years ago that have withstood the test of time and use. This particular advantage is because of terrazzo’s high compressive strength which simply put, means it can withstand high volume foot traffic and even light vehicles such as bicycles.  Which leads us to another advantageous property of the terrazzo tile: it can be used for both interior and exterior spaces. 

The terrazzo tile is also an ideal solution for those who are looking to use only sustainable materials that are both eco-friendly and leaves the least amount of carbon footprints.  Because terrazzo tile is made the way that it is and reusing bits and pieces of leftover materials, it is highly-favored by builders and designers that champions the greener, more earth-friendly way of building.  

Uses and Applications

Originally used for flooring, terrazzo has come a long way in the number of applications and uses.  These days, terrazzo is being utilized for a variety of applications such as wall paneling, countertops, kitchen backsplashes, interior and exterior furniture such as tables and benchtops, and even art installations or small décor.  This is especially true for the terrazzo tile as it can be cut, shaped and sized according to preference and use.  Additionally, this highlights another advantage of using terrazzo tile; it can be used in whatever size dwelling or commercial space. This kind of adaptability is also part of the reason why the terrazzo tile has been a preferred building and design option throughout the years.  

Cost Efficiency 

There have been many debates about terrazzo being costly against it being one of the more cost-efficient materials in the market today.  It is true that terrazzo’s price point is somewhat higher than the more affordable options, however because the “lifespan” of the terrazzo tile is significantly longer than most, with proper care and maintenance, the need to spend for repairs and reinstallation is lesser which more than makes up for the initial cost.

Proper Care and Maintenance

The terrazzo tile and terrazzo in general has one of the more ideal and simpler ways of maintenance and care.  Overall, just make sure to keep your floors or terrazzo tile surfaces dust-free.  Just go over them with a wet mop every other day and remember to only use a neutral cleaner to prevent any acid from corroding the terrazzo.  Add to this, make sure to immediately wipe away and kind of spillage especially those from liquids that could leave stains such as red wine, soda and juices.