Terrazzo tiles are at the head of a major trend right now. They aren’t new technology, though. Terrazzo has been around since ancient Egypt. Terrazzo blends chips of marble, quartz, glass, granite, or other materials safely inside a binding material. There are many terrazzo flooring advantages. When choosing your floor, are there any disadvantages you should know about?
Terrazzo Flooring Advantages
Proven: Terrazzo is a proven and durable flooring choice. Few flooring materials have been around for thousands of years.
Cost: Many terrazzo floors are inexpensive to create. That savings gets passed on to you. The result itself can look very upscale.
Sun: Terrazzo tiles look especially good in areas that get a lot of sun. The different colors are accentuated well and installation options other than thinset will resist fading well.
Customization: The sheer range of colors, designs, and materials used in terrazzo is awe-inspiring. You’ll be able to find several looks you enjoy.
Adaptability: Terrazzo can easily be molded into panels that suit custom staircases, backsplashes, countertops, and even furniture like bathtubs and sinks. It’s also very easy to join together with technology such as underfloor heating.
Maintenance: Sweep and mop occasionally. That’s it. You’ve done the maintenance needed to keep up a terrazzo floor.
Options: There’s a wide range of installation options that enhance specific characteristics. Thinset is lightweight and very resistant to cracking. Sand-cushion is very durable. It can be poured straight onto a concrete subfloor via monolithic installation. Or you can rely on terrazzo tiles, which offer more precise control over the look and finish.
Terrazzo Flooring Disadvantages
Avoid 80s Looks: Despite its increasing popularity today, terrazzo was often used in commercial spaces and institutions in the 1980s. You’ll just want to be careful with certain choices so that a space doesn’t take on the look of an 80s mall or high school. That said, the sheer variety of looks gives you ample opportunity to avoid this pitfall.
Not DIY: Terrazzo is durable and resistant to cracking so long as it’s installed with precision. It’s not a DIY installation. You’ll want professional service.
Cost: Yes, this is listed as an advantage and disadvantage. While some terrazzo is inexpensive to create, other aggregates can be somewhat expensive. It all depends on what materials are being used in the terrazzo. Terrazzo tiles are generally the least expensive to install.
Ask the team at East Coast Flooring for more information on beautiful terrazzo flooring options!