Terrazzo Tiles

The use of terrazzo can be traced back to ancient Egyptian mosaics. However, its more recent predecessors come from Italy. A popular construction material from the 1930s to the 1970s, terrazzo has recently made a comeback. These days, architects and homeowners use terrazzo to give building projects a modern look. Because they are dense, terrazzo floor tiles are advised for high traffic commercial areas, including entrances, foyers, and reception areas. Similarly, they are advised for high traffic areas in homes. Use them indoors for living and dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries. Something to keep in mind, however, is that terrazzo flooring isn’t naturally slip-resistant. Terrazzo should be treated before being used in moisture-prone areas.

Terrazzo is popular due to a number of factors. Firstly, terrazzo is a versatile solution, and can be used for both walls and floors. Secondly, terrazzo tiles are a beautiful and highly sustainable option – they are made using recycled chips of marble and granite. This technique comes from the mosaic art form, however, terrazzo does not place individual pieces in a pattern. Instead, small pieces are thrown into the mortar base creating a more uniform surface appearance. These chips of marble or granite are set in a cement-like binder, polymeric, or a combination of both and then polished. Therefore, unlike marble tiles and granite tiles, terrazzo tiles are not made from 100% pure natural stone. However, terrazzo is also dense and durable.

When using Terrazzo, it’s important to install, seal and fix the surface properly to ensure that it is long-lasting. We advise the use of: 

• Artfix 6-hour set adhesive and flex grout
• TFC Smart Seal