Building a new home or renovating an older one brings with it a plethora of decisions. From the materials you want to use, to color palettes and budget, you need to make choices every step of the way. When it comes to flooring, the options are varied and you can find something to suit any budget. If traditional options like marble or carpet are too boring, then you may want to consider terrazzo.
What is Terrazzo?
Even as terrazzo is making a comeback as the flooring option of choice, not many people know about it. It’s surprising, given that terrazzo has been used in homes around the world for hundreds of years. Modern terrazzo originated in 18th century Venice where workmen used to collect stone fragments from expensive construction projects to create floors in their homes.
Terrazzo is a composite material made by combining stone aggregates with cement or epoxy resin. It can be poured on-site or precast into blocks that can be cut to size. You can also get it in ready-to-use tiles for easy installation. It is quite versatile and perfectly usable both indoors and out.
Why use Terrazzo?
Until the early 20th century, terrazzo was quite the popular option as it was budget-friendly. However, as homeowners became more affluent they started to opt for other materials like carpeting and hardwood floors. As it is quite durable, terrazzo was used extensively in commercial buildings such as offices and showrooms instead.
More recently terrazzo is making a comeback in home decor. Homeowners and designers are rediscovering the benefits of using terrazzo as it comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. Whether you love a minimalistic home or prefer industrial vibes, there is a terrazzo option to suit.
Pros and cons of using Terrazzo
As with any construction material, terrazzo has pros and cons although the list of pros is considerably longer.
- Sustainable
Terrazzo is made by combining stone aggregates with cement. As such it is a more sustainable and eco-friendly option than using natural stone, carpet, or wood. Since you are reusing stone fragments that would otherwise go to a landfill, it’s a great choice to minimize the use of finite natural resources.
- Durable
Terrazzo is extremely durable, probably the reason it has become so popular in commercial and public buildings such as hospitals. Once installed by professionals and sealed, it will resist stains or damage. If your floors start to look a little dull, you can refinish and polish them again. A terrazzo floor will probably outlive your home!
- Versatile
Another advantage of terrazzo is that it is versatile. You can use it for flooring (both indoors and outdoors such as a patio), on the walls as a backsplash, and for countertops. Designers are experimenting with even more ways to use terrazzo such as building tables using it.
- Low maintenance
In addition to all the above, terrazzo is very easy to maintain. You don’t need special cleaning materials or tools. You don’t need to do anything other than sweep the floor and mop it occasionally.
Terrazzo is not a magical material, so naturally, it has a few cons. While terrazzo tiles are inexpensive, they can become quite costly if you want a custom design or to create a statement floor with bigger marble pieces.
Terrazzo does not retain heat very well, so it may not be a great option for cold areas unless you are installing radiant heating under the floor. Some people also don’t like the feel of terrazzo as it is quite hard underfoot. Terrazzo can be slippery, so you may want to avoid it if you have children, pets, or older family members.
Decorating with terrazzo
Terrazzo comes in an astounding variety of colors and designs. So you can always find one that suits your particular style. Since the overall look is created by thousands of small stone aggregates, it pairs perfectly with any minimalistic design style.
You can use it in bathrooms and the kitchen as it can withstand the humidity and high traffic in these areas. A white kitchen with terrazzo in blue or green can be a striking combination. Many people like floors to be plain with furniture and walls making up the bulk of the decor. A terrazzo floor, however, is the star of any room. It’s perfect if you want to make a bold statement or if you are a trendsetter in your social circle.
Terrazzo also pairs wonderfully with a modern industrial home. It softens the edge of using cement floors by adding an element of fun and personality. It’s also ideal if you are going for a Mediterranean or Tuscan vibe. Terrazzo pairs well with wood furniture, natural fibers, and exposed brick walls. In short, terrazzo is the ideal companion no matter the design style you are going for.
