Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is not easy, but a professional terrazzo contractor can seamlessly fill terrazzo holes. Filling terrazzo with matching resin and marble chips takes a skilled craftsman with years of experience working with color resins and marble chips.
Yes. When a concrete foundation settles, the foundation can crack. The crack can be filled with a matching resin color, grinding it down smooth and restored to a like new appearance.
Terrazzo floors are very durable but require regular housekeeping. Terrazzo top coat finishes protect the terrazzo from staining and chemical attack.
DOES THE TERRAZZO RESTORATION PROCESS USE CHEMICALS?
Not typically, terrazzo restoration is an environmentally friendly process
HOW SHOULD I CLEAN MY TERRAZZO FLOOR?
Microfiber applicator can be used for basic soil cleaning. Heavy wear and solid removal may require use of a floor scrubber. Place a soft-type pad on the the floor scrubber. Using a neutral cleaner, scrub the
floor surface. The cleaning cycle program should be monitored by the amount of foot traffic. As the terrazzo floor ages the maintenance should always be maintained to ensure a long clean life.
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY TERRAZZO FLOOR?
WHAT ARE THE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR TERRAZZO?
Terrazzo is simple to maintain. Requiring occasional sweeping, mopping, and buffing. Periodic resealing of a terrazzo floor is recommended to maintain a better looking floor.
HOW CAN I ACQUIRE SAMPLES FOR A PENDING PROJECT?
Samples can be obtained through terrazzo material suppliers or contractors.
HOW SHOULD I SELECT A TERRAZZO CONTRACTOR?
When selecting a terrazzo contractor, like any other trade, confirm they are licensed and insured and get references. Terrazzo installations require experience and skill.
HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO PAY FOR A TERRAZZO FLOOR?
The cost of an installed terrazzo floor varies greatly depending on design, overall size of the project, the number of colors involved, and many other factors. It is recommended to contact a local terrazzo contractor to discuss your project details and obtain an estimated cost specifically for your project.
HOW OFTEN DOES TERRAZZO NEED TO BE REPLACED?
A terrazzo floor generally lasts the life of a building. Unlike other flooring systems such as tile, vinyl flooring or carpet, terrazzo will not wear out and require replacement. Terrazzo has been around for 100’s of years.
WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF TERRAZZO SYSTEMS?
Epoxy and cement are most common.
HOW LONG DOES INSTALLATION TAKE?
Total installation time varies greatly from one project to the next, depending on variables such as project size, design complexity, number of colors, project accessibility, technical considerations and even accessible power.
DO I NEED TO HAVE MY TERRAZZO FLOORS RE-POLISHED OVER TIME TO MAINTAIN A HIGH GLOSS FINISH.
Yes, it depends how long the floors have been installed, as well as the level cleaning and re-sealing.
CAN ALL TERRAZZO FLOORS BE REPAIRED?
Yes, they are made of epoxy or cement materials with various aggregates such as marble, glass etc. It is recommended to find a contractor that knows how to work with color and resins for perfect match. This takes great skill.
WHERE DO I BUY TERRAZZO?
Usually an onsite visit where a contractor brings physical samples showing colors and sizes Based on color aggregate sizes and selection of color samples are made for final approval.The Terrazzo is poured in place from the sample selection.
WHAT COLORS DOES TERRAZZO COME IN OR HOW DO I PICK A COLOR?
Depending on the type of terrazzo, it can be just about any color. Pick a matrix/binder color from a paint color fan deck. The aggregate can be selected from a wide variety of aggregates. Contact us if you need help with this process.
CAN TERRAZZO GO OVER TILE?
Terrazzo is not generally recommended to be installed over tile.
WHAT SURFACES CAN TERRAZZO GO OVER?
It is best to install terrazzo over structural concrete; contact us or a professional terrazzo contractor to discuss the possibility of installing terrazzo over other surfaces.
CAN I INSTALL TERRAZZO?
Poured in place terrazzo requires a lot of skill and experience, as well as industrial grinders. It is highly recommended terrazzo be installed by professional contractors.
IS TERRAZZO ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY?
Yes, is one of the most sustainable floors available. It can contain recycled glass and other aggregates, but it is the most sustainable for its life cycle. A terrazzo floor rarely if ever needs to be replaced, so while other types of flooring create trash (hazardous in some cases), terrazzo in many cases, can be refinished or restored at the end of its life cycle, restarting the whole cycle with no removal or replacement. Even when terrazzo is replaced, it is rarely removed, rather the new flooring will go directly over the top.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE FROM EPOXY/CEMENT TERRAZZO?
The difference between the two is with epoxy/terrazzo is only the binder referred as the matrix. Both materials use the same aggregate sizes, marble, glass, shells, etc. Both systems also use the similar pantone coloring methods. Epoxy/cement terrazzo requires the use of divider strips. Divider strips are very important for both system as they allow for controlled fracturing the same way a control joint for concrete works. In some cases additional work is needed to prepare unstable concrete substrates such as excessive large moving cracks or concrete cold joints.
WHAT ARE THE DESIGN LIMITATIONS OF TERRAZZO?
Design options with terrazzo are unlimited. Architects, designers and building owners can come up with any possible combination. The design potential of terrazzo is unique to the industry. Terrazzo offers unlimited colors; colors can be matched using a simple paint color card. Color consistency and accuracy is easy to achieve.
Terrazzo aggregate combinations are unlimited. Traditional marble and granite chips of all colors and sizes can be used also recycled glass, recycled mirror glass which reflects light. tinted windshield glass, bottle glass, plate glass and recycled porcelain, Mother of pearl
Any design od metal divider stripes can be used in shapes, artistic patterns, geometric shapes, intricate logos and artwork, to simple floors can be achieved.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE FROM EPOXY/CEMENT TERRAZZO?
The difference between the two is with epoxy/terrazzo is only the binder referred as the matrix. Both materials use the same aggregate sizes, marble, glass, shells, etc.
Both systems also use the similar pantone coloring methods. Epoxy/cement terrazzo requires the use of divider strips. Divider strips are very important for both system as they allow for controlled fracturing the same way a control joint for concrete works.
In some cases additional work is needed to prepare unstable concrete substrates such as excessive large moving cracks or concrete cold joints.
HOW IS A TERRAZZO FLOOR INSTALLED?
The installation of a terrazzo floor system is an art, involving great skill and heavy machinery.
The application of a terrazzo floor varies. Various terrazzo systems require different installation processes.
Concrete surface preparation is necessary to ensure the substrate has a strong bond to the terrazzo system. Addressing cracks is necessary to suppress cracks in the concrete from transmitting upwards into the terrazzo floor topping. Basic crack repair is achieved with the use of a semi-flexible epoxy. As the substrate moves over time, the semi-flexible epoxy can move without cracking, but somewhat restricts the movement to protect the terrazzo topping.
Metal divider strips are cut to proper lengths or patterns and are adhered to the floor. Priming of the substrate helps to achieve a strong bond between the substrate and the terrazzo finish. Epoxy resin is combined with marble chips and filler, mixed thoroughly and poured in a thick mud like mortar, over the primed floor. The terrazzo mix is then spread by trowel, by hand or other tools over the primed surface.
Once the epoxy terrazzo flooring material has dried, usually 24 hours (cement up to 7-28 days), it can be gound and polished. Grinding is completed with the use of industrial grinding and polishing equipment.
The grinding process begins with lower grit diamonds for the rough cut and higher grit diamonds for a smoother finish to achieve a uniform and brilliant surface. Smaller hand grinding machines are used for smaller hard to reach areas.
Filling pinholes with terrazzo grout is necessary to insure that a non-porous, uniform surface. The grout material is epoxy or cement based depending on system. The color is matched in the manufactured process.
The terrazzo surface is polished and a final sealer is applied. The sealer serves as protection for the floor. Various sealers are available and most are slip-resistance, light reflective and chemical resistance.