Isn't terrazzo an antiquated flooring system that no one uses anymore?
Terrazzo's history dates back thousands of years. Its durability, low maintenance and unparalleled
design capacity for custom installations make terrazzo the perfect flooring for modern architecture and
creative expression. Over the past several decades, the use of epoxy terrazzo has streamlined the
installation process while making terrazzo flooring a more accessible, more affordable, and flexible
product for custom designs. Almost 300 million square feet of terrazzo was installed in the U.S. in 2015,
and a recent study by a national research firm predicts terrazzo will be the one of the fastest growing
construction systems in the next 10 years, with the market expanding to well over 400 million square
feet by 2024.
Doesn't Terrazzo take too much time to install?
Epoxy terrazzo is typically installed today, a growing trend over the past twenty years or more. Epoxy
floors are only 3/8 inch thick and are much faster to install than the thicker, traditional sand cushion
terrazzo. An epoxy floor will typically cure overnight, accelerating the installation schedule.
Isn't terrazzo expensive?
Terrazzo is a permanent, premium flooring and generally has a higher initial installation cost.
However a simple pattern and mix is surprisingly competitive against other finishes. Even with
elaborate designs, when maintenance and replacement costs are considered, terrazzo has the lowest
total cost per year. There are buildings across America where all the finishes have been replaced
over and over, yet the terrazzo floors remain as beautiful as ever. Terrazzo endures year after
year providing more and more value.
Cost Calculator:
Terrazzo Cost Calculator
Durability:
Stories in Stone
Doesn't Terrazzo require special products to clean and is hard to maintain?
Actually, the opposite is true. Terrazzo only requires regular damp mopping with clean water and occasional
re-sealing. Wax or polishes are not only unnecessary, but harmful, tending to create buildup and dull the
finish on terrazzo. The maintenance products are readily available at local box hardware stores. There are
special sealers available for terrazzo to enhance or provide additional protection if required. Click:
Care of Terrazzo for the NTMA's
Terrazzo Maintenance Guide.
Besides the aesthetic appeal of terrazzo, what are some of the other benefits of terrazzo?
Terrazzo is poured in place, then ground hard and smooth. Its seamless finish benefits a wide variety of
buildings. For airports, wheeled suitcases glide effortlessly and silently over terrazzo. For hospitals,
no grout joints means eliminating a potential location for bacteria and microbial growth zones. Terrazzo
is also an environmentally friendly finish that's easy to maintain and extremely durable and resistant to
damage.
I heard that the new epoxy terrazzo can have VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) issues.
This is not true. Epoxy used for terrazzo are very low VOC as they are a high solid blend. This allows for a
wet and dry film thickness being the same. Epoxy terrazzo is considered friendly to the environment and
building occupants.
I heard terrazzo is difficult and only experts can install terrazzo.
This is more true than false. We recommend working with only terrazzo contractors who are NTMA members.
The level of skill required to properly install terrazzo also explains why the NTMA has extensive education
and training programs. Your NTMA contractors know that training and skill enhancement is the key to quality
terrazzo installations.
If I decide to specify terrazzo, I am a bit lost and have no idea which system to select, products to specify or how to even get started.
This is where the NTMA and WSTA can provide guidance for specifiers who are not at the stage of contacting an installer.
A staff of experts are available to address your terrazzo questions, including a dedicated Technical Advisor:
Tech-Info@ntma.com.
Drying time of the slab makes terrazzo impractical.
Concrete slabs cure to become hard. While they can take time to dry in many regions, a moisture mitigation
system can keep the project on schedule and alleviate the issue of a wet slab.
I can only do squares and rectangles with terrazzo.
Even 100-year-old terrazzo floors demonstrate design capacity far beyond squares and rectangles, and today's
technology allows designers the freedom to create virtually any shape. Check out our Design Applications page for
examples of custom floor designs.
WSTA Project Galleries
Terrazzo is only for new construction.
To the contrary, terrazzo is perfect for retro-fits. Terrazzo can be poured over concrete slabs and other
surfaces, old or new, including old terrazzo. Check with the NTMA for guidance.
After many years, terrazzo will look bad and nothing can be done.
Terrazzo is ground smooth and then polished. Even decades later, minor damage can be repaired and floors
can be re-polished to return them to their original luster. Evidence of terrazzo's lasting beauty is seen
in many buildings around the country.
www.ntma.com/how-terrazzo-weathers-a-hurricane/
My building will not accommodate the three inches needed for sand cushion terrazzo.
New terrazzo systems can be poured as thin as ⅜ of an inch. New terrazzo systems are the result of modern
advancements in chemistry, allowing thinner terrazzo installations, with the same durability and strength
of the older systems.
What can I do to aid in the suppression of reflective cracking?
NTMA contractors are trained in installing crack suppression membranes under the terrazzo. These membranes
can aid dramatically in the suppression of reflective cracking.
Can I use glass and other exotic aggregates?
Yes, Mother of Pearl has been used for centuries. Today we use pre and post recycled glass, porcelain,
mirrored and windshield chips. Vibrant colored synthetic chips are also available.
Can terrazzo be used on a surface that is not flat?
The substrate must be flat to keep an even thickness of terrazzo. However, with floors that are out of
tolerance, the terrazzo contractor can install materials that will to bring the slab into tolerance.
Substrates that are sloped, such as ramps, are not a problem.
Can I use terrazzo for treads, risers, base and vertical surfaces?
Yes, they can be poured in place or pre-cast at a shop and installed on-site in sections.
Can I use epoxy terrazzo outside?
No, epoxy is somewhat UV sensitive and has a thermal coefficient of expansion that makes it generally not
suitable for exteriors. However, cement-based rustic terrazzo systems are perfect for outdoor use.
How do I increase the slip resistance of terrazzo?
The surface of the natural terrazzo is not slippery. The sealers and coatings selected will dictate the
slip resistance. Refer to each manufacturer. Only products designed for terrazzo should be used on terrazzo.
The National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association (NTMA) is a full service Non-Profit Trade Association that establishes national
standards for all Terrazzo floor and wall systems providing complete specifications, color plates, and general information to
architects and designers at no cost.
The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a sustainable, prosperous future through LEED,
the leading program for green buildings and communities worldwide.
