Terrazzo, a composite material with a long history, is back in trend. Popular especially in Europe, North Africa and America, terrazzo gives personality to the space, and the variety of colors and textures offers the possibility of placing it as a key element in several areas of the house, not just on the floor. So, if you have plans to redecorate, terrazzo will take any room out of anonymity, offering it durability and a sophisticated look – you can arrange the bathroom, kitchen, hallway or decorate a nonconformist living room using terrazzo. We have prepared a special article dedicated to this unique material.
What is terrazzo?
Terrazzo is a composite material created through a cold processing method and poured on-site. Thus, terrazzo is a mixture of cement, marble, glass and other elements (such as seashells or brass) to which inorganic pigments are added, giving it chromatic versatility. Therefore, these handmade cement tiles develop a slightly unfinished appearance that gives an extra personality to the material. As time passes, terrazzo tiles will remain just as spectacular precisely because the pattern and colors do not change due to the fact that the pigment layer in the composition of the tiles is very thick.
Terrazzo Tile Uses
Terrazzo tiles are used for wall cladding (both interior and exterior), flooring, and bathroom or kitchen countertops. Its beauty, durability, and versatility makes it easy to be integrated in a multitude of spaces, both in public areas and inside homes.
Terrazzo Tile Installation
Before its implementation, terrazzo tiles are immersed in water for a few minutes, and after drying they can be installed with a thick layer of adhesive, applied both to the tiles and to the area where they will be inserted. After installing the tile, it must be pressed by hand. The process continues until the entire desired surface is covered with terrazzo tiles. It is very important that the adhesive completely covers the tile and that no piece is left without adhesive in order to avoid cracking over time. Terrazzo tiles must dry completely before stepping on the surface where they were installed. The drying process takes approximately 48 hours.
Terrazzo Tile Maintenance
Terrazo tiles must be properly maintained if you want them to retain their unique beauty. We recommend using mild cleaning solutions that do not contain bleach, acids or other substances that can attack the surface of the tiles.
Pictures source: Pinterst