Everything You Need To Know About Terrazzo Tiles

Few building materials can live up to the sumptuousness and versatility of terrazzo!

Terrazzo originated in Italy throughout the 16th century as an effective way to reuse any stone offcuts. Although this material has been around for thousands of years, it has not lost its grace!

Terrazzo has quickly returned to mainstream style over the past few decades, rising to huge prominence in the 1920s in the form of Terrazzo Tiles. These were — and still are — a huge factor in all sorts of interior decorating. 

Today, terrazzo tiles are commonly used as part of the construction of modern flooring. 

Here’s everything you need to know about terrazzo tiles.

What Is Terrazzo?

The name of this ancient composite material is derived from the Latin word for ground, ‘terra’, and provides any interior with an artisanal and almost Mediterranean feel. 

Terrazzo is a composite material consisting of marble chippings that have been set into cement. This simply means that instead of being monolithic, it’s composed of different merged elements.

Specifically, marble chips (or glass, granite, or quartz) are mixed with concrete to achieve physical and chemical binding. Once it has been cured, the surface is polished to achieve the smooth finish synonymous with terrazzo.

It’s either pre-cast into blocks that are then cut to size or poured in situ by hand.

Terrazzo Characteristics

Terrazzo has many amazing qualities, including the following:

• Water-resistant, so it doesn’t stain easily
• Affordable 
• Easy to maintain
• Hard wearing
• Tough to chip 
• Versatile design

Development of Terrazzo Tiles

Although terrazzo must be laid in situ, specifically for flooring, the overall development and later emergence of the terrazzo tile represents a huge leap in terms of evolutionary design. 

These tiles are generally just as colorful and varied as traditionally laid terrazzo, creating a beautiful material with a robust nature.

Nowadays, you can buy ready-made terrazzo tiles that can be applied straight to the walls and floors of your home. 

Where To Use Terrazzo Tiles At Home

To make life simple for those who love the terrazzo effect, introducing terrazzo tiles is a hassle-free way of introducing the specific design into all sorts of home décor. 

Typically speaking, terrazzo has a subtle beauty that also offers a whole host of incredible practical advantages for different parts of the home. We’ve included some examples for you below.

Outdoors

Terrazzo tiles are very durable which means they’re a practical choice for terraces, patios, as a garden feature, or as a decorative element around a swimming pool. It also provides a chic frame for any decking.

Living Spaces

Although terrazzo tiles are mostly associated with larger scale and institutional interiors, it’s a perfect addition to any living room or lounge. You could add it in as a surround for a paraffin or gas fireplace to create a focal point for the room.

Bathroom

If there is one room in the home that is made for showcasing the beauty of terrazzo tiles, it’s the bathroom. They lend a unique sense of color, performance, and texture to all sorts of bathroom surfaces, which gives the room lots of character. 

If you think of 1920s Hollywood bathrooms, where glamour, luxury, and elegance were key, you’ll understand why terrazzo tiles were (and still are) so popular!

Kitchen

Terrazzo tiles can be used to create some continental flare in the kitchen on the floor, the walls, or even the kitchen cabinets.

The instant effect is striking and chic, conjuring images of a whole range of cultures that are solely built around the concept of appreciating and sharing different types of food. 

Terrazzo tiles can also be easily wiped down and cleaned, meaning it’s very suitable for a kitchen for the floor or other surfaces.

How to Clean Terrazzo Tiles

Making sure that these tiles are dust-free is crucial, so we’d strongly recommend regular brushing. You can use a non-abrasive damp brush dipped in water to eliminate localized stains, but only use small circular movements to do so.

Never use harsh cleaning products that are chemical-heavy as they will erode or damage the surface of the tile over time. 

Remember to thoroughly dry and then polish the tiles after you have finished cleaning to achieve an optimum finish and to guarantee the longevity of the tiles.

Summary

And that’s all you need to know about terrazzo tiles! These stunning tiles are durable, and beautiful, and blend well with just about any design theme. They can be used for any purpose but are usually more widely used as stylish flooring.