Why should I choose Terrazzo?
Aesthetics
Terrazzo brings design flexibility not available in other flooring systems. Over the years, we’ve learned never to tell a designer or architect that “it can’t be done” with terrazzo. Every time we thought terrazzo had design limitations, we were proven wrong. An unlimited color range coupled with a plethora of aggregate options from mother of pearl, to marble, to recycled glass; these are among the many advantages offered by terrazzo. Whether you’re looking for a modern monochromatic look, or an artistic piece reminiscent of classic italian mosaics, or detailed artistic work with a photographic quality, terrazzo is your canvas.
Terrazzo is Green
In terms of green technology, nothing beats terrazzo. The first terrazzo-like floors were created nearly 9,000 years ago in the middle east and they still exist today, with a compressive strength of nearly 500 pounds per square inch! Cementitious terrazzo floors still stand in many buildings throughout ancient Venice, including at least one installed as early as 1309. This ancient terrazzo is remarkably analogous to modern cementitious terrazzo, almost to the point of indistinguishability, and it still looks great after all these centuries! There could not be clearer confirmation of the superior sustainability of terrazzo.
With modern technology and the advent of epoxy terrazzo, modern terrazzo floors are even more sustainable and durable than cement terrazzo floors. Additionally, with epoxy terrazzo we now have the option to incorporate post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled content such as glass, into timeless terrazzo floors. Terrazzo is green.
Sanitation
Master Terrazzo’s Morricite system meets the most stringent of environmental standards, even the indoor air quality emission requirements for the State of California EPA, section 01350. This non-porous system does not support microbial growth and does not allow accumulation of moisture, absorbing water at a rate 1/10th that of cementitious terrazzo which results in an abnormally high stain resistance of the overall system. Additionally, this lack of water absorption and porosity results in a surface requiring only minimal cleaning processes, without the need for use of harsh cleaning chemicals.
Durability
Cementitious terrazzo floors still stand in many buildings throughout ancient Venice, including at least one installed as early as 1480, and epoxy terrazzo floors are even more durable. An epoxy terrazzo floor can be expected to outlast the life of the building it is installed in.
Low Maintenance
Given the non-porous nature of epoxy terrazzo, only minimal cleaning is required. A terrazzo floor will almost certainly never require replacement, as opposed to carpet, vinyl flooring or tile, which needs replacement from time to time, especially in high foot-traffic areas. There are no grout joints to allow for dirt accumulation. Because of the low maintenance necessary and the permanence of the system, there is no question that terrazzo “pays for itself” over time.
Life Cycle Cost
The cost of a flooring system over time includes the initial cost, plus maintenance costs and replacement costs over the life of the flooring system. When calculating the life cycle cost of terrazzo based on these factors their isn’t any product which compares to cementitious or epoxy terrazzo. Life-cycle Costs of Terrazzo.