4 Steps to Design Terrazzo

Picking the right terrazzo for a project can be pretty daunting, but don’t worry – I’m here to help! I’ll provide you with 4 steps to design terrazzo for your next project. Terrazzo offers endless design possibilities, but every decision, from  resin color to aggregate size makes a HUGE impact on how the final product looks. That’s why it’s very important to take your time and plan carefully when working with terrazzo.

Beyond aesthetics, terrazzo is a collaborative effort. Many influencers including terrazzo installers, material suppliers, and designers can all contribute in making the vision come to life. Here are 4 tips to help you choose the perfect terrazzo for your next project!

1. Start with Your Interior Design Vision

Before selecting terrazzo, look at the big picture and define the overall aesthetic of the space. Terrazzo is often installed in offices, schools, airports and other high-traffic spots, so the floor should complement the surrounding elements.

How to do this effectively:

• Choose an accent piece first – furniture, the walls, or an architectural feature. This helps establish a color scheme for the space that is really going to set the mood for everything built.
• Think of ways to incorporate terrazzo in the space. It can be more than just floors. Maybe consider terrazzo for a stair or wall system.
• Consider how terrazzo can effectively tie in branding or storytelling with logos, patterns or graphics
• Look at inspiration from past terrazzo projects or find examples online to understand what works best or expands your imagination.

2. Design Your Floor Layout

Now, with a vision in place, it’s time to dedicate yourself to learning how to design the terrazzo floor One of our partners came up with a few good tips for designing terrazzo floors, which you can find here.

One of the best things about terrazzo is its unlimited design flexibility. It can be as simple as one color or elaborate with an intricate logo design. The choice is yours!

Key Design Considerations:

• Simple vs Complex: Terrazzo can be simplistic with one or two colors, or can be elaborate with intricate artistic designs or multiple colors.
• Divider Strips: Divider strips come in different materials (aluminum, zinc, brass, etc.) that help to separate colors and form the layout of the design. Divider strips also play an important role in function, and should be in areas where an architect believes a floor has the potential to crack. This can affect how architects design the space.
• Waterjet vs. Hand-cut: With today’s technologies, a waterjet can expand the possibilities of terrazzo designs with great precision. Hand-cut strips can work to form basic patterns; however, a waterjet can take a designer’s idea and make it happen with ease.

3. Pick a Color, any Resin Color for your Terrazzo Floor

Color selection is one of the most important steps in designing terrazzo, and honestly is the easiest step. Whether you want a neutral tone or a vibrant color, epoxy terrazzo specifically can achieve any color you desire for your project.

How to Choose the Right Colors:

• Review a Color Palette: Develop an interior theme. Once you have a few colors in mind, browse through a color deck to find the hue that closely matches to your theme. Any paint deck will do. Just consult with the epoxy resin supplier, and they will work to achieve that color for the terrazzo design.
• Limit your Colors: For a cohesive appearance, we recommend limiting to no more than five resin colors per building space for optimal results. More colors may be required if the terrazzo floor is highly artistic or supports the purpose of the building space.

Sample Tip: It’s better to acquire more samples in the design development stage to review colors. This will ensure for certain colors, the hues meet your expectations and allow you to evaluate color transitions. We advise placing samples on the floor and looking straight down at the designs to get a better idea of how the floor will look as if it were already installed.

4. Time to rock by selecting your marble or glass aggregates!

Now comes the challenging part: selecting your aggregates for the terrazzo flooring. The size, color, and type of aggregate will determine the texture, pattern, and overall finish of your terrazzo floor.

If you’re unsure about this selection process, I highly recommend reaching out to your terrazzo supplier for assistance. Their expertise can prove invaluable in helping you achieve the desired look. Simply provide them with a few details, and they can guide you from there. It’s crucial to make the right aggregate selection because choosing the wrong ones can negatively impact the overall appearance of your floor and, consequently, your entire space. For example, aggregates that are too large or too small, or mixing lighter aggregates with darker matrices can sometimes produce less desired results.

Quick Things to Know when Selecting Aggregates for Terrazzo:

• Standard Aggregates for Epoxy Terrazzo
  • For 3/8″ epoxy terrazzo, use sizes 0-2 for the best results.
  • For 1/4″ epoxy terrazzo, stick to sizes 0 and 1 for optimal performance.
• Venetian Aggregates (Size 3-8):
  • These larger aggregates create a bold, pronounced design but require a thicker binder.
  • Due to their size, grinding and finishing can be more challenging—proper planning is essential.

Terrazzo Design Mistakes to Avoid

• If using a dark colors, avoid using a large percentage of glass chips as it makes the aggregate appear fractured.
• Use fine aggregates (size #0 and #00) sparingly in a custom mix design.
• Consider aggregate hardness. Prevent mixing hard aggregates (ex. granite) with softer aggregates (ex. plastic).
• Avoid color trends that may not stand the test of time.
• Factor in lighting situations as certain aggregates (Mother of Pearl, mirror glass) react differently various lighting conditions.

Keep in mind that when you receive samples, you must expect variations to occur with the finished product.