10 Sep Pros and Cons of Terrazzo
Pros and Cons of Terrazzo
This blog focuses on the pros and cons of terrazzo so that you can make a conscious decision as to whether this flooring is perfect for either your home, business, or commercial project.
What is Terrazzo Flooring + Why Use It?
Terrazzo is a composite material made by embedding aggregates into either a cement or epoxy binder, then grinding and polishing it smooth. It is valued for durability, design flexibility, and a long lifecycle, making it popular in airports, schools, hospitals, and other high-traffic spaces. Beyond floors, terrazzo is also applied to stairs, walls, and countertops. These can be created by either precast or poured in place methods.
Pros of Terrazzo
Here is a quick summary of the benefits of terrazzo.
- Durability: Lasts decades, resists wear, and can be refinished
- Low Maintenance: Easy to clean with sweeping and mopping with occasional resealing
- Design Flexibility: Unlimited colors and freedom for creativity
- Sustainability: Often made with recycled aggregates and contains zero VOCs
- Hygienic: Non-porous epoxy resists stains, bacteria and moisture
- High Performance: Withstands heavy foot traffic for years.
Durability
Terrazzo is one of the most durable flooring materials available today. Once sealed properly, the material is impervious to water and stain damage. It also does not chip away like other materials. With the increase in popularity of this material, architects turn to terrazzo. Terrazzo can withstand high traffic areas, which makes it a chosen product in commercial buildings. Even if terrazzo is worn down over the years, it can be re-finished and polished to look as good as new. When considering the low maintenance of terrazzo, it provides a long-lasting product at an affordable price.
Limitless Design
Terrazzo embeds marble, granite, quartz, or glass chips in an epoxy resin binder, retaining aesthetic quality as seen in traditional based terrazzo. Because terrazzo is manufactured by mixing different elements together, you can choose almost any design or floor for any project. This allows architects to include abstract decorative designs, seals, logos, and other designs during the terrazzo installation.
Environmentally-Friendly
Terrazzo is a beneficial material that helps in the design of sustainable buildings. To preserve scarce materials, terrazzo is a great alternative to other flooring types. The material can consist of recycled materials that have a positive impact on the health of people and the environment. Epoxy resins like the ones we manufacture at TERRAZZCO contain zero VOC contents, which diminishes harmful gasses from dispersing into the air, thus improving overall air quality. Architects and designers not only seek out terrazzo for its durability and design but also its contribution to LEED points. Because terrazzo is innovative, consists of recycled materials, and can be sourced locally, it can play a huge role in shaping the world of architecture.
Indoor and Outdoor Applications
Installers can apply terrazzo in both indoor and outdoor settings (Note: Epoxy terrazzo is best for indoor use only; for outdoor applications, go with cement terrazzo). Today you can find this flooring material in high traffic areas such as lobbies, hallways, and stairways. With the ability to repel water and stains, terrazzo is also a valuable item for countertops, showers, baths, and swimming pools. So whether you go with thin-set epoxy for indoor applications or rustic terrazzo for outdoor applications, terrazzo can meet the architect’s needs to fit their style.
Cons Of Terrazzo
Here is a quick summary of the drawbacks of terrazzo:
- High initial cost: More expensive upfront than tile, carpet, and vinyl
- Complex Installation: Requires skilled contractors; not DIY-recommended
- UV Sensitivity (Epoxy): Epoxy terrazzo is not recommended for outdoors
- Porosity (Cement): Cement terrazzo absorbs stains, thus requires periodic sealing.
High Initial Cost
Terrazzo will save you money over time as it is quite durable and requires few repairs. However, the initial cost of terrazzo per square foot is higher in comparison to other materials. For people limited on budget, terrazzo seems unfavorable for projects.
Cold Nature Of Floor
One of the disadvantages of terrazzo is that the surface does not retain heat well during the winter months, making the floor feeling a tad cold. Unless you have a heat insulator beneath the terrazzo, this may cause discomfort to those who walk across the floor barefoot.
Recommended Professional Installation
While some flooring types can be installed personally, terrazzo floors can be quite complex. One mistake could be costly. We recommend seeking a terrazzo installation company to do the work. You can find a list of professional terrazzo installers at NTMA.com. Each installer will be able to correctly install your floor.
Is Terrazzo Worth It?
Problem: Cheaper materials may look fine initially but wear down quickly, stain, or need repeated repair. This leads to costly downtime and replacements.
Solution: For commercial and institutional projects, terrazzo offers unmatched durability, design flexibility, and lifecycle value. While the upfront cost is high, the low maintenance and decade-long performance make terrazzo one of the most cost-effective surfaces over time.
Contact Us for Assistance
Concord Terrazzo Company simplifies the process from start to finish: we supply high-quality aggregates, manufacture custom precast terrazzo products, and produce premium epoxy resins to meet your project’s exact specifications.
Whether you’re designing floors, stairs, walls, or countertops, our team helps you select the right system, match colors and patterns, and provide product guidance. Avoid the common pitfalls of choosing inferior materials. Our expertise ensures your terrazzo surfaces last for decades while maintaining their beauty and performance.
Like more information about terrazzo? Contact Concord Terrazzo Company today at info@terrazzco.com.
CUSTOM TERRAZZO
Learn how to customize a terrazzo floor with TERRAZZCO. Find out all the materials needed to complete your next project.
ARCHITECTURAL BINDER
Download our Architectural Binder for more information on terrazzo flooring and TERRAZZCO Brand Products.
CONTACT US
Have questions about terrazzo, speak with a TERRAZZCO representative. Our team of experts can offer solutions for your project.