Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with Terrazzo
Floor materials like terrazzo help the Earth. Just like in our everyday lives where we are making conscious decisions to recycle or reuse an item, the same applies to flooring. Terrazzo helps to reduce, reuse and recycle materials that ultimately conserve the planet.
Sustainable choices are preferred in modern buildings today for their environmental benefits. Terrazzo is a natural choice for green construction projects. In recent years, there has been an increase in epoxy terrazzo installations, and its components make a difference. Terrazzo manufacturers are producing epoxy resins that emit zero VOCs and are made with recycled materials. Furthermore, a terrazzo floor comprises at least 70% chip density. Designers have options to include chips that are recycled and sourced within their region.
Concord Terrazzo Company is a terrazzo manufacturer and supplier focused on enhancing the durability and sustainability of our products each year. In everything, we do from manufacturing terrazzo materials to installation, and environmentally-friendly maintenance, all aspects of our product approach take sustainability into account. In this blog, we will focus on ways terrazzo supports the planet through reduce, reuse and recycle.
REDUCE
A terrazzo floor has a lifecycle that lasts around 75 to 100 years. Compared to floors like carpet and tile, terrazzo typically does not require replacing.
As a result, the longevity of terrazzo supports the reduction of waste ending up in landfills or needing to be recycled. New products consume a lot of resources extracted from the Earth and energy. The product then must be manufactured and shipped to their location. A terrazzo floor can be restored to its original appearance by a qualified terrazzo contractor. In doing so, this prevents the need to harvest materials associated with replacement floors.
Once terrazzo is poured in place, it is grinded, polished and sealed. Epoxy terrazzo cures within a day and can be walked on almost immediately. The key aspect of terrazzo floors is to maintain them over the years. Proper maintenance will keep the terrazzo floors in excellent condition, and allow building owners to reap the financial outcomes associated with owning a terrazzo floor.
REUSE
Terrazzo epitomizes the word “reuse”. All you have to do is go back hundreds of years when Venetian mosaic workers reused marble scraps to invent terrazzo.
In certain cases, a homeowner or business owner has unveiled a terrazzo floor hidden underneath the carpet. Rather than replacing the terrazzo, some owners care to preserve the floor despite a dull appearance or some damage.
Terrazzo floors can be easily restored at a fraction of the cost of the initial installation. This gives new life to the terrazzo floor, restoring it to its original appearance.
RECYCLE
When designing terrazzo, there are plenty of recycled material options to consider.
Starting off with aggregates, designers can select among post-consumer and post-industrial aggregates like glass, mirrors, porcelain, and plastics. Many products are destined for landfills, but at Concord Terrazzo Company we source materials from waste facilities and crush them down to aggregates in different size grades.
Divider strips are another source of recycled materials. Aluminum and zinc divider strips are used to form the layout of the terrazzo design. It helps to separate colors, form shapes, and craft detailed logos.
A terrazzo floor can last 75 to 100 years. After the end of the lifecycle, components of the terrazzo floor can be recycled and reused again if necessary.
Conclusion
Among the green building materials that can be selected for projects today, terrazzo flooring is a versatile and sustainable flooring choice to consider. Concord Terrazzo Company representatives can assist you in discussing recycled material options when planning out a terrazzo project. Contact us today.