11 Aug Where Do Aggregates Come From?
Where Do Aggregates Come From?
Aggregates are granular materials used in construction. Aggregates can be categorized to include sand, crushed glass, marble, recycled, and manufactured aggregates.
Terrazzo aggregates are chips of natural stone, glass, or shells embedded in an epoxy binder to create terrazzo flooring, countertops, and other precast elements. These aggregates are sourced from quarries, recycling facilities, and coastal harvesting operations domestically or internationally, then crushed and graded to standard chip sizes (size #0 to #2) or custom sizes before use.
Architects and designers choose aggregates to control color, texture, sustainability credentials, and LEED compliance. This guide explains various aggregate categories and how sourcing decisions affect your project.
What are the Main Types of Terrazzo Aggregates?
Terrazzo aggregates fall into three categories:
| Type | Source | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Stone | Quarries, riverbeds, hot springs | Marble, granite, travertine, agate, onyx, serpentine |
| Recycled Materials | Recycling facilities, demolition sites | Glass, mirror, porcelain, concrete |
| Shells | Freshwater and saltwater coasts | Mother of Pearl |
Where Do Natural Stone Aggregates Come From?
Natural stone aggregates are extracted from quarries and gravel pits, then crushed into chip sizes at processing facilities. They are the most common aggregate types for terrazzo applications and are renowned for color consistency, durability, and hardness. They are the foundation for many new construction, renovation, and repair projects.
Marble Chips – sourced from quarries in the United States. Marble Chips are the industry standard for terrazzo, offering a wide color range and uniform hardness. Marble chips are used in any terrazzo system and are known for being easy to grind and polish.
Travertine – a form of limestone found near hot springs and limestone caves. Common sources include Italy, Turkey, and Mexico. Travertine has tones in white, tan, cream, and walnut.
Granite – extracted from igneous rock formations across North America. Granite aggregates are denser (Mohs 6-7), and add a speckled, high-contrast texture.
Agate & Onyx – semi-precious stones that offer a complete spectrum of colors, making them ideal for custom terrazzo designs.
Sepentine – a metamorphic mineral found near volcanic environments. Known for deep green and black hues, uncommon in other natural aggregates.
Specifier note: TERRAZZCO processes natural aggregates at its Charlotte, NC facility, grading them to NTMA chip sizes: #00 (Micro), #0-2 (Standard), and #3-5 (Venetian).
Where Do Recycled Aggregates Come From?
Recycled aggregates are post-consumer or post-industrial materials, primarily glass, porcelain, and concrete. These materials are diverted from landfills and processed into terrazzo chip sizes.
Recycled Glass – sourced from bottles, windows, and manufacturing scrap. Glass chips are available in a vibrant color range: clear, cobalt blue, green, amber, and other colors you cannot find with marble chips. Glass aggregates contribute to LEED MR credits for recycled contents.
Recycled Mirror – mirror often gets sourced from defective sheets of commercial glass manufacturing or salvaged mirror panels from building fascades, windows, or retail displays.
Recycled Porcelain – Porcelain is widely used in tiles and kitchenware. Post-industrial porcelain is often reclaimed from tile manufacturers, toilets, and construction demolition, then crushed for terrazzo use.
Recycled Concrete – sourced from demolished or renovated buildings. Concrete aggregate is a high-recycled content option for projects targeting LEED v4 Material Resources credits.
The reuse of materials is one of the terrazzo’s benefits. Think about the next time you drink from a glass bottle. Ever wondered what happens to it after it has been recycled? It could very well end up in a terrazzo countertop or floor.
Sustainability Note: The USGBC awards LEED credits under MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization for materials with verified recycled content. Terrazzo with recycled glass or mirror aggregate supports this credit category. Locally sourced aggregates (within 500 miles of the project) also contribute to LEED Regional Materials credit.
Where Does Mother of Pearl Come From?
Mother of Pearl (nacre) is harvested from the inner shell linings of mollusks found in freshwater and saltwater coastal environments worldwide.
Mother of Pearl is a popular choice of aggregate in terrazzo surfaces. Mother of Pearl creates an iridescent, light-refracting surface in terrazzo. Recommended for hospitality and healthcare interiors. Its optical properties shift with viewing angle and light conditions, a quality you won’t find in natural aggregates.
What Chip Sizes are Available For Terrazzo Aggregates?
Chip size controls the visual texture and aggregate density of the finished terrazzo surface. NTMA size grades range from #0 to #8, with size #0 to #2 specified for 3/8″ epoxy terrazzo floors.
Marble Chip Size #0
(1/16″ to 1/8″)
Marble Chip Size #1
(1/8″ to 1/4″)
Marble Chip Size #2
(1/4″ to 3/8″)
Marble Chip Size #3-5
(3/8″ to 3/4″)
How Do Aggregate Sourcing Decisions Affect LEED Credits?
Aggregate material selection directly impacts LEED v4 credit eligibility under the Material Resources (MR) category.
- Recycled content (glass, porcelain, concrete) contributes to MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – sourcing of raw materials
- Regional materials (sourced within 500 miles of the project site) support the location valuation factor in MR credits.
- Rapidly renewable materials have MR Credit consideration for bio-based materials.
Architects specifying terrazzo for LEED projects can request regional sourcing documentation from their supplier.
In conclusion, there are many terrazzo aggregates that an architect or designer can include in a terrazzo design. Architects can receive LEED points for using locally sourced materials in their projects. Concord Terrazzo Company supplies aggregates, manufactures precast terrazzo products and produces epoxy resins as well. Like more information about our product line of terrazzo aggregates? Contact Concord Terrazzo Company today at info@terrazzco.com.
View Aggregate Options
Concord Terrazzo Company crushes, processes, and distributes aggregates across the Charlotte, NC area, and nationwide.
We ensure you get the best quality of material delivered to your location on time at a fair price. Our experts are available to answer your questions and provide recommendations so that you can make an informed decision for your projects.