Terrazzo Today: Exploring the Journey from Origins to Today’s Trends

The benefits of choosing terrazzo

Are you unfamiliar with terrazzo flooring? No worries! Today, we will be covering the following topics to help you gain a better understanding of it:

• The history and origins of terrazzo

• The modern-day use of terrazzo flooring

• The process of installing poured terrazzo floors

• Tips on selecting a trustworthy terrazzo contractor

• The benefits of using terrazzo as a flooring material.

When was terrazzo invented?

Terrazzo is a flooring material that has opened up many design possibilities in recent times. Its origins date back to mid-16th century Venice, where mosaic workers found a way to reuse marble remnants by mixing them with concrete to create terraces around their living quarters.

Initially, terrazzo was polished by hand using a long-handled tool called a Galera. However, it did not become popular until the 1920s, when the electric grinder machine replaced the Galera. This mechanization of the production process significantly reduced costs and installation time, making terrazzo an affordable flooring option.

In recent years, further developments have made terrazzo even more cost-effective, versatile, and high-functioning.

Terrazzo today

Market studies indicate that epoxy terrazzo is currently the fastest-growing terrazzo system. This is due to several reasons. Designers and architects prefer epoxy terrazzo because it has no grout lines, is seamless, and offers limitless design opportunities.

The terrazzo system, VIA.ZZO, is an eco-friendly, hybrid epoxy-acrylic terrazzo that is poured, grinded, and polished on-site, with no joints under 100 square meters. Terrazzo divider strips are integrated into the flooring surface to separate areas larger than 100 square meters or to separate different colors of a particular design. This new flooring material is an evolution from the classic cement-based terrazzo flooring and provides an escape from the world of plain patterns and ready-made products.

Poured Terrazzo Floor Installation

Terrazzo is a type of flooring that is created by pouring a mixture of marble, granite, glass or other aggregates and fillers, combined with cement or resin binder, onto the floor. The mixture is then grinded, grouted, and polished to create a seamless and shiny finish.

Cement terrazzo systems are thicker and heavier compared to thin-set epoxy terrazzo. While they offer a wide range of colors, the colors are not as vibrant as epoxy terrazzo systems. With epoxy or polyurethane-based systems, colored resins can be easily poured into any desired pattern. Thanks to the versatility of this seamless resin flooring, designers can think of the floor area as a canvas on which they can create bespoke works of art.

With over two decades of experience in the resin flooring industry, we believe that quality is the key to successful terrazzo installations. That’s why we are proud that we received international recognition from the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association (NTMA) in 2020 after a rigorous four-year admission process. The NTMA is the only professional terrazzo flooring organization in the world, providing and following the highest standards and procedures in the terrazzo industry.

Our terrazzo brand, VIA.ZZO, fully complies with all NTMA standards and regulations.

Let’s take the first step into the epoxy terrazzo flooring installation process!

Surface Preparation

Surface preparation is the most crucial step in installing a terrazzo flooring system as it ensures long-lasting results by creating a strong connection between the substrate and the system applied.

The recommended substrate for this type of flooring system is concrete.

During the surface preparation process, installers remove the top layer of concrete to reinforce the bond between the concrete and the terrazzo. This results in a solid concrete surface that is free of laitance, glaze, efflorescence, curing compounds, form-release agents, dust, dirt, grease, oil, and other contaminants that could be incompatible with terrazzo.

Priming, repairs, and leveling 

The installation of terrazzo flooring requires a few important steps to ensure a smooth and long-lasting finish. Firstly, the installers will repair any cracks in the concrete surface by using a resinous material to prevent them from moving upwards into the terrazzo installation. Additionally, if the floor levels are uneven, the installers will level it before proceeding.

After that, a primer will be applied to enhance the bonding between the concrete slab and the terrazzo. This primer is designed to seal the concrete surface and achieve a strong bond between the substrate and the terrazzo installation.

Our VIA.ZZO system also includes a moisture mitigation membrane to control water vapor evaporation and a crack suppression membrane reinforced with fiberglass mesh underlayer. These elements work together to ensure that the terrazzo installation is durable and long-lasting, providing you with a beautiful and reliable floor for years to come.

Strip Layout

Divider strips are utilized to separate areas larger than 100 square meters or to distinguish different colors within a specific design. All of them will be grinded and polished together with the flooring system. Additionally, they can be used as a creative way to enhance the flooring design.

Pouring the terrazzo mixture!

The terrazzo installation process involves careful preparation and precise measurements to create the terrazzo mixture. The installers then pour the mixture onto the floor, using a trowel to ensure it is evenly distributed. Once level, the mixture is left to harden.

Grinding and polishing

Next, the artisans grind and polish the surface continuously until it shines. Finishing treatments are then applied to complete the process. The thickness of the terrazzo can vary, depending on the pattern used, but typically ranges from 15 mm to 20 mm,  even 30 mm for Scarpa and Palladiana patterns. All aspects of the installation procedures, from mixing and pouring to grinding and polishing, are done by hand. It requires a great deal of hard work and team effort, as well as in-depth knowledge of materials and technologies, and the use of professional machinery and tools.

How to choose a reliable terrazzo contractor?

When choosing a contractor to install terrazzo flooring, it is important to ensure that they are highly skilled and can deliver the highest quality installation.

The easiest way to guarantee a professional, pre-qualified terrazzo contractor is to use a member of the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association, Inc. (NTMA). NTMA contractors and associate members are performance-based and will ensure a high-quality floor.

VIA.ZZO is the only NTMA terrazzo flooring contractor in Europe and complies with all NTMA standards and regulations.

So, why terrazzo is a great material for flooring?

Terrazzo is a highly versatile and durable material that can withstand the test of time. It offers exceptional design potential and is also environmentally friendly. Terrazzo is highly resistant to wear and easy to maintain. Moreover, it is a seamless and antimicrobial flooring material that doesn’t have tile grouts. This means that it doesn’t support microbial growth or allow moisture to accumulate, thus creating a mold-free environment.

Terrazzo can be used in a variety of ways, including flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, walls, furniture, and other bespoke designs and patterns.

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in terrazzo among interior designers and architects, as it is a sustainable flooring system. Terrazzo has become a popular choice for modern designs, not just for flooring but also for furniture and decor accents. It is one of the most modern design trends and has seen a major resurgence in the last few years.

To learn more about terrazzo, check out viazzo.ro

For more information about NTMA, visit ntma.com