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As told to Lauren Jones.
Unlike in Europe, where terrazzo is everywhere, from grocery stores to city halls to post offices, in the U.S. we’re not as lucky. Terrazzo is labor-intensive and out of reach for most clients, unless they have deep pockets (it can cost up to $30, if not more, per square foot). Palladiana, a type of terrazzo with larger stone chunks, is unheard of—we hadn’t been able to find any brand or stoneworker who was producing it Stateside.
But a year ago my partner at Bells + Whistles, Jason St. John, and I came across a printed porcelain product from the Italian company Ceramica Fioranese. A stone rep was the first to show us the tile, which is a part of the I Cocci collection, a selection inspired by flooring recovered from a country home in northern Italy dating back to the early 1900s. We absolutely loved it. When we were hired to design the second Marrow Fine store in Newport Beach, California, we knew it would be the perfect time to utilize it. We were hoping to find a client daring enough to try it out and knew owners Tim and Jill Sassone would adore it just as much as we did.
The shop’s first location and the Sassones’ Rancho Mirage home, which we also designed, were much brighter. But for this spot, they wanted to go with more neutral blush tones. The faux terrazzo ended up being the perfect complement. We ended up purchasing it for $5.60 per square foot, plus shipping, and it was easily installed on the floors by our contractor, as it’s a large-format, 36-by-36 tile. Typically terrazzo can be tricky because it’s a thick stone and doesn’t meet handicap accessibility rules, but this product is much thinner yet still very strong.
Now when people walk into the store, they can’t believe it’s not the real thing. I was even surprised!
Our Winter Renovation issue is here! Subscribe now to step inside Leanne Ford’s latest project—her own historic Pennsylvania home. Plus discover our new rules of reno.
The average price range for 400 sq/ft of terrazzo flooring installed is $3,600 (cheaper tiles installed) – $32,000 (high end terrazzo poured in situ)
Terrazzo floor tile typically retails at between $5 and $30 per sq/ft. and installation costs between $4 and $15 per sq/ft. Poured terrazzo is more expensive with an average price range of between $20 and $80 per sq/ft installed.
Residential terrazzo floors have been trending lately. We’re surprised this versatile flooring product ever went out of fashion. Read on for our in-depth review of terrazzo flooring.
Unlike top-rated laminate flooring, Terrazzo has been around for ages – examples of terrazzo flooring have even been discovered in ancient Egyptian mosaics – and been used for centuries across the globe. Its more modern incarnation is generally attributed to 18th century Venice, where it was used to decorate workers’ homes (a cheaper alternative to marble).
Terrazzo reached the height of its popularity in 20th century Europe, again due to its relative low cost, during the post-war reconstruction years of the 1920s/ 1930s and the 1950s through to the 1970s.
The 1920s also saw useful advances in technology that brought better tools and production methods, making terrazzo flooring and terrazzo tile a popular choice in the USA too, where it was used to create upmarket Art Deco and Moderne designs.
But by the 1980s, home owners were more affluent and had access to more choice; terrazzo lost its popularity as carpeting, hardwood and porcelain tile took precedence.
Terrazzo flooring then became more commonly used for commercial and institutional spaces, where you’re still most likely to see it in abundance today.
However, in the past few years, designers are beginning to see the potential of terrazzo as a viable alternative to cold stone floors and busy tiles, an alternative that nevertheless has the same streamlined minimalism of concrete, but with added texture and interest in its profile; plus, the added advantage of being available in a myriad of colors.
So if you’re into sleek, unfussy but interesting flooring, then terrazzo might just be the flooring you’re looking for.
So, we know it’s pretty cool, but what exactly is terrazzo flooring?
There is a style of encaustic cement tile called Granito, that is made using a similar technique as terrazzo, and which is often, therefore, referred to as terrazzo tile.
There are several different options when considering terrazzo. The concrete or epoxy binding material can be pigmented, allowing for a limitless range of color options, and other interesting aggregates can be used such as chips of glass, metal, mother of pearl or abalone shells.
Contemporary terrazzo designers are now pushing the boundaries of which aggregates can be used, and creating terrazzo flooring that feature extra large chips or shards of aggregate mixed in to great effect – ideal if you are looking to create a truly bold statement floor.
For more information, please visit Zhouxing.
The terrazzo mix can then be set into tiles and panels or poured in situ. It can also be set into molds to create custom-built installations such as outdoor furniture, bathtubs or kitchen countertops.
When terrazzo is poured in situ onto large areas of floor, metal expansion or divider strips are used to delineate the floor into sections to avoid cracking. The strips are laid in the parts of the floor that are most likely to crack, which force the crack to happen along the join rather than in the center of the section.
If you want to create a terrazzo floor with different colors, then divider strips are also used to define the different colored sections.
Whether you choose to do an in situ pour of terrazzo or opt for pre-made terrazzo floor tiles, a professional installer will usually finish the entire floor by sanding it, then polishing and sealing it, thus creating a seamless floor (even with the tile option, the grout between tiles will be completely level with the terrazzo tile surface).
Terrazzo installation in your home is definitely NOT a DIY option, particularly if you are looking to pour the terrazzo in situ. You will need to consult and work with an experienced installation team to get the best results. Competent installers will be aware of the different installation methods and be able to advise you on the best one for your project.
Here is a brief overview of the three main in situ pouring methods:
Other in situ poured terrazzo methods include Bonded terrazzo, which is similar to the sand cushion terrazzo, Polyacrylate terrazzo which is a useful alternative method in situations where epoxy based terrazzo will not adhere, and Rustic terrazzo which is used primarily for exterior situations where a more rugged surface texture is required.
Once you’ve taken into consideration the best installation method for your project, there are a number of other pros and cons to consider with terrazzo flooring.
Poured terrazzo: The price for poured terrazzo installed in situ includes both materials and installation. Expect to pay between $20 to $80 per square foot for in situ poured terrazzo floor.
Terrazzo tile: Terrazzo Tile cost is a cheaper option, prices range from $5 to $30 per square foot, with the majority of high quality tile in the $15 per sq/ft range. Professional installation with cost a further $4 to $15 per sq/ft giving you an average price range of $9 to $45 per sq/ft of terrazzo tile installed.
Terrazzo flooring material costs will fluctuate dramatically depending on what kind of aggregate you use – simple stone aggregates are fairly inexpensive, but if you want to add huge quartz or marble chips it’s going to be quite costly. Materials aside, you will definitely need to have a professional installation team, and may have to have pre-installation prep work done to the subfloor to achieve the best results.
To clean residential terrazzo floors all you need is a mop and water. If your floors are dirty feel free to add a neutral ph cleaning solution. If you notice your terrazzo getting dull then apply a water-based sealer occasionally to add extra surface protection.
Most terrazzo flooring is found in commercial or public spaces where the foot traffic is high so he following cleaning regimes recommended by the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association should be adapted for your home foot traffic situation.
Daily cleaning: If you have a daily floor cleaning regime then dust mopping the surface to remove any dirt and debris is a good idea. If you spot a stain or spill then remove it by hand using a neutral cleaner diluted with warm water.
Weekly cleaning: Many residential floors only need once a week cleaning. Use a damp mob with clean water and a neutral cleaner.
Unlike hardwood, porcelain tiles or other standard flooring products, there aren’t any specific terrazzo brands. Instead there are many professional terrazzo flooring manufacturers/ installation contractors established across the USA, most of whom offer a full range of the most common terrazzo options. A good place to start your search for a contractor is the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association website.
You may have to be more determined – and have a comfortable budget – if you want to seek out the more specialist terrazzo options, such as terrazzo with extra large marble shards.
For budget terrazzo tile, local big box stores are a good place to start your research. You can find cheaper terrazzo tile here priced between $5 and $15 per sq/ft. For terrazzo floor tiles, Trend Terrazzo have some gorgeously bold colored terrazzo tiles in their Trend Q/ Origina collection.
For Granito terrazzo tiles have a look at the pretty Pacifico collection available at the Cement Tile Shop who have showrooms in Tampa and Scottsdale, as well as shipping options covering the whole of the USA and Europe.
And there are also some top international designers such UK-based Lindsey Laing who specializes in modern granito tiles and who will organize shipments to the US. Another company, Mosaic del Sur, who also have showrooms in the UK and Europe, offer more traditional-style Granito tiles.
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
As told to Lauren Jones.
Unlike in Europe, where terrazzo is everywhere, from grocery stores to city halls to post offices, in the U.S. we’re not as lucky. Terrazzo is labor-intensive and out of reach for most clients, unless they have deep pockets (it can cost up to $30, if not more, per square foot). Palladiana, a type of terrazzo with larger stone chunks, is unheard of—we hadn’t been able to find any brand or stoneworker who was producing it Stateside.
But a year ago my partner at Bells + Whistles, Jason St. John, and I came across a printed porcelain product from the Italian company Ceramica Fioranese. A stone rep was the first to show us the tile, which is a part of the I Cocci collection, a selection inspired by flooring recovered from a country home in northern Italy dating back to the early 1900s. We absolutely loved it. When we were hired to design the second Marrow Fine store in Newport Beach, California, we knew it would be the perfect time to utilize it. We were hoping to find a client daring enough to try it out and knew owners Tim and Jill Sassone would adore it just as much as we did.
The shop’s first location and the Sassones’ Rancho Mirage home, which we also designed, were much brighter. But for this spot, they wanted to go with more neutral blush tones. The faux terrazzo ended up being the perfect complement. We ended up purchasing it for $5.60 per square foot, plus shipping, and it was easily installed on the floors by our contractor, as it’s a large-format, 36-by-36 tile. Typically terrazzo can be tricky because it’s a thick stone and doesn’t meet handicap accessibility rules, but this product is much thinner yet still very strong.
Now when people walk into the store, they can’t believe it’s not the real thing. I was even surprised!
Our Winter Renovation issue is here! Subscribe now to step inside Leanne Ford’s latest project—her own historic Pennsylvania home. Plus discover our new rules of reno.
The average price range for 400 sq/ft of terrazzo flooring installed is $3,600 (cheaper tiles installed) – $32,000 (high end terrazzo poured in situ)
Terrazzo floor tile typically retails at between $5 and $30 per sq/ft. and installation costs between $4 and $15 per sq/ft. Poured terrazzo is more expensive with an average price range of between $20 and $80 per sq/ft installed.
Residential terrazzo floors have been trending lately. We’re surprised this versatile flooring product ever went out of fashion. Read on for our in-depth review of terrazzo flooring.
Unlike top-rated laminate flooring, Terrazzo has been around for ages – examples of terrazzo flooring have even been discovered in ancient Egyptian mosaics – and been used for centuries across the globe. Its more modern incarnation is generally attributed to 18th century Venice, where it was used to decorate workers’ homes (a cheaper alternative to marble).
Terrazzo reached the height of its popularity in 20th century Europe, again due to its relative low cost, during the post-war reconstruction years of the 1920s/ 1930s and the 1950s through to the 1970s.
The 1920s also saw useful advances in technology that brought better tools and production methods, making terrazzo flooring and terrazzo tile a popular choice in the USA too, where it was used to create upmarket Art Deco and Moderne designs.
But by the 1980s, home owners were more affluent and had access to more choice; terrazzo lost its popularity as carpeting, hardwood and porcelain tile took precedence.
Terrazzo flooring then became more commonly used for commercial and institutional spaces, where you’re still most likely to see it in abundance today.
However, in the past few years, designers are beginning to see the potential of terrazzo as a viable alternative to cold stone floors and busy tiles, an alternative that nevertheless has the same streamlined minimalism of concrete, but with added texture and interest in its profile; plus, the added advantage of being available in a myriad of colors.
So if you’re into sleek, unfussy but interesting flooring, then terrazzo might just be the flooring you’re looking for.
So, we know it’s pretty cool, but what exactly is terrazzo flooring?
There is a style of encaustic cement tile called Granito, that is made using a similar technique as terrazzo, and which is often, therefore, referred to as terrazzo tile.
There are several different options when considering terrazzo. The concrete or epoxy binding material can be pigmented, allowing for a limitless range of color options, and other interesting aggregates can be used such as chips of glass, metal, mother of pearl or abalone shells.
Contemporary terrazzo designers are now pushing the boundaries of which aggregates can be used, and creating terrazzo flooring that feature extra large chips or shards of aggregate mixed in to great effect – ideal if you are looking to create a truly bold statement floor.
The terrazzo mix can then be set into tiles and panels or poured in situ. It can also be set into molds to create custom-built installations such as outdoor furniture, bathtubs or kitchen countertops.
When terrazzo is poured in situ onto large areas of floor, metal expansion or divider strips are used to delineate the floor into sections to avoid cracking. The strips are laid in the parts of the floor that are most likely to crack, which force the crack to happen along the join rather than in the center of the section.
If you want to create a terrazzo floor with different colors, then divider strips are also used to define the different colored sections.
Whether you choose to do an in situ pour of terrazzo or opt for pre-made terrazzo floor tiles, a professional installer will usually finish the entire floor by sanding it, then polishing and sealing it, thus creating a seamless floor (even with the tile option, the grout between tiles will be completely level with the terrazzo tile surface).
Terrazzo installation in your home is definitely NOT a DIY option, particularly if you are looking to pour the terrazzo in situ. You will need to consult and work with an experienced installation team to get the best results. Competent installers will be aware of the different installation methods and be able to advise you on the best one for your project.
Here is a brief overview of the three main in situ pouring methods:
Other in situ poured terrazzo methods include Bonded terrazzo, which is similar to the sand cushion terrazzo, Polyacrylate terrazzo which is a useful alternative method in situations where epoxy based terrazzo will not adhere, and Rustic terrazzo which is used primarily for exterior situations where a more rugged surface texture is required.
Once you’ve taken into consideration the best installation method for your project, there are a number of other pros and cons to consider with terrazzo flooring.
Poured terrazzo: The price for poured terrazzo installed in situ includes both materials and installation. Expect to pay between $20 to $80 per square foot for in situ poured terrazzo floor.
Terrazzo tile: Terrazzo Tile cost is a cheaper option, prices range from $5 to $30 per square foot, with the majority of high quality tile in the $15 per sq/ft range. Professional installation with cost a further $4 to $15 per sq/ft giving you an average price range of $9 to $45 per sq/ft of terrazzo tile installed.
Terrazzo flooring material costs will fluctuate dramatically depending on what kind of aggregate you use – simple stone aggregates are fairly inexpensive, but if you want to add huge quartz or marble chips it’s going to be quite costly. Materials aside, you will definitely need to have a professional installation team, and may have to have pre-installation prep work done to the subfloor to achieve the best results.
To clean residential terrazzo floors all you need is a mop and water. If your floors are dirty feel free to add a neutral ph cleaning solution. If you notice your terrazzo getting dull then apply a water-based sealer occasionally to add extra surface protection.
Most terrazzo flooring is found in commercial or public spaces where the foot traffic is high so he following cleaning regimes recommended by the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association should be adapted for your home foot traffic situation.
Daily cleaning: If you have a daily floor cleaning regime then dust mopping the surface to remove any dirt and debris is a good idea. If you spot a stain or spill then remove it by hand using a neutral cleaner diluted with warm water.
Weekly cleaning: Many residential floors only need once a week cleaning. Use a damp mob with clean water and a neutral cleaner.
Unlike hardwood, porcelain tiles or other standard flooring products, there aren’t any specific terrazzo brands. Instead there are many professional terrazzo flooring manufacturers/ installation contractors established across the USA, most of whom offer a full range of the most common terrazzo options. A good place to start your search for a contractor is the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association website.
You may have to be more determined – and have a comfortable budget – if you want to seek out the more specialist terrazzo options, such as terrazzo with extra large marble shards.
For budget terrazzo tile, local big box stores are a good place to start your research. You can find cheaper terrazzo tile here priced between $5 and $15 per sq/ft. For terrazzo floor tiles, Trend Terrazzo have some gorgeously bold colored terrazzo tiles in their Trend Q/ Origina collection.
For Granito terrazzo tiles have a look at the pretty Pacifico collection available at the Cement Tile Shop who have showrooms in Tampa and Scottsdale, as well as shipping options covering the whole of the USA and Europe.
And there are also some top international designers such UK-based Lindsey Laing who specializes in modern granito tiles and who will organize shipments to the US. Another company, Mosaic del Sur, who also have showrooms in the UK and Europe, offer more traditional-style Granito tiles.