You’d certainly recognize it from the floors of airports, post offices, or the Hollywood walk of fame, but you’ve probably never paid a second thought to the be-speckled surface that is Terrazzo.

Well, what was once merely the unassuming style used as flooring for high volume public surfaces is returning in full force as the next big thing in design.

To that end, we’re here to provide you with all of the information you need to decide whether or not Terrazzo is right for you!

What is Terrazzo?

Terrazzo is a composite floor or surface that blends a cementitious binder like concrete or epoxy with broken fragments of marble, ceramic, or glass. This gives it the famous be-speckled look.

Believe it or not, examples of Terrazzo can be found as far back as 9000 BC, but it was named by the Italian craftsmen who would mix clay and broken bits of marble for terrace (hence “terrazzo) tiling.

Clay is rare these days. You’re most likely to come across a concrete or epoxy resin in any Terrazzo that crosses your path. The fragments of marble, ceramic, and glass which lend textured appearance to the surface can be small and many, or large and few.

With recent advances in technology, what used to be suitable only for floors and walls can now be manufactured for countertops and tables.

Furthermore, the wide variety of colors, textures, and materials available means that it can fit into nearly any design scheme you desire.

Terrazzo is a relatively affordable, versatile option worth considering for your home or business needs.

And what’s more, Terrazzo is durable and comparatively simple to maintain!

You’ll want to avoid waxes and all purpose sealers, which could make your surfaces and floors very slippery and hazardous. Depending on what materials are incorporated into your Terrazzo, you’ll probably want to avoid exposing it to anything acidic.

Terrazzo is an exciting new trend in design of which can bring a tremendous amount of elegance into your home.

Do you have Terrazzo floors, counters, or walls that have lost some of their original luster? Or maybe some challenging stains?

Look no further – Santa Barbara Stone Masters can help! Give us a call today.

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