Although the origins of terrazzo flooring date back to ancient Egypt, the material as we know it today was further developed by builders in Venice as a cost-effective floor covering. During the century, terrazzo flooring became a popular design option. This could be used in commercial spaces such as airports, cultural institutions, schools and hotels. Because of its durability and ease of maintenance, the mix of construction scraps quickly became a preferred design tool, easily customizable and available in a variety of patterns and shapes.
It is not surprising that terrazzo floors have their origins in Italy. This solid, original and beautiful material was created thanks to the few different elements that were randomly linked together. At this time the Italians used terrazzo for floors, enamels and ceilings. Thanks to its stability, especially in damp conditions, this building material was so impressive that it quickly became the main component of Italian palaces. Today the terrazzo floor is back at the front of the stage to appeal to all fans of luxury and tasteful interior design.
Everything you need to know about terrazzo flooring
White marble tiles, carpets, parquet, PVC and many more – choosing a floor covering is not always easy. There are numerous variations to design your floor, bathroom or kitchen to suit your taste. So if you are looking for the best version for your home, you can find useful tips and design ideas about terrazzo flooring and its diverse uses in this guide. Discover the colorful world of this hybrid material with which you can give your interior a unique touch.
Recently, terrazzo has experienced a great resurgence with a touch of modernity. Strong and bright colors as well as larger pieces of stone are used as aggregates. Terrazzo is also used in the production of furnishings and home accessories. It is important to note that the manufacturing process offers the opportunity to incorporate color - a fact that is exploited in many ways today.
How is it made?
The name comes from the Italian word for patio, and the composite material includes chips of marble, quartz, granite, glass or other natural stones. You can hold the terrazzo floor together with a binder made of epoxy resin or concrete. A roller crusher produces the construction waste and you can then grind, polish and reprocess it. This makes it suitable, for example, for the sink in the bathroom, as a smooth surfacea stylish kitchen worktopor of course can be used as a terrazzo floor. With its sophisticated and luxurious appearance, it covers representative buildings such as casinos, hotels and private homes. Today it is most often made with epoxy resin, allowing for a wider range of colors, faster installation and a stronger, thinner material with an impermeable coating. This means you can design your desired area with a scratch-resistant covering.
Areas of application and other coverings
Although terrazzo is currently considered a luxury finish, the building material was actually designed as a budget-friendly solution thanks to its low cost. Technological advances have taken terrazzo flooring beyond coverings into tile backsplashes and kitchen backsplashes, representing a logical expansion of design options. Its use creates both a trendy and glamorous look when you combine the polish with the appropriate decor. As the material becomes more and more popular, the different areas of application for terrazzo floors are also growing. You can also use the coating to design furniture, lighting and decor. Some designers have even designed their own creations that are clearly inspired by terrazzo.
The “Gingko” lamp by Chen Chen and Kai Williams, for example, combines resin-coated urethane, wood, fabric and acrylic in a terrazzo-like work of art. Distinctive terrazzo flooring is a defining feature of many furnishings suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
You can also use marble-like materials for architectural surfaces, as seen in the example above. This marble-like layer was developed by a British company in collaboration with designer Max Lamb. The coating is available in either black or white and uses marble as an aggregate. However, it has much larger patterns than standard terrazzo floors and gives the room a contemporary look. The bar counter features a marble-like top made from a man-made marble.
Advantages and disadvantages
Terrazzo is not only very distinctive, but also durable, easy to maintain and gives the room a stylish and classic feel. The special thing about terrazzo flooring is its customizability, but the installation requires a professional and has become quite an expensive affair these days due to the trend. Terrazzo is also waterproof and can be used on your bathroom floor. In this case, however, you need to find a non-porous variety that is resistant to moisture and bacteria. Do a deep research to make sure it is this type of terrazzo floor.
Choose the right type
Terrazzo is a noble coating with excellent effects, whose main advantages are endless. As already mentioned, the secret behind its sleek design and the whole appeal of this floor is the fact that it is made with various high-quality materials. Terrazzo is a chameleon-like building material that contains a variety of shades to match the rest of the colors in the room. This means you can achieve an impressive and sublime ambience.
The robust and resistant appearance of the terrazzo coating not only contributes to its aesthetics but also to its long service life. No matter where you want to use such a polish, it will cover even the largest rooms in your home. When it comes to maintenance, you should note that terrazzo flooring is very easy to maintain and rarely repaired.
With the right care, the terrazzo floor will become your living room,Your kitchenor decorate your bathroom for a lifetime without needing a remodel. Finally, it is perhaps necessary to mention that the price of this flooring depends on the quality of the materials that are the component of its production. So, if you prefer high-quality products, you can choose the concrete version.
The right covering with terrazzo
As you probably already know, the terrazzo floor, with its numerous color combinations, has gradually been reintegrated into interior design so that you can use and enjoy it in different ways. Chic and refreshing, this subtle mix of materials will help modernize your home. The terrazzo floor combines wonderfully with the white areas in the living room or with small details in the kitchen throughout the entire look of the apartment. Accordingly, there is a wide scope for creativity for your own ideas and inspiration.
Each species has its own original composition and is rich in geometric patterns and shapes. However, if the flooring is a little too retro for your taste, you can toy with the attractive and pleasant idea of simply applying the terrazzo as an additional design element to your walls, countertops or kitchen island.
Cushions, furniture, tableware, wallpaper and even the sink in your modern bathroom will succumb to the allure of this new trend. Thanks to the irregular and extraordinary patterns, their magnificent colors and their infinite combinations, the magic of the mineral effect that the Terrezzo brings will give a touch of freshness to each of your pieces. You can find proof of this in the following pictures.
Examples from all over the world
When using terrazzo with regular tiles for decoration, Venetian coating is a popular option. In fact, most Italians tend to associate the terrazzo floor with childhood kitchens. Back when we slipped in our slippers and compared the fused colored spots on the floor to different imaginary creatures. This material was no longer as well known for the next two generations due to its chromatic disorder. That's why it's hard to believe that terrazzo flooring is back in fashion. Especially when you consider that this mixture can serve not only as a floor covering, but also as a texture for furniture and home accessories.
Terrazzo als Design-Highlight
Opened in Berlin-Mitte, this place for coffee lovers is quite original and uniquely designed. Unlike the other two branches, this one wanted to appeal to the trendy and touristy district. For this reason, the designers chose a kind of retro-style dairy. The counter is a real highlight and you can certainly immediately recognize and highlight the terrazzo when you first look at it. The main switch has a 130-year-old Venetian finish, located under a layer of concrete in the middle of a renovation site. In addition to a large selection of coffees, the café is also known for its cheesecakes. These allow guests to immerse themselves in times gone by.
Think outside the box
The terrazzo floor also creates a sunny atmosphere in a summer house on the Greek island of Kefalonia. The abandoned quarry not far from the house was an optimal and functional source for the design of the flooring. Smooth and fresh,the marble is perfectfor the fight against the Mediterranean heat. Its colorful grain is a natural decoration and became the distinctive feature of the house, leaving the walls free.
An inspiring combination of functionality and design
Industrial-loving designer Alberto Bellamoli also decided to play with terrazzo in his home furnishings collections. He was born on the outskirts of Verona but grew up in Denmark and defines his projects as anthropological. Alberto Bellamoli was able to bring out the potential of this material through collaboration with Italian artisans. The production process still required manual work. He is attracted to the fact that the end result is beyond his control and that things are left to chance. His collection includes tables, bowls, candlesticks with smooth shapes and bright contrasts.
