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Available in a broad choice of aesthetic options and visually striking, terrazzo can be found in many remarkable buildings across the globe. In fact, it’s the prime candidate for a commercial setting and, in particular, floors, when the unexpected must be considered. As terrazzo connoisseurs, Strata Tiles are one of the UK’s market leaders in the supply of innovative hard finishes. We sat down with Strata’s Jonathan Wiles and Maria Graham - read on to learn more about this classic Italian surface.

Terrazzo at a glance

A staple design finish, the trend for terrazzo is going from strength to strength. Originally created as a way to reuse scrapped rock many centuries ago, terrazzo is a sustainable option for the built environment. Essentially marble that’s set into cement and mixed with small chips of ceramics or granite; these days, the speckled look has been remastered to create wildly different looks. If you have a commercial project coming up, terrazzo oozes effortless class and is a full-bodied alternative to marble and granite.

 

Image Credit © Strata Tiles

Terrazzo in commercial design

Looking to make an architectural statement, hone your brand image or give a sense of permanence in the interior scheme? With the use of terrazzo and technical stone, this is easy to do, but first, allow us to explain the difference between the two. The binding agent for terrazzo is traditionally concrete, but more recently, epoxy resin is commonly used instead. In fact, around 90 per cent of terrazzo that’s specified today will be manufactured with a resin binder, and this is more commonly referred to as ‘Technical Stone’.

This aggregate can be made in a number of different textures, sizes and colourways, depending on the material of the chips used. As you can imagine, this results in a broad spectrum of choice for design styles, and terrazzo lends itself to any decorative brief. Whether that be typography, logos - anything goes, the world is your oyster when it comes to this rich finish.

 

Image Credit © Strata Tiles

It’s also an environmentally friendly choice

If you’re aiming for higher certifications of LEED and BREEAM, terrazzo and technical stone can be beneficial as the stone chips are often waste or offcuts from quarries. In some instances, there’s also the option to use recycled materials, such as glass, and they can both be manufactured with minimal emissions to achieve the Greenguard Gold standard. These materials are also suited to high-traffic settings, including train stations and airports and can be used for stair treads and countertops too. For exterior applications, terrazzo is usually the best option, as the cementitious binder is UV stable.

 

Image Credit © Strata Tiles

Terrazzo installation and care

Both terrazzo and technical stone can be installed in what’s called a thin-bed method (where the adhesive or mortar is approximately 5mm thick below the tile). The resin in technical stone can be water-sensitive, so using the correct adhesive is very important. Terrazzo can also be installed with more traditional techniques such as the ‘sand and cement’ method, where the tile is installed into the semi-dry screed. An alternative is the ‘flood grouting’ method which gives better penetration of joints and, therefore, a monolithic, seamless look. Depending on their intended usage, Terrazzo and technical stone floors should be sealed and re-sealed periodically to ensure longevity. Both types of tiles can also be repaired, and with terrazzo being so thick, it can be re-polished to renew the surface after many years of usage.

Terrazzo and technical stone are generally hygienic options, but for safety reasons, proper maintenance and cleaning are essential. Thankfully, both types of tiles are easy to clean without the need for chemical-based cleaners; however, it’s important to know that technical stone tiles always need to be cleaned with a pH-neutral cleaner, like FILA’s CLEANER PRO.

 

“Whilst trends come and go, terrazzo will always be a staple finish for the design industry. From ancient Rome to the uber-cool interiors of today, it represents a timeless investment in any building. At Strata Tiles, we recommend and partner with FILA to protect and maintain all our installations as their products are designed for commercial use, and their service is world-class.” - Jonathan Wiles, Sales Design Director

 

Image Credit © Strata Tiles