How Terrazzo Tiles Have Influenced Global Design Trends Throughout History

 Whether it’s in a dazzling bathroom design from Mandy Moore or a sleekly modern building in New York City, Terrazzo Tiles has made a comeback over the last couple of years. Its popularity stems from a number of factors, but perhaps the biggest reason is that the speckled flooring material offers limitless design possibilities.

 Marble chips set

A composite material of marble chips set in cement, terrazzo started in 16th-century Italy as a way to reuse stone offcuts. It was poured in-place by hand or precast into blocks that could be cut to size. Now, you can buy it as ready-made tiles for easy application to floors and walls.

 Endless aesthetic potential

In addition to its endless aesthetic potential, terrazzo is also hard-wearing and durable. It’s water, mold, and stain-resistant, making it a good choice for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, or outdoor spaces. Its low-sheen surface hides dirt, too. And although it does need to be sealed, the maintenance required is far less than that of a tile floor or even a concrete slab.

Pop of color or texture

Another benefit of terrazzo is its ability to serve as a design focal point in an interior. As with marble, terrazzo’s color and pattern choices can set the tone for a room and become the foundation for a design. A well-placed mosaic, for example, can bring a pop of color or texture to a foyer or bath. And, because it can be custom-made, terrazzo allows for the incorporation of a corporate logo or other graphic elements that can help establish a brand identity in an office or hospital.

 Patients recover faster

Because terrazzo’s durable, nonporous surface resists the growth of bacteria, it’s an ideal choice for healthcare facilities. Its seamless surface makes it easier for wheelchairs and gurneys to move across the floor, and studies have shown that patients recover faster when their environment is more soothing.

For these reasons and more, terrazzo has been used in hospitals, airports, and other public buildings for generations. And, as it’s seen a resurgence in popularity, some architects are choosing the material for their new buildings.

Mixture of crushed marble and colored glass for  colorful finish

Unlike poured-in-place terrazzo, which is ground and finished on site by experienced tradespeople, precast terrazzo is installed like ceramic or stone tile. Often, the installer will use a mortar mix that’s similar to concrete and then add a mixture of crushed marble and colored glass for a colorful finish. Depending on the project, the designers can choose from a wide variety of colors and patterns—including geometrics, organic shapes, or floral patterns—to make a statement-making design.

Conclusion

Concord Terrazzo Tiles, and other manufacturers, offer a range of precast terrazzo tile options. These tile products can be designed in the same ways as a poured-in-place slab but can save time and money due to their quicker installation process. Plus, they’re more affordable than traditional marble. And because they’re manufactured, they’re available in a wider range of sizes than would be possible for a poured-in-place solution. This versatility and affordability is a major selling point for the material.