Written by Glenda Taylor and Bob Vera | Published at 10:00 AM, April 21, 2017

Photo: flickr.com via John Lambert Pearson

If you want to buy durable, low-maintenance floors in basements, patios, or any other places with concrete substrates, but refuse to sacrifice style, take a closer look at terrazzo floors. Terrazzo is a cement base interspersed with aggregates. The appearance is similar to polished marble or granite. At the same time, it has great versatility in integrating design elements into the surface itself. Although it is common in schools, government buildings, and hospitals, terrazzo is becoming more and more popular in residential applications, so read on to understand its advantages and disadvantages to determine if it is suitable for your home.

The terrazzo, which originated in the Mediterranean region hundreds of years ago—meaning “terrace” in Italian—is made by pressing stone chips into the surface of natural clay and then sealed with goat milk, which has a mosaic-like appeal. In the end, cement replaced clay, and some glass and painted tiles entered the surface of this gorgeous floor.

Modern terrazzo includes polymers, resins and epoxy resins to improve texture, reduce cracking and increase durability. Goat milk? Gone! Today's terrazzo is strong, dense and impenetrable, and does not require surface sealants, but polishing and polishing will bring out and maintain its luster.

Photo: Zillow Digs' home in Phoenix, Arizona

The terrazzo floor is amazing because some shiny aggregate captures light and creates a sparkling effect. Natural stone chips, such as marble, granite, and quartz, are the first choice for terrazzo finishes, but other types of aggregates are also used, including glass pebbles, synthetic chips, and silica drill bits of various colors. Experienced installers can create complex designs and turn ordinary sidewalks into works of art. Terrazzo is durable and elastic, and its non-porous nature prevents staining and bacterial absorption, so it is the first choice for areas with heavy traffic.

Installing terrazzo flooring is strictly a professional's work and labor-intensive, which means it is one of the most expensive types of flooring around. Standard floors with minimal geometric patterns can range from US$10 to US$23 per square foot. If you want an intricate mosaic design, the cost may be higher. Terrazzo also tends to be slippery when wet-if you wear stockings, it will also be slippery when dry.

Falling on a terrazzo floor feels like falling on a concrete sidewalk, so families with children or the elderly may choose a different floor.

Photo: Zillow Digs' home in Doylestown, Pennsylvania

The custom terrazzo is installed on a strong concrete foundation to make it suitable for slab houses, and may take several days to several weeks, depending on the size of the floor and the complexity of the design. The following is the content involved:

Photo: flickr.com via Steve Snodgrass

After the terrazzo floor is installed, the surface is almost maintenance-free. However, following these good cleaning habits, it will maintain its new gloss for many years.

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