Terrazzo flooring is made of a composite material that incorporates flecks of marble, granite, and other substances. The result is a smooth and unique finish that enhances the visual appeal of an establishment and makes for easy floor cleaning. Below, learn more about terrazzo flooring, its history, and how it's used today.

How Is It Produced?

Standard terrazzo is comprised of tinted cement or epoxy resin mixed with chips of marble, granite, quartz, glass, and other substances. It is then polished until it creates a uniform surface with a smooth shine.

Terrazzo flooring is installed in one of two ways. With a cementitious system, the base ingredient is cement and is usually poured over a sand cushion, monolithic, or a bonded mud bed application. With a thin-set epoxy resin system, the base ingredient is epoxy and bonds directly onto the concrete substrate. The former is more commonly used for outdoor terrazzo, while the latter is mostly used in indoor terrazzo. Epoxy is thinner than cementitious terrazzo, and it does not absorb water, making floor cleaning a breeze. The material also eliminates the possibility of moisture damage.

What Is the History of This Material?

Terrazzo has long been utilized in all types of buildings. Ancient Egyptians used terrazzo as an art medium in mosaics. Ancient Turkish cultures are thought to be among the first to discover its flooring benefits, as terrazzo-like substances have been found in the structure of ancient ruins. But terrazzo became more common during the Middle Ages, especially in Venice. Workers would save their scrap marble, then mix these scraps with clay mortar and install them as flooring. Today, terrazzo is on full display in schools, churches, hospitals, airports, and homes. It is also featured in tourist attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hoover Dam.

If you have terrazzo flooring, proper upkeep is essential. K & K Floor & Carpet Care in Chillicothe, OH, offers floor cleaning services to the Ross and Pickaway counties. They provide terrazzo, carpet, and hardwood floor cleaning, as well as janitorial services and water damage cleanup. Put your terrazzo in the hands of professionals who know how to care for it. Call (740) 773-2090 or visit them online to schedule floor cleaning today.