Pros and Cons of Terrazzo Flooring Material

by Prospec LLC Solutions Provider

As a builder or remodeler, the choice of flooring you make is a prominent factor that must satisfy your customers as well as the project budget. Flooring adds a visual appeal and enhances the value of the building. When compared to furniture and other fittings that can be changed in between, flooring is a fairly permanent option for your building décor. Choosing the flooring material is one of the most challenging tasks when designing the interiors of your building. The floor will act as the canvas upon which the colors, patterns, and design of your furniture and decorations will be based. The selection must be based on several factors like – level of traffic, type of application, lifestyle factors, level of finishing and maintenance and installation. There are different types of flooring materials used in building construction, each having its own pros and cons. One of the fastest growing flooring options is terrazzo flooring tile. When it comes to any flooring material, one of the most important factors is how environment-friendly it is. Terrazzo flooring tile is typically made of 72% post-consumer materials. Depending on the types of materials used, terrazzo offers a striking appearance and is a great option for outdoor as well as indoor use.

Why Choose This Tile and What Are Its Unique Characteristics?

Primarily, terrazzo tile comes in an array of colors and makes a beautiful addition to any room. Lightweight in nature, these tiles are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles to ensure you can find the perfect fit for your building. The non-porous surface resists scratches and stains and does not require sealing,If you are replacing old flooring, terrazzo flooring can be installed right on top of the old floor, even in high traffic areas. There are various types of flooring materials in terrazzo (based on the variety of the material used and the type of bonding used for them) and some of them include - Epoxy, cement, rustic, monolithic and polyacrylate. Other unique characteristics of terrazzo floors are -

Available in variety of designs
Man-made but composed of natural materials
Hard, heavy, durable, and long-lasting
Highly sustainable
Non-porous
Not slippery like vitrified tiles.

Here are a few pros and cons you should consider before choosing terrazzo tile flooring.

Pros

Texture–This type of flooring comes with an added texture that makes it a better choice compared to plain concrete floors. It comes with the same sleek industrial style, and the soft edges add to its aesthetic appeal.
Customization - Another major advantage is their customizability. They come in a variety of amazing colors and can be customized to match the specific decor in your building. With terrazzo flooring, you get to createan elegant and unique floor. In addition to customizing in terms of colors, it can also be molded into custom shapes like the sink, bathtubs, and stairs etc.
Durability – Durability is another important factor that makes terrazzo flooring a good choice in institutional and commercial buildings. It is one of the most durable and long-lasting flooring materials available in the market today, if maintained properly. It is reinforced with concrete and has bits of marble, glass or stone in it. Therefore, terrazzo can hold up to a lot of usages over a longer period of time and still look like new. It is perfect for use in high traffic areas of the building.
Easy maintenance – An important benefit of this flooring is that regular sweeping and mopping are enough to keep it nice and clean. This benefit of easy maintenance makes it suitable for every space.
Environment-friendly - Many terrazzo manufacturers use recycled materials to create the aggregate, specifically glass, porcelain, and metals. Therefore, it does not have a negative impact on the environment.

Cons

Cracks – If not properly installed, terrazzo floors could easily get cracked. Although the cracks can be repaired, the process is quite difficult and costly. Terrazzo flooring installation will be properly done if you rely on the services of a good tile distributor in New York. With an experienced dealer, you can select the best terrazzo floors suiting your specific needs and budget. Such dealers will also offer proper maintenance that will help your floor retain its beauty for years.
Cold and hard –People often resist buying terrazzo because this cool flooring gets too cold in the winter season and doesn’t retain much heat from the building’s thermostat. However, having a floor heat insulator can solve the problem. Also, terrazzo flooring is hard which is sometimes considered a disadvantage.
High cost – Terrazzo flooring is generally a costly option. But, the cost varies according to your individual requirements. For instance, if you want stone aggregates then terrazzo flooring will be relatively inexpensive when compared to adding marble chips or huge quartz etc.
Tedious process of installation – One of the primary concerns with the structure of terrazzo is that it can crack if it is not properly installed. It is best to hire professionals to perform the task for you. Once the tiles are installed, they can become quite slippery when they are wet. However, applying a layer of concrete, non-stick surface can help with this issue. A finish coat is applied, followed by polishing.
Time-consuming - The installation and pouring process needs time and it may not be a good option in situations where time is of essence.