About Terrazzo Floor Tile

Terrazzo floor tile is an excellent compromise offering the same beautiful appearance of traditional terrazzo floors, but at a fraction of the cost.

Terrazzo floors were originally invented by Venetian construction workers as a low cost flooring material. They would collect marble chip remnants from upscale jobs, setting them in clay and surfacing the patios around their homes with it. In those days, they used goat’s milk to seal the floor and give it its “wet look” shine! Production of terrazzo became much easier in the 1920s with the invention of power tools. In the 1970s, polymer-based terrazzo was introduced; recycled aggregates now include glass, porcelain, concrete, and metal.

Terrazzo floors are elegant, but can be pricey, so homeowners who don’t want to invest the time and money for professional installation of a terrazzo floor have an option: terrazzo floor tile.

The terrazzo floor tile looks like a traditional terrazzo floor, but can be installed by a do-it-yourselfer. It is similar to installing ceramic or porcelain tiles. Just like traditional terrazzo, terrazzo floor tiles can be installed either indoors or outdoors. They are water and bacteria resistant, so they are ideal for installation on a bathroom or kitchen floor and even countertops. And because the terrazzo floor tiles are smaller and lighter than poured terrazzo, they can be carried upstairs and installed on the second floor of a home.

Once you have installed your terrazzo floor tiles, you can keep your new floor new-looking and easier to maintain longer by applying a floor restorer. The right floor restorer will bring back that “new floor” look and protect it from stains and heel marks. Pro Shot® Floor Restorer has been used successfully on all types of floors, from hardwood and bamboo, to laminate, vinyl, and linoleum, to elegant materials such as terrazzo and, of course, terrazzo floor tile.