The Return of Terrazzo in Modern Multifamily Housing

What is Terrazzo? 

Dating back to 8,000 BCE, terrazzo is a composite material made from chips of stone such as granite and marble set in cement or resin and then polished to create a smooth surface. The resulting design is one of colorful geometric rock flecks on a contrasting background. It is used as flooring, countertops, on walls, and in showers. Terrazzo has even been made into stunning free-standing bathtubs! Some of the earliest uses of this material date all the way back to Pompei, according to The National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association. More interesting yet – bits of terrazzo survived the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Just think, a material resilient enough to survive a volcanic explosion is undeniably built to last. Modern terrazzo dates back to the 1500s, when Venetian artists created it as a way to reuse marble left over from artwork like statues and mosaics.

Modern Terrazzo-Creation Innovation

Today’s terrazzo no longer is made exclusively from rock chips; it now includes quartz, glass, and other stone chips, with modern advancements incorporating both epoxy resin and concrete into the formula. With modern times has also come modern colors; terrazzo can be found in a rainbow of colors and imaginative color combinations from deep grey and orange wedges loosely spaced on a white background to tiny white and red specks packed closely together on a strawberry pink background. Today’s terrazzo has expanded to include both precast-tiles of resin as well as cast-in-place resin, meaning entire kitchen islands, floors, and countertops can be cast all as one piece or made of many individual terrazzo tiles depending on the builder’s preference.

Terrazzo vs Tile, Marble & Granite

Terrazzo has become well-known for its beauty and longevity, making it an ideal material for high-traffic areas. It’s a tough material that can take a pounding. This is a benefit that some tiles don’t have as they can crack when enough force is applied; for example, if you were to drop a hammer or heavy piece of furniture on a tile floor, it’s not likely to survive unscathed. Tiles tend to have a limited lifespan, making them less durable than terrazzo. Colors and textures found in tiles tend to be a bit more trendy, going in and out of style quickly enough that they can look dated within a decade. How does Terrazzo stack up to granite and marble? While it is true that both are durable materials, granite, and especially marble, still struggle with chipping and scratching over time. Also, both are considered among the pricier options in flooring and countertop materials. Terrazzo is almost half of the price of standard natural stones and has twice the durability of tiles, giving builders the best of both worlds. Being a composite material, terrazzo comes in a large variety of looks and colors and has the durability to survive just about anything that builders, tenants, and homeowners can possibly throw at it. 

How Does it Stand Up to Water?

Terrazzo is highly water-resistant, making it an excellent choice for wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and others. With proper sealant, a builder can make terrazzo virtually waterproof, preventing water absorption, stains, and mold growth. With today’s epoxy-based terrazzo, the porous nature of cement can be completely overcome leading to a nearly perfect material countertops, sinks, and showers. With the option to cast your entire installation in place, terrazzo countertops, kitchen islands, and sinks can have minimal-to-no grout lines, making it a perfect option to avoid damage from water accumulating between tiles. 

Simply put, Terrazzo’s return to prominence in multifamily home construction comes down to the material’s durability, relative cost-effectiveness, and limitless color combinations. 

What Faucets and Fixtures Pair Best with Terrazzo?

Although the choice of faucets and fixtures is a subjective choice, leading designers tend to choose those with a matte black finish in a modern or transitional style to go nicely with terrazzo. This is especially true when the terrazzo pattern is high-contrast. For example, a black kitchen faucet creates a considerable visual impact set atop a highly polished cream terrazzo with black, grey, and deep blue wedges floating within. If the project’s chosen terrazzo has warmer tones, such as a pale yellow base material flecked with shades of brown, Pioneer’s brushed nickel finish faucets or showerheads are an ideal choice. For terrazzo in cooler shades of dark blue and grey, pick chrome. 

As a trusted supplier of faucets and fixtures for over 100 years, Pioneer, Central Brass, and Olympia are here for you. Embrace the benefits of quality, availability, and speed by partnering with Pioneer. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your project is in good hands. Transform your project or home with these beautiful and exceptionally durable space-saving faucets and accessories that pair beautifully with terrazzo in whatever form you choose for your multifamily housing project. All our faucets are backed by a best-in-the-industry warranty, are easy to install, and will stand the test of time.

There are many ways to the same destination. This saying applies to multifamily housing builds just as much as to anything else in life. The ultimate goal is save as much money as possible while delivering a great finished project – that’s simply showing smart business sense. But, finding a one-off deal or sacrificing quality isn’t the only way to get a healthy ROI. We have a better way.

Pioneer works with professionals every day to develop specification packages and plans that save our valued partners both time and money, sometimes in surprising ways. It’s our goal to ensure your project meets or exceeds its expected outcome. We want to get to know you and your company and show you how we can save you money.  Please reach out via our website form or call us at (800) 338-9468.