The Many Benefits of Using Terrazzo Flooring Systems – Going Beyond the Aesthetics

More and more, we see designers, builders and architects choose Terrazzo flooring over all the other flooring systems out in the market today.  And it’s not just because of aesthetics.  While design flexibility is one of the major selling points of Terrazzo, there are quite a number of reasons why it is the better choice.

Let’s talk design flexibility first.  Terrazzo flooring systems have an almost unlimited color range and a wide variety of aggregate materials that can be used to further customize the design of your floors.  Additionally, because of the many installation methods, the design possibilities are further increased.  You can choose a subtler, minimalistic approach or go for bolder, more complex design layout.  You can opt for the modern or go for the classic.

Now let’s focus on Terrazzo flooring systems being almost maintenance free.  Whether installed in a low or high traffic area, there’s very little upkeep needed to care for Terrazzo floors.  Unlike other flooring systems such as hardwood, carpet, and ceramic tiling, Terrazzo requires very minimal cleaning.  Additionally, it lasts for a really long time.  In fact, there are ancient terrazzo floors that are still intact up to this day.  Which brings us to another great benefit in using terrazzo floors – it is environmentally, the best choice because of its impressive sustainability and durability.  In some cases, certain materials like old glass bottles can be incorporated into the terrazzo mix therefore adding to its unique aesthetic whilst promoting the use of recyclable materials.

There is no question why Terrazzo floors are most builders’ first choice when it comes to flooring systems these days.

Original Source: http://terrazzo.net.au/blog/many-benefits-using-terrazzo-flooring-systems-going-beyond-aesthetics/

Choosing the right Terrazzo Marble Tiles for your Snazzy Sydney Home

Terrazzo marble tiles have made a huge comeback in Sydney kitchens and homes because of its versatility and remarkable visual effect.  Back in 15th Century Europe, Venetian craftsmen made use of broken and irregular shaped marble, set in goat’s milk and clay, to create stunning floors for their patios and terraces (terrazzo in Italian, hence the name terrazzo tiles).

Nowadays in Sydney, and various parts of the world, people are creating wonderful mosaics in their own homes, thanks to the invention of electric grinder in the 1920’s. The countless advancement in the flooring and tiling industry over the past centuries made it possible for us to have a vast, and quite overwhelming, number of choices today. So here are helpful guidelines to help you choose the right terrazzo marble tiles for your Sydney abode.

Surface and tile size

The first step would be determining which surfaces you would like to adorn with Sydney terrazzo marble tiles. If you are redecorating just a certain area, like your bathroom and kitchen, then it would be for either just the counter tops, walls, or the floors. Bigger tiles are of course recommended for floors, and smaller tiles are ideal for walls. If the whole house is being spruced, the expression “the more, the better” applies befittingly in using terrazzo marble tiles for your Sydney house. Why? Because Sydney terrazzo marble tiles are very practical to maintain and quite easy to clean. Imagine having family friends with little children over and having their kid draw a stick figure onto your painted or wallpapered walls.

What a nightmare to clean up! If you have water repellent Sydney terrazzo marble tile walls then it would just be a matter of washing and wiping. That is why many hotels, office buildings, and hospitals opt for this very practical tile variety. It is highly recommended for you to use terrazzo marble tiles in your Sydney home for surfaces that incur heavy foot traffic like the entry way, hallways, kitchen, bathroom, patio, pool, and other outdoor areas.

Color

Choosing the right color of terrazzo marble tiles for your Sydney home can be daunting so here are a few things to consider. Are you decorating the whole house, or just your kitchen, or only the bathroom? Keep in mind that the color of the Sydney terrazzo marble tile sets the mood for the room. Lighter hues like pastels and cream can make a room look larger so they are ideal for hallways and bathrooms.

Darker hues and earth colors are recommended for larger areas like open plan kitchens and other spacious areas of the house that get plenty of natural light. Look at color wheel, especially if you’re redecorating only a certain area, to examine which combination of shades create a good contrast with existing hues in the room. If you are deciding the right color of terrazzo marble tile for your Sydney kitchen wall, bathroom wall, and other small areas, then choose contrasting colors that would pop out like works of art.

Design and stone combinations

One of the best reasons for selecting terrazzo marble tiles to glamorize your Sydney home is that you can pick from a cornucopia of material aggregates and design choices, plus you can even make your own masterpieces. Do you have a family crest for your foyer or driveway? Do you have a seashell and pebble collection or other memorabilia that you want to be immortalized onto the kitchen wall or receiving room? Or do you want your living room floor to have a map of Australia? There are so many ways to personalize terrazzo marble tiles to decorate your Sydney home.

There are also plenty of ready made attractive designs to choose from. Simple designs or ornate mosaics made from a combination of marble chips, crushed glass, recycled glass, mother of pearl, granite and even glitter chips are just some of the common stone combinations used in Sydney terrazzo marble tiles.

Mix and Match sizes and colors

Do not be afraid to mix and match various Sydney terrazzo marble tile sizes and colors. You can use different sized and colored tiles to create borders or outlines indoors. Outdoor areas are the perfect place to get creative with different hues and designs you can select when using terrazzo marble tiles for your Sydney home.

Browse online for inspiration on terrazzo marble tile combinations in Sydney that you can use for your poolside, patio, or driveway. Larger tiles can be combined with inner smaller tiles with intricate patterns to create a frame for the overall picture of the design. If you are a chess enthusiast then you can create a chess board design on your patio table or even a life size version on the terrace floor.


Original Post - http://terrazzo.net.au/blog/choosing-the-right-terrazzo-marble-tiles-for-your-snazzy-sydney-home/

Terrazzo Floor Tiles: The Ideal Choice for Residential and Commercial Applications Then and Now

Original Article Post - http://terrazzo.net.au/blog/terrazzo-floor-tiles-the-ideal-choice-for-residential-and-commercial-applications-then-and-now/

Since its discovery by Venetian mosaic artisans in the 15th century, terrazzo has been a preferred choice material for flooring systems in residential, industrial and commercial settings. Terrazzo, which was derived from the Italian word for “terraces,” was originally created using discarded marble chips that were then used by these mosaic workers to surface the terraces around their own residences. Now terrazzo can be crafted from a wider array of materials such as glass, granite and quartz. The art of terrazzo installation and maintenance has also evolved significantly throughout the years.

The popularity of terrazzo floor tiles

Terrazzo is known for its amazing qualities as a building material, including durability, strength and timeless appeal, among others.  In fact, one can still see some ancient structures especially in Venice, Italy that feature beautifully laid out terrazzo floors. After its “accidental” discovery, the use of terrazzo eventually spread out into other countries, and more and more builders and designers started to recognise it as an ideal building material especially for flooring.

Terrazzo has reached a peak in popularity during the mid-20th century, and is thus frequently associated with mid-century design. However, with the rise of installation costs terrazzo floor tiles became a relatively costly option for custom-built residential properties in subsequent decades. Terrazzo nonetheless has remained popular in a wide variety of commercial and industrial settings, such as hotels, airports, railway stations, hospitals, shopping malls, etc. Contemporary architects and builders normally recommend terrazzo floor tiles to commercial space developers not only due to the material’s aesthetic qualities but also its ability to withstand massive volume of foot traffic that is common in high traffic areas.

The timeless beauty of terrazzo floor tiles

Terrazzo as a building material offers plenty in terms of aesthetic beauty. Regardless of the type of terrazzo or the method of installation used, terrazzo flooring is always a stunning final product. This is because this flooring solution provides unlimited options when it comes to colour and design, so you can easily choose which floor tiles will work best to complement your home interiors. The mosaic look and textural quality of terrazzo flooring also make it an ideal flooring option for commercial and institutional settings, such as hotel lobbies, restaurants and bars, where there’s a high regard for aesthetically pleasing interiors.

Terrazzo flooring’s versatility in design

Compared to other popular types of flooring, terrazzo flooring offers more versatility in terms of design. This is one of the unique advantages of using terrazzo floor tiles in residential or commercial spaces. Terrazzo provides virtually endless design possibilities, with limitless options in aggregate materials, colour and pattern combinations. While marble may be the top aggregate choice for a variety of applications, terrazzo floor tiles can be crafted from other commonly used materials like granite, silica pebbles, quartz, etc.

Nowadays, it is also possible to have terrazzo flooring installed that has incorporated recycled materials like glass or metal scraps into its aggregate mix. However, keep in mind that terrazzo floor tiles may be more limited in terms of design flexibility compared to in situ terrazzo flooring type.

Terrazzo floors’ durability and sustainability

No matter how impressionable the type of flooring is installed in a residential or commercial space, it won’t matter as much if the flooring system cannot stand the test of time. While some may think that installing terrazzo floor tiles is costlier compared to other typical flooring solutions such as hardwood flooring, carpet, or ceramic tiles, terrazzo’s durability makes it a more cost-effective option. Some ancient terrazzo floors built in its place of origin are still in existence today. This proves that terrazzo has an outstanding level of durability, allowing it to exceed the lifespan of other flooring materials.

Furthermore, terrazzo flooring is much easier to maintain as opposed to other flooring types. Maintenance usually involves regular sweeping, proper mopping and buffing of the floor tiles. While terrazzo floors can withstand high volume of foot traffic, it still requires maintenance to prevent dirt, dust and other elements from potentially damaging the surface. It is essential though to be careful in using the right cleaning product for terrazzo floor tiles as not all cleaning solutions work well for every flooring type.

Terrazzo flooring indeed boasts a number of qualities that make it ideal for residential, commercial and industrial applications. To know what kind of terrazzo flooring system and method of installation will suit your living or working space needs, it is best to talk to a professional terrazzo contractor.

Why You Should Use Marble Tiles

Original Post From: http://terrazzo.net.au/blog/why-you-should-use-marble-tiles/

Everyone wants to have a high-quality flooring material that immediately gives visitors that “wow factor” once they walk into the room. One of the ways to do this is by using a material that screams opulence with every step. By this, we mean marble tiles.

For centuries, any place that is adorned by marble is considered sophisticated and luxurious, as the material has been used to decorate architectural masterpieces, such as palaces and historical places. The affluent use marble flooring or marble accents in their homes to further illustrate their wealth, and every visitor to their homes can attest how glorious the material looks.

Thankfully, despite the high price that many assume is attached to marble materials, using marble on your project today is within your capacity to do so. Before installing marble however, here are some things you should know.

Marble tiles are unique.

When marble is quarried, it is extracted from the rock surface in giant slabs that are processed and sliced into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces are processed and polished before they are turned into products that you can purchase from stores, such as flooring material.

Because of this trait, every single piece of marble is then unique, in the sense that no two tiles are exactly the same, and only have a superficial resemblance to the other pieces. Each piece has a unique coloring and veining, that when combined with the whole project will result to a stunning appearance.

Furthermore, depending on the quality and type of marble you choose, you can gleam a uniform look that will complement your establishment. Some high-end marble tiles have even coloring and soft veining that forms a uniform look, and radiating elegance and a sense of grandeur to your project.



Marble has a beautiful sheen.

When you walk into any establishment, the beauty of the place often takes you in. When you use marble, your visitors will feel a sense of grandeur as they walk on the polished floors.

This is because marble has a high tolerance to polishing, meaning to say you can polish the surface of your floor to look extremely shiny and smooth. This helps the colors stand out even more, which draws the gaze of your visitors to the marble tiles.

Furthermore, marble tends to shine when exposed to light. You can test this by installing white tiles in an area where there are a lot of naturally occurring sunlight. This will feel like light is flooding into your area as it penetrates the surface of the marble.



Maintaining marble flooring can be easy.

A good marble installation must be sealed with a high quality protective sealer to ensure that it retains its sheen from the day it is installed. This sealer is then maintained on a regular basis.

When it comes to cleaning the floor, keep in mind that marble reacts to acidic materials, such as most cleaning liquids. Using acidic cleaners can stain your marble tiles and damage its surface. Oftentimes you just have to use soap and water, and to scrub the floor with a nylon scrub brush to clean it.

Of course, all of these would be for naught if the marble you purchased is not made of quality materials in the first place. As such, you have to make sure that you tap a company that can provide high quality services that is fully compliant with environmental and OHS standards and has rigorous quality assurance processes.

When it comes to marble, look no further than Terrazzo Australian Marble Pty Ltd. We are a family-owned company that has been involved in the industry for over four decades. Our marble tiles are quarried from our five marble quarries in western NSW. What’s more, we have state-of-the-art equipment that ensures you will get the best marble materials in the market, including 5 axis CNC processing machines, CNC edge polishers, and tile presses, among others.

Our tiles have been installed in many of the demanding Australian environments, including airports, shopping centres, and railway stations. These projects saw the benefit of using our services, as they have years of trouble free maintenance. Contact us today if you want to have marble tiles that will stand the test of time.

How to Select the Right Floor Tiles

Every entrepreneur wants the best for his business – which is why choosing the right floor tiles for your commercial space is a decision that you should not take lightly. After all, the right kind of flooring can set the mood when potential clients visit your establishment. It can either make an impression that you are a serious businessman, or send the message that you are a neophyte and they should not trust you with their business.


Therefore, to avoid sending a negative impression about your company, you must meticulously choose your flooring with care. Here are some tips on how to help you choose the right flooring for our space.

Set a message

Do you want a sturdy floor that numerous guests can walk on without worrying about the floor tiles becoming scuffed or damaged? Is the area near liquids (such as near swimming pools) or prone to spillage (such as in commercial kitchens)? Is it going to be placed outdoors or indoors? These are just some of the questions you have to ask yourself when designing your commercial space’s look. Determining the messaging you want to convey helps you choose the right materials for your flooring, particularly when it comes to durability and functionality.

Set a theme

Once you have determined your messaging, it’s time to establish if you have a theme. Are you going to use your company’s colors? Are you going for contemporary designs, or are you trying to stick to traditional concepts? Since floor tiles literally take up the entire span of your flooring, you have to choose the tiles based on your theme, as once you have determined your flooring materials you would find it difficult to work around it if you change your mind.

Choose a size

There are many designs you can do with tiles, so it’s important to choose the right size. You can plan a mosaic on your floor, or you can go with more traditional tile settings.  For instance, Terrazzo Australian Marble offers terrazzo tiles in four size formats:

• 400mm x 400mm x 30mm
• 300mm x 300mm x 28mm
• 600mm x 300mm x 35mm
• 600mm x 400mm x 35mm

These floor tiles are very flexible design-wise, so you will have the right tools to set the right tone for your flooring.

Choose a color

Now that you know what theme you want and what size you’ll use, it’s time to choose the color of your tiles. The colors can do wonders for your flooring, as a striking decision will make your choice stand out. However, don’t just choose tiles with pretty colors as these colors have specific functions. For instance, remember the following:

• Dark colors tend to add warmth to your space
• Shade variation has to blend properly
• Light colors can add the illusion that your space is bigger than it really is
• Neutral colors gives you the flexibility to play around with accessories
• Vibrant colors can add character and can make your space look cheerful – however, you have to decide that you want vibrant floor tiles from the get-go and you would not want to change directions in mid-stride.
• When you are getting tiles similar to the Terrazzo Australian Marble, remember that there might be a slight variation to the marble. In the sense that no two tiles are the same, this variation in shade and color adds character to your space. You can opt to lay two floor tiles side by side to see if they work together, and to get a feel of how it would look like on your floor.

Choose a finish

Finally, it’s time to choose a finish that works best in your space. Terrazzo Australian Marble offers Sealed Polished Finish (where a protective shiny sealer is applied to the floor, ensuring that it retains its appearance through time), Machine Polished Finish (where the floor is ground and machine polished on site, with a penetrating sealer), and Honed Anti-Slip Finish (where the floor is ground on site to a honed finish, with a non-slip additive added to the process). This finish will determine how your floor tiles will look several years down the road.

Remember, your establishment’s flooring can make a statement about you and your business. Make sure you make the right statement by using the right tiles.

Article Source: http://terrazzo.net.au/blog/how-to-select-the-right-floor-tiles/