What is Terrazzo?
We are Colonial Floor Care!
This is a pumpkin carved in the Mid-Century Modern style !
Happy Halloween!
Today we will discuss the origin and nature of Terrazzo. The production and art of terrazzo began in Venice, Italy in the 1500’s. At that time, wealthy people had elaborate homes, just as they do today. Marble and granite were highly desirable to the wealthy as embellishments for their home, and indeed, public spaces. After the marble and granite were chiseled to fit their place in the homes of the wealthy, construction workers collected the marble and granite chips left behind. They used these chips to make
less expensive floors for the middle classes. First they set out a foundation of clay, then placed the marble chips in the clay, forming patterns or spreading them randomly. They sealed and shined these floors with goat’s milk.Terrazzo floors became popular again, replacing slate and wood, in the early 1920’s, owing in large part to the development of electric grinding tools. In that era, terrazzo floors were modeled after the originals from Venice, using marble and granite chips to create mosaics in cement. In the 40’s and 50’s, epoxy was developed. This mixture allowed terrazzo to be made with much more of a homogeneous look. It was widely used by Mid-Century Modern designers and architects because of its clean lines and fresh appearance.
Today, new terrazzo is mainly used in large, public projects, such as the Carnival Center in Miami. Many recent installations have a mural like quality, often recreating paintings as a design feature. Installing new terrazzo is extremely expensive. Many homeowners are beginning to appreciate the high value- monetarily, aesthetically and environmentally- of their terrazzo floors. They are restoring them and uncovering them from tile ad carpet that had put laid on top of them.
Colonial Floor Care is South Florida’s ( from Boca raton to Coral Gables!) premiere terrazzo restoration and floor care company. We have studied terrazzo from its origins in Venice, to current installations. We have also developed highly effective, non-toxic methods of restoration, cleaning, repair and polishing. Let us care for your terrazzo floor properly.