| Material type | Composite |
|---|---|
| Made from | Stone or marble chips in a cement or resin binder |
| Where it comes from | Originally Venice; now made worldwide |
| Hardness | Varies with the chips and binder |
| Porosity | Higher with cement binders |
| Etches with acid | Marble chips and cement binders can |
| Typical finishes | Honed or polished |
| Best film finish | Usually satin |
Terrazzo protection
Terrazzo,
kept speckle-perfect.
Terrazzo is having a moment in Sydney kitchens, bathrooms and cafes. What it is made of means it marks more easily than its tough look suggests.
Worth knowing
Terrazzo is only as tough as the chips and the binder holding them together.
Most terrazzo is marble or stone chips set in cement or resin. Marble chips etch with acid. Cement binders are porous and react to acids too. Resin binders vary by product.
Terrazzo at a glance
What it is
made of.
Typical figures. Natural stone varies from slab to slab.
Where we see it
Terrazzo
around Sydney.
See it work
Everyday mess,
wiped away.
The same kind of everyday spills your terrazzo will meet, on a protected benchtop. Everything stays on the surface and wipes away.
Filmed on our earlier film. The film we install today carries a 13-year warranty and a 250°C rating.
Terrazzo today
Playful,
and porous.
Terrazzo started as a way for Venetian workers to use marble offcuts, and it has become a design favourite again. Bold coloured chips on white, subtle greys on grey, and large-chip “Palladiana” styles all appear in Sydney kitchens, bathrooms and cafes.
How it behaves depends on its recipe. Cement-based terrazzo is porous and alkaline, so acids etch the binder and liquids soak into it. Marble chips etch too. Resin-based terrazzo is less porous, but the resin can be marked by some solvents.
Because recipes vary so much, we identify the terrazzo before recommending anything. Where film suits it, it covers chips and binder in one even layer.
Care
Living with
the film.
and mild cleaner.
such as nail polish remover on resin terrazzo.
As with any surface.
if you have it; it helps the assessment.
Our approach
Check the mix,
then protect.
- Identify. We check whether the terrazzo is cement or resin based and what the chips are.
- Recommend. We confirm the film suits your terrazzo and recommend a finish.
- Protect. The film goes over the whole surface, so chips and binder are both covered.
How it works
Simple from
the first message.
- Estimate. Answer four quick questions in the form below. We respond within 24 hours.
- Assessment. We confirm the stone is terrazzo, check its finish and look for any existing etching or staining.
- Application. The film is applied edge by edge in satin or gloss to suit your terrazzo.
- Handover. You get care instructions and a 13-year written warranty.
Is terrazzo natural stone?
It is a composite: natural stone chips set in a manufactured binder.
Can you protect a terrazzo cafe counter?
Yes, after assessing it. See bars and hospitality.
Free estimate
An estimate
in 30 seconds.
Four quick answers and your details. We will respond within 24 hours with an estimate and, if needed, arrange a visit.