Colonial Floor and Stone Care

We are Colonial Floor Care!

I’d like to tell you a bit about where the terrazzo floor came from and how we do the installing today.

According to wikipedia, terrazzo was invented in Venice by construction workers as an inexpensive flooring material using marble and granite chips to cover patios near and around living spaces. It was inexpensive because because it was constructed using marble chips, which were the remains of larger marble pieces that were cut and installed in the homes of the wealthy. These “leftovers” were then recycled and used to make what were considered to be less extravagant floors. They were originally made from marble and granite chips, clay and goat milk as a sealer.

In the 1920’s the introduction of electric grinders and other power equipment made installing terrazzo much easier. This is most likely why there was a resurgence of terrazzo in domestic construction at this time, replacing tiles,travertine, slate and ceramic tile in homes, kitchens and in the bathroom. Later, linoleum was commonly used.

Laying Terrazo Floors

Terrazzo is made by exposing marble chips and other fine aggregates on the surface of finished concrete or epoxy resin. First, cement is layered to build a solid, level foundation. second a layer of sandy concrete is added. Third , a fine marble chip mixture is added that may be color pigmented. While the mixture is still wet, workers add more marble chips and roll a lightweight roller over the entire surface.

Finally, after the terrazzo is thoroughly dry, it is ground with a terrazzo grinder. The surface is then cleaned, polished and sealed.