Terrazzo vs. Polished Concrete Flooring: Which is the Best Choice for You?

WHAT IS TERRAZZO?

Terrazzo flooring is a made from combination of aggregates, typically marble or recycled glass, and a binding material like Portland cement or epoxy. The mixture is applied over a slab and, once cured, ground and polished to a smooth, shiny finish and coated with a topical sealer or wax.

WHAT IS POLISHED CONCRETE?

Polished concrete involves grinding and polishing a concrete slab to a desired appearance and level of smoothness and reflectivity. While densifiers and grout coats can be applied during the polishing process to strengthen the concrete and reduce porosity, the surface finish is achieved entirely through the mechanical polishing process. Topical sealers and waxes are not necessary on polished concrete floors.

AGGREGATE TO CEMENT RATIO:

Terrazzo is made up of 70% aggregate and 30% cement, whereas a typical concrete slab has an opposite ratio of 30% aggregate and 70% cement.

COLOR AND DESIGN OPTIONS:

The color and design options for terrazzo flooring are practically infinite. Metal divider strips are used to separate colors and create stylish design elements, intricate patterns, and even logos.

Polished concrete can be stained or dyed in patterns, but colors and design possibilities are somewhat limited. Because concrete is often poured in sections, slab coloration and aggregate distribution will differ in transitional areas or from room to room.

SIMILARITIES IN APPEARANCE:

Polished concrete can often resemble terrazzo depending on how much material is removed from the slab’s surface to expose more aggregate. However, the aggregate distribution in polished concrete can be unpredictable and will not be as uniform as it is in terrazzo floors.

STYLE AND AESTHETICS:

Terrazzo’s beauty, durability, and design flexibility make it an ideal choice for a wide variety of settings, from schools and hospitals to upscale residential buildings and luxury hotels.

Polished concrete is quite beautiful as well, but lends itself more toward an industrial or modern aesthetic.

DURABILITY AND MAINTENANCE:

Terrazzo is one of the most durable flooring options available. With a wear surface made primarily of hard aggregate, terrazzo floors are extremely resistant to wear, even in high-traffic areas, and their expected service life can last for decades. Terrazzo does require occasional stripping and resealing to maintain its appearance, which can usually be done by in-house maintenance personnel.

Polished concrete is also extremely hard and wear-resistant, and its expected service life is nearly as long as that of terrazzo. Polished concrete is practically a no-maintenance floor that only requires regular surface cleaning. If the surface is compromised, it’s easy to restore.

SLIP RESISTANCE:

Polished concrete is inherently one of the most naturally slip-resistant hard flooring choices available. Some topical finishes used on terrazzo can be slippery, especially when wet, so it is important to opt for a slip-resistant sealer.

COST:

Polished concrete is considered to be a relatively cost-effective flooring choice. Terrazzo, on the other hand, is much more expensive, with upfront costs averaging about two to four times as much as polished concrete depending on the complexity of the design and materials used. However, in comparison to other flooring options like vinyl, tile, epoxy, carpet, etc., terrazzo can pay for itself over time due to its extreme longevity, durability, and low maintenance requirements.

SRI & Company is highly experienced in the installation of both polished concrete and terrazzo floors and can assist you with making the best, most-informed flooring choices for your specific setting and application. For more information, please contact us at 973-832-7627 or visit our website at www.thesrico.com.