North Central Terrazzo Association

Transcription

1 The Essence of Terrazzo North Central Terrazzo Association

2 What is Terrazzo? F rom the royal palaces and serene bath houses of ancient times to modern international airports and today s finest universities, terrazzo has been used for thousands of years. More than a uniform material, terrazzo is always yielding a unique product of design, technique, and skillful execution. Designers love to work with terrazzo because they can use it to realize their most creative visions. Colors ranging from the delicately subtle to the boldly vibrant can intertwine or spill forth in any way imaginable. For designers working with terrazzo, the surface becomes a canvas with infinite possibilities. Most often used for flooring, terrazzo is a mixture of marble, glass chips, onyx, or granite that is solidified with either a cement mix or epoxy resin. There is plenty of room for variation within this terrazzo recipe, which is why architects, designers, and contractors are always able to create awe-inspiring surfaces that are customized to each project. Children s Hospital of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, WI Terrazzo can be found just about anywhere: Airports Cafeterias Hospitals Locker Rooms Museums Office Buildings Restaurants Schools Shopping Malls Stadiums Convention Centers Parks Homes

3 How is Terrazzo Installed? 1 2 Divider strips are used to separate colors and to maintain designs. The chips and binding resin are mixed together. 3 4 The terrazzo is poured into place. After it hardens, the terrazzo is ground and polished.

4 5 A finished terrazzo surface. Chaminade College Preparatory School, St. Louis, MO Photos Courtesy of Viken Djaferian/FotoGrafix

5 Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, Rockford, IL Why is Terrazzo Still in Demand Today? Cost-effective During the lifetime of a building, the total cost of maintaining and/or replacing flooring can multiply up to 35 times. Because terrazzo almost always out-lives the building in which it is installed, these enormous costs never come into play. And maintenance costs are minimal. Customizable With unlimited design and color options, terrazzo offers limitless creative opportunities. Terrazzo has the unique ability to complement the mood, themes, and aesthetics of its surroundings. No two terrazzo projects are ever the same. Easy to Maintain Clean, safe public areas and indoor air quality are more essential today than ever before. Terrazzo s non-porous surface resists microbes and moisture, resulting in a mold-free, healthy environment. And maintenance is as easy as sweeping, mopping, and the occasional machine cleaning. Durable Terrazzo retains its rich colors in high-traffic areas where durability, longevity and minimal maintenance are critical. Most terrazzo floors never need to be replaced. Valued for its resiliency as much as its beauty, terrazzo inspires for decades. Terrazzo is Environmentally Responsible Resource Reuse: significant longevity and low maintenance costs Recycled Content: often uses post-industrial and post-commercial recycled glass or stone aggregate Local Regional Materials: manufactured on-site, reducing waste and transportation costs Indoor Emitting Materials: inorganic based binders contain zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) For these reasons, terrazzo often contributes up to five LEED credits in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). See National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association LEED PDF for details

6 Contact Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL For more information, contact: North Central Terrazzo Association 5139 American Road Rockford, IL P: F: