All you need to know about terrazzo tiles

What is a Terrazzo tile?

Terrazzo is the Italian word for "terrace". Terrazzo tiles originally come from Italy. In the Netherlands, we know these Italian tiles as "Granito" tiles. A granito tile is made from different types of natural stone in combination with cement and water. By mixing all these together, you get a very durable tile with a natural look.

How are Terrazzo tiles made?

Various raw materials are used to make Terrazzo tiles. A number of fully recycled materials, including natural stone, are used. These are combined with cement and water. When you mix this, put it in a mould, and then polish it, you get a Terrazzo tile like the one above. Glass mosaic tiles also exist, where glass is incorporated into the cement instead of stones (see photos 3 and 4).

Making Terrazzo tiles

It's not quite as simple as described above, of course.

Natural stone is the base of Terrazzo

First, natural stone must be processed into a usable material. Marble, limestone, granite, glass or other types of stone are ground into small pieces. In the past, this was all done by hand, but nowadays it's done with machines.

Cement and water

Next, a base of cement and water must be created to bind all the ingredients together. By colouring the cement, you can determine the base colour of the Terrazzo tiles. Photo 1 shows different base colours. There are white terrazzo tiles as well as black terrazzo tiles.

Mixing raw materials

Once the ingredients are gathered, they can be mixed. The small pieces of natural stone are mixed with the cement and water mixture. This creates a single mass that can be placed in a mould. This is the basis for the Terrazzo tiles.

Making Terrazzo tiles in a mould

Once the mixture is ready, it can be placed in a mould. In the past, this was also all done by hand, but nowadays it can be done on a larger scale with machines. After the tiles have been given the desired shape by a mould and pressed, they can harden. Now it really starts to look like something.

Polishing Terrazzo tiles

The rough tiles can be removed from the mould. They don't look as good as they do in the shop yet. The rough, hardened tiles are polished last. This is done in such a way that the top layer of the tile looks beautifully smooth and neatly finished. They are now ready for use.

Terrazzo tiles are durable and last a lifetime

Due to the use of natural materials such as marble, limestone, granite, pebbles, glass or other hard types of stone, the tiles are of extremely high quality. The granito tiles have a very long lifespan and are also relatively sustainably produced. All materials used can be fully recycled and natural materials. Because the tiles are thoroughly provided with durable stone types, they last an enormously long time. When a few millimeters wear off, this is not a problem. The material underneath is of just as good quality as the original top layer.

Natural materials

Due to the use of natural materials, the tiles are wear-resistant, colourfast and dimensionally stable. The tiles can be used frequently. We often see them in public spaces such as old churches, libraries, stations, old mansions and the like. These floors are often hundreds of years old and still look fantastic.

Sustainable production process

In addition to using natural materials, the production process is also relatively sustainable. Because the tiles are pressed and not fired, no ovens are needed. Ovens need to be heated, with whatever material, and this process is worse for the environment than pressing tiles at high pressure.

Using Terrazzo tiles in 2022/2023

Although Terrazzo tiles were widely used years ago, they are certainly not old-fashioned. As far as we are concerned, we see these beautiful tiles making a comeback in modern homes. Whether it's a new-build house or a 1930s home, Terrazzo tiles come into their own everywhere when the colour, size and the rest of the home's furnishings are carefully chosen.

Using Terrazzo tiles as wall tiles

Use terrazzo tiles as a backsplash in the kitchen, as bathroom tiles, as wall tiles in the hallway or as wainscoting in your living room. Choose the colour you like. Choose a terrazzo tile with blue glass incorporated, with cream-coloured marble or with black granite. It's all possible.

Using Terrazzo tiles as floor tiles

There is also something for everyone when it comes to floors in your home. Choose large Terrazzo flagstones of 60x60cm for a kitchen floor. Choose smaller 10x10cm Terrazzo floor tiles for a bathroom floor. Or choose 40x40cm Terrazzo tiles for a toilet floor. You can also choose the colour of terrazzo you want for the floor and what materials are incorporated into the tiles.

Fake Terrazzo tiles

We can also replicate Terrazzo tiles using modern techniques and other materials. Not only can we now print various patterns on concrete and protect them with a coating, but we can also recreate any print, motif or pattern with ceramics. The most common fake Terrazzo tiles are ceramic tiles with a terrazzo look. These come close to the original Granito tiles, but if you look closely, you'll see the difference. They are a bit slicker and less natural, and the print often looks very fake. This variant can also be used well for a modern floor or cladding a wall. If it were up to us, you wouldn't choose these fakes. If you like Terrazzo, you buy the real deal, of course.

Ceramic Terrazzo look

Would you prefer a cheaper alternative to real terrazzo that is easier to work with, more colourfast, and simpler to clean? Then check out our popular, playful terrazzo-look ceramic tiles for bathrooms, hallways, and more. Ceramic terrazzo look is also extremely durable. And the colourful or black and white prints are getting better and better!

Tips for buying and laying Terrazzo tiles

• Quality: Terrazzo tiles are made in different quality classes. There are fake tiles, but also real tiles. Within the real tiles, there are different thicknesses available. The thicker, the better. Terrazzo tiles thicker than 1cm often contain whole stones. This ensures better quality. The 3cm thick terrazzo floor tiles are our preference for use on floors. You often see 3 cm thick terrazzo floor tiles in the halls at airports. This is because they are so extremely strong and last a lifetime.

• Dimensional stability: Cheaper variants are often not dimensionally stable. Investigate the quality of the tiles and ask about their dimensional stability. This is important during the laying or installation of the tiles, and you will also benefit from a dimensionally stable tile in the years to come.

• Top layer: Inquire about the tile's top layer. Good terrazzo tiles are machine-polished. Some tiles are offered that are not well polished or not at all. In these cases, you will have to polish them yourself after laying. This isn't always a problem but is important to know beforehand.

• Dimensions: You can sometimes recognise real Terrazzo tiles by their size. Actually, real Terrazzo is not made larger than 40x40cm tiles.

• Underfloor heating: Not all granito tiles are suitable for underfloor heating. Ask about the quality here too and whether they are suitable for underfloor heating. The wrong Terrazzo tiles can crack.

Terrazzo look vs. real Terrazzo

Do you prefer to work with ceramic terrazzo-look tiles? This imitation variant of terrazzo is cheaper, more dimensionally stable, and easier to cut to size. Then check out our selection of terrazzo-look tiles.

Photo 11 Terrazzo tiles in the bathroom give the space style and character