Terrazzo Tiles

Terrazzo effect porcelain reproduces the chip and matrix composition of poured terrazzo in a fired ceramic body. It gives specifiers the appearance of a traditional composite floor without the site pour, the curing programme or the ongoing sealing regime, and with the water absorption and abrasion performance of porcelain.

Specifying terrazzo effect tiles

• Chip scale drives the read. Fine aggregate patterns read as a near-solid tone at distance and suit large open floors. Coarse chip patterns read as texture and are better used over smaller areas or as a feature, because the repeat becomes visible across a wide floor plate.
• Finish against application. Polished finishes suit dry internal floors. Honed sits between polished and matt for high-specification interiors. Matt, grip and structured finishes are specified where wet slip performance governs.
• Slip resistance. Confirm a PTV of 36 or above tested wet to BS 7976-2 for any floor that will be wet in use. Polished terrazzo effect should not be used in entrance zones or wet areas without checking the pendulum data for the specific finish.
• Pattern repeat and batching. Digitally printed terrazzo runs to a set number of face variations. Over a large floor, confirm the number of faces in the range and dry-lay before fixing so the repeat is not read as a pattern.

Colourways are grouped for specification: beige terrazzo, grey terrazzo, white terrazzo and pink terrazzo.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between terrazzo and terrazzo effect tiles?

Traditional terrazzo is a composite of stone or marble chips in a cementitious or resin binder, poured or precast, then ground and polished. Terrazzo effect tiles are porcelain that reproduces that appearance. The porcelain route removes the site pour and the sealing regime, and gives lower water absorption and better stain resistance than a cementitious terrazzo floor.

Are terrazzo effect tiles suitable for commercial floors?

Yes. Porcelain terrazzo is specified across hospitality, retail and workplace floors. The variables to fix are slip resistance for the zone, abrasion class to ISO 10545-7 against expected traffic, and thickness, with 20 mm required for external or pedestal-laid use.

What grout colour should be used with terrazzo effect tiles?

Match the grout to the matrix rather than to the chips. Matching the matrix lets the floor read as a continuous surface, while a contrasting grout turns the joint grid into the dominant pattern and competes with the terrazzo itself.