Terrazzo

Terrazzo is a composite surface: chips of marble, granite, glass or stone set into a binder, then ground flat and polished to reveal the aggregate in section. The result is a continuous field of pattern, where every chip reads as a small piece of stone suspended in a coloured matrix. Because both the aggregate and the matrix are chosen by the client, no two specifications need look alike.

We work with a network of specialist terrazzo casters whose hand-casting skills have been honed over many years. With hundreds of slabs of marble and granite to browse in their yard, clients have the opportunity to pick and choose what to add to their bespoke terrazzo. Our makers have cast terrazzo featuring broken bottle glass, seashells, semi-precious stones and recycled metal washers, as well as curved and ripple-effect pieces, so the scope is wide.

We specify this hand-cast terrazzo for furniture tops, bar surfaces, flooring and decorative panels across hospitality and residential commissions, particularly where a project calls for a surface that is both visually distinctive and genuinely hard-wearing. Aggregate and matrix combinations are agreed with the client and design team to match the colour and tonal palette of the wider interior, so the terrazzo reads as an integral element of the scheme rather than an afterthought.

Terrazzo is built in two parts: the aggregate and the binder. The aggregate is the visible chip content, typically marble, granite, glass, mother-of-pearl or other hard stone, graded by size from fine grit to large statement pieces. The binder, or matrix, holds the chips together and sets the background colour. Traditional cement-bound terrazzo uses a pigmented cement matrix and is valued for its weight, depth and long working life. Resin-bound terrazzo uses an epoxy or polyester matrix, which allows thinner sections, brighter pigments and a non-porous surface.

In casting, the chosen aggregate is mixed through the matrix and either poured in situ or cast as panels and tiles. Once cured, the surface is ground back in successive stages with progressively finer abrasives, which cuts through the chips and exposes them flush with the matrix. Voids opened during grinding are filled and the piece is reground until the field reads evenly. A sealer or polish completes the surface.

Terrazzo is hard-wearing and well suited to surfaces that see daily use. The aggregate is stone or glass, so the surface resists abrasion and holds its finish over many years. Cement-bound terrazzo is heavy, which is worth planning for early: tops, panels and floors may need supporting structure and careful handling sized to the piece. Resin-bound terrazzo is lighter and can be cast in thinner sections, which makes it a practical option for furniture and for cladding where weight is a constraint.

Porosity depends on the matrix. Cement-bound surfaces are porous and should be sealed, then maintained with a neutral-pH cleaner; acidic cleaners can etch both the cement and any marble aggregate. Resin-bound surfaces are effectively non-porous and need little beyond routine cleaning. Both types can be reground and repolished in place if a surface is scratched or dulled over time, which is one of the material's practical advantages. We advise on the right matrix and finish for each setting, including kitchens, bathrooms and high-traffic floors.