new poured terrazzo

[1950smod]

Can anyone advise me on the wisdom (or absence of same) of using poured terrazzo flooring? I've seen this in a few 1950's houses and like it. People have quoted prices of $25 - $50 per square foot to have this done. Would be glad to hear from anyone who has experience with this flooring. Also curious about how to restore badly chipped terrazzo. Thanks! :wink:

[bkrahmer]

I don't know much about the stuff, but just found out that recently they did the floors in my former high school in rural MN with terrazzo, when they remodeled. Our previous middle school, built in the 30's, and the elementary school, built in the 50's, also have it. I've never seen it anywhere else besides schools. I would find it hard to believe that it would be near those prices, though. Then again, it would come down to local supply and demand.

[roger g]

Terrazzo.There is a lot of work in that stuff. I used to watch them do that stuff in the 50s and 60s. Yes I only ever saw that stuff in schools and hospitals. They would pour it like concrete, then when it dried they would grind it with, looked like huge floor polishers with grinding stones attached, and work at it for days. They used lots of water as they ground it and they used small powered machines for doing the edges and up the wall a few inches. They all seemed to have terrazzo baseboards as well.
Haven't seen it done in over 40 years. Those prices seem cheap. Never saw it any house. Are we talking about the same thing I wonder?


roger

[1950smod]

Yes, that is the process I'm talking about. I didn't realize that it took DAYS to do, but I suppose that makes sense, since it's pretty much grinding marble chips down to a smooth surface. Maybe it's cheap at $50/ft! From what I've seen in houses in Houston, it's still a beautiful surface after 50 years, if it isn't abused. Its durability is part of what made it popular for schools. I've been told that nowadays most of what looks like terrazzo in public buildings is actually terrazzo tile, only about a quarter of an inch thick, rather than an inch and a half which is typically what it is when done the original way.