What is terrazzo exactly? Terrazzo is a composite of small chips and pieces of marble, quartz, granite or glass that is mixed with a binding agent then polished to create an durable and practical flooring surface for high traffic areas. Common at airports, hospitals and commercial building lobbies and schools, it can last a lifetime if taken care off properly. In the past the binding agent was Portland cement, now it is more common the use a polymer epoxy.
Boston Stone Restoration was recently contracted to restore a lobby floor of an office building in Manchester, NH. Over the years the floor had been waxed which was common practice years ago. Wax is not practical as it yellows over time and ultimately can attract dirt and dust. When properly polished with diamond abbrasives, the floor will gleam on its own. In addition there were several holes in the floor that needed to be filled. BSR specializes in this type of repair. First we cut out the damaged area of terrazzo. We then color match the epoxy and aggregate ( the chips of marble, quartz etc) and mix them to fill the holes and make the virtually undetectable. After the epoxy sets, we grind down the patch,polish and the holes disappear! So can terrazzo floor damage be repaired? The answer is a resounding yes.