Terrazzo Flooring Guide: How to Master the Art of Sustainable, Circular Design
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- Recycling History: Terrazzo is the “original circular material,” historically made by embedding marble scraps and leftovers into clay or lime binders.
- Eco Outdoor’s Approach: The company uses “unloved” offcuts and stone industry waste to create modular, durable flooring that connects indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Modern Evolution: While traditional terrazzo was cement-based, modern versions often use epoxy binders for faster installation and a wider color palette.
- Design Versatility: From intricate custom patterns using divider strips to seamless monolithic looks, terrazzo offers unmatched design flexibility.
- Longevity: A properly installed terrazzo floor is a “forever floor,” capable of lasting the life of the building with simple maintenance.
- Composition: Terrazzo flooring is made by embedding small pieces of marble, quartz, granite, glass, or other suitable chips in cement or another type of binder.
When you walk into a room with a terrazzo floor there’s an immediate shift in energy. You can feel the storied past. You can see it in the fragments, remnants of terracotta, and even recycled glass. Where other materials hide its history, terrazzo celebrates it. And architects and homeowners are finally rethinking what it means to live with materials that last and make beauty out of what we’d otherwise throw away.
Rammed-earth homes are drawing attention for their ability to turn raw earth into thermal mass walls that endure for centuries. Rice husk boards are becoming more popular as a wood alternative made from agricultural waste. And reclaimed timbers and vintage stone are becoming the definition of timeless style, precisely because they wear their imperfections openly. So terrazzo sits comfortably in this family of circular materials, a centuries-old practice that feels more relevant with every sustainability conversation.
Eco Outdoor, an Australian-founded company whose innovative terrazzo range has continued to push the narrative of circular design forward. In a conversation with LA Times Studios, Ben Kerr, Founding CEO and Product Innovator at Eco Outdoor, details terrazzo’s enduring appeal, technical evolution, and why this centuries-old material is suddenly one of the most relevant choices in modern design.
“At Eco Outdoor, we celebrate the beauty in imperfection,” Kerr said when asked how Eco Outdoor uses terrazzo to showcase circular design in residential projects. “As such, we design materials with uniquely distinct angles. Our ‘In situ’ terrazzo range was the beginning of our terrazzo story. In this collection, we use the offcuts, or ‘unloved’ parts of expensive and highly desirable materials, to create new flooring formats. We then repeat the process using any wasted material from production to transform the irregularly shaped tiles into beautiful flooring formats with smooth finished textures. By using leftover pieces, we give them a new life.”
That philosophy isn’t just poetic but practical. The stone industry produces millions of tons of waste annually. Much of it is perfectly sound material but often not the “right” dimension. Eco Outdoor’s In Situ embraces that irregularity.
The result is flooring that’s both visually captivating and ethically resonant. Each tile carries a small victory against waste, reminding homeowners that responsible design doesn’t have to be austere.
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Eco Outdoor describes their use of terrazzo as “raw in finish, modular in format, and designed for open living.” That modularity makes it especially versatile. In a world where seamless indoor-outdoor living is becoming the gold standard. From kitchens that spill onto patios to living rooms that open directly into gardens....terrazzo’s ability to run fluidly across thresholds gives it a distinct advantage. Its durability means it can handle weather outside while still delivering polish indoors.
When homeowners ask how best to incorporate terrazzo into a remodel, Kerr suggests thinking boldly.
“Terrazzo is a top choice among homeowners who want to make a design statement. Usually in the form of big gestures like flooring. Manufacturers will often ship product for large-scale home projects in crates, reducing the amount of material left behind from the production process. Our motto is, ‘If you want to use unloved materials, use enough to make a dent in the problem.’”
Terrazzo and the Evolution of Circular Design
This isn’t terrazzo as a passing accent. This is terrazzo as an architectural anchor. Think floors, staircases, and expansive countertops. Surfaces where the material’s resilience and monolithic pattern can truly shine.
The result is flooring that’s both visually captivating and ethically resonant. Each tile carries a small victory against waste, reminding homeowners that responsible design doesn’t have to be austere.
Floors, in particular, make sense from a longevity standpoint. A single, well-installed terrazzo floor can easily last the life of the building. Compare that to synthetic alternatives demanding replacement every decade, and the case for terrazzo’s sustainability becomes undeniable. It’s a “forever” floor.
Terrazzo is, in many ways, the original circular material. Its history stretches back to 15th-century Venetian workers embedding marble scraps into a lime or clay binder. An affordable solution born from resourcefulness. (They even used goat’s milk as the first sealer to bring out the stone’s color). Five hundred years later, the principle is unchanged: turn fragments into something cohesive.
But the modern twist is all about innovation in the binder and the aggregate. Early terrazzo was cementitious, but today’s high-performance versions often use epoxy resin binders, which are more durable and offer a wider color range. And the aggregate is no longer just marble. We now see recycled glass, reclaimed stone, mother-of-pearl, and even industrial byproducts. Eco Outdoor’s approach echoes this tradition while leaning into a contemporary aesthetic. They mix terrazzo with natural stone and terracotta to create palettes that feel both ancient and fresh.
“Terrazzo is a material that has been around for hundreds of years, yet it continues to evolve globally. As designers create new applications for the material, suppliers continue to innovate with raw material, blending various components together to create something strikingly bold. Most recently, terrazzo mixed with other mediums like natural stone and terracotta has surged in demand, bringing a range of new vibrant and playful colors to the design world.”
That openness to mixing reflects broader design trends. After years of minimalism, people are gravitating toward materials that bring texture and life into a space. The shift echoes the renewed embrace of reclaimed decor—where aged wood and storied ceramics are favored not because they’re perfect, but because they feel lived in. Terrazzo, with its almost infinite combination of aggregates, fits the moment perfectly.
Where Terrazzo Makes the Most Impact
With so many applications, where does terrazzo sing the loudest? For Kerr, the answer is clear.
“Using terrazzo in a home’s main entryway effectively sets a confident tone for owners and their guests when they first arrive. Unlike the neutral effect of natural stone materials like travertine or limestone, terrazzo is designed to stand out, both in color and pattern. As a ‘hero’ material, terrazzo adds a layer of vibrancy that becomes the focal point of a home environment. When mixed with limestone, terrazzo can also add a fun and inspirational pop of color to any bathroom setting.”
The entryway is a threshold. A terrazzo floor there doesn’t just withstand the scuffs of daily life but can share the homeowner’s values. It says: this is a house that celebrates materiality and invests in surfaces designed to endure.
And bathrooms, too, are becoming sites of expressive design. While stone has long ruled the space, terrazzo introduces pattern without sacrificing elegance. The real kicker is its seamless application, which works beautifully for vanities and shower walls, creating a clean, monolithic look.
The Science of Staying Power
Terrazzo’s longevity is legendary. A properly installed floor can last 75 years or more. Unlike materials that visibly degrade, terrazzo simply acquires character. When needed, it can be repolished to restore its original sheen, a process that can be repeated for decades.
This long lifecycle has profound sustainability implications. In a world of quick remodels, a surface that doesn’t need to be torn out is quietly radical. Keeping materials in place is one of the most effective ways to reduce a building’s embodied carbon. That’s the same reason designers are embracing rammed earth walls and rice husk boards: materials that don’t just perform today but endure tomorrow.
Part of terrazzo’s appeal is its ability to bridge eras. It was a favorite of the Art Deco movement in the 1920s and had a major mid-century moment. Today it feels just as comfortable in a contemporary loft. That versatility has made it a darling of designers who want to inject personality without relying on ornament.
In 2025, terrazzo also aligns with the conversation around quiet luxury and design that speaks through material integrity. The aggregates and finishes can be bold, but they are rooted in permanence and authenticity. We’re seeing architects pair it with reclaimed wood and plaster, creating interiors that feel layered and grounded. It’s a counterpoint to mass-produced surfaces and proof that sustainability and style aren’t just coexisting; they’re amplifying each other.
Terrazzo is luxurious but also recycled and bespoke. Terrazzo could also be seen as a philosophy. Value what already exists and elevate what could be overlooked. Eco Outdoor embodies this with each piece being slightly different...each surface alive with variation. That irregularity is part of the allure, an honest reminder that beauty often resides in imperfection.
For Kerr, this is more than a design choice.“By using leftover pieces, we give them a new life,” he says. In doing so, terrazzo becomes more of a conversation between past and present.
Epoxy Terrazzo and Cement Based Terrazzo
Understanding the difference between the systems is key to picking the ideal choice for your space. It usually comes down to two main players: epoxy terrazzo and cement based terrazzo. Epoxy terrazzo is the modern favorite for interior designers. Because it uses epoxy binders rather than a cement matrix, it can be poured as thin as 3/8 of an inch. It’s lightweight, offers incredible color vibrancy, and cures quickly meaning faster installation. It’s also low VOC, which matters if you’re sensitive to indoor air quality.
On the other hand, cement based terrazzo is the old soul of the industry. It’s heavier, thicker, and requires a robust concrete slab underneath. But it has a distinct advantage: breathability. If you are dealing with an older building where moisture in the slab is an issue, or you need something for outdoor spaces that can handle the elements, cement is often the winner. It has that classic, heavy feel of original recycled products.
Regardless of the system, making terrazzo is an art form. It involves mixing the base with marble chips, glass, granite, or other aggregates to get that signature speckled appearance.
Poured in Place vs. Manufactured Off Site
Once you’ve picked your system, you have to decide on the format. Poured in place terrazzo often called poured terrazzo is exactly what it sounds like. The mix is poured directly onto the floor, ground down, and polished. This creates a completely seamless surface. It’s stunning in commercial settings or large residential areas.
But there’s another way. Terrazzo tile (or precast) is manufactured off site. These are small pieces or large format tiles that are cured in a factory and shipped to you. The installation process is more like laying standard tile or stone. It’s generally less messy and can be a great solution if you don’t have the height for a poured floor.
Design Flexibility and Custom Design
The real beauty here is the design flexibility. Because terrazzo is a composite, you aren’t limited to what nature provides in a quarry. You can create customized solutions that fit your specific vision. Divider strips are the unsung heroes here. These metal (usually brass or zinc) strips are placed on the subfloor before the mix is poured. They separate different colors, but they also act as a canvas for custom design. You can create geometric patterns, borders, or even intricate logos.
This allows homeowners and designers to dream up their own designs. Want a color palette that matches a specific piece of art? You can do that. Want to mix marble with mother of pearl or recycled glass for some sparkle? No problem. The customization options are practically endless. For commercial spaces, this means branding can be built right into the floor. For homes, it means the floor becomes a piece of art. It’s about craftsmanship.
Why It Is A Cost Effective Flooring Option
Let’s talk numbers. It is true that the initial cost of terrazzo is higher than carpet, vinyl, or standard ceramic tile. But when you zoom out, it is one of the most cost effective flooring options available. Why? Durability. Terrazzo is incredibly durable. In high traffic areas and places with heavy foot traffic like schools, airports, or busy hallways it is typically lasting the lifespan of the building itself. We’re talking 40, 50, sometimes 100 years. It is a low maintenance material. You aren’t replacing it every decade like carpet or wood laminates. The price of terrazzo flooring can vary significantly based on factors such as the type, design complexity, and installation method.
There are numerous benefits, but the bottom line is that you pay once for a flooring project that stays put. It also has high resistance to chemicals and bacteria, making it an ideal choice for kitchens and bathrooms. When you factor in the lack of replacement costs, the lifecycle value is huge. Terrazzo flooring is resistant to chemicals, oil, grease, and bacteria, making it suitable for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications.
How to Clean Terrazzo Tile and Periodic Deep Cleaning
Despite its sophisticated look, maintaining these floors is surprisingly simple. Daily maintenance basically consists of dust mopping to keep abrasive grit off the surface. When it comes time to wash it, you need to use a ph neutral cleaner and clean water. (Avoid harsh acids or alkalis—they can damage the binder or dull the polish). A few tips for keeping it pristine:
- Terrazzo flooring systems require simple cleaning and maintenance, including daily dry mopping and periodic deep cleaning.
- Promptly clean up spills. Especially acidic things like wine or lemon juice, to prevent staining.
- Avoid using all-purpose cleaners containing water-soluble inorganic salts or crystallizing salts.
- Keep the water clean during mopping so you aren’t just pushing dirt around.
Eventually, even the best floors need a refresh. Periodic deep cleaning removes the buildup that regular mopping misses. And if the floor starts to look dull after years of wear? You can strip and reseal it. Or, for a full restoration, professional re polishing can bring back the original high-gloss shine. It handles moisture well, but like any stone-based product, sealing is your friend.
Whether you choose epoxy terrazzo for a sleek indoor remodel or cement based terrazzo to flow into your garden, you are buying into a legacy. It’s a material that refuses to be disposable. From the installation of the concrete or epoxy base to the final polished reveal, it is a process that respects materials. It turns aggregates and small pieces of waste into a seamless expanse of natural beauty. Terrazzo flooring systems contribute to US Green Building Council’s credits under the LEED Rating System, enhancing their sustainability.
The advantages are clear: durable, cost effective over time, and offering incredible design options. But the real draw is that it just feels good to walk on. It grounds a space. So, if you are looking for flooring options that balance custom design with sustainability, terrazzo is ready for its close-up. Again.
