Concrete Fusion’s Terrazzo Restoration Service

Terrazzo flooring is one of the most resilient flooring types throughout history, with its origins in the Venetian Empire. In fact, terrazzo floors often outlast the buildings they’re installed in. 

However, many get neglected, covered with inferior flooring, or need help to return to their glory days. Concrete Fusion has brought new life to terrazzo floors in apartment buildings, offices, homes, retail stores, and more! 

Because terrazzo has been a popular flooring since Canada’s founding, the scope of these restorations varies widely depending on the aggregate type, concrete used, age, and other factors. Fortunately, you’ve already found the area’s top professionals to restore your terrazzo to being the works of art they should be for generations to come!

Terrazzo Restoration Process

Old Flooring Removal 

If another type of flooring, such as carpet, tile, or wood, covers existing terrazzo, the first step in a terrazzo floor restoration project is to carefully remove the overlaying material. This process involves using electric chipping hammers, angle grinders, and hand tools. Improper removal can damage the terrazzo, so it’s best handled by a professional.

Each type of previous flooring presents unique challenges during the repair and restoration process. For example, glue residue from a wood floor can stain and discolour the terrazzo, requiring precise surface grinding to restore its appearance. Likewise, removing carpet tack strips will leave small voids in the terrazzo that need to be filled with matching materials.

Repairing Terrazzo Floor Damage

During terrazzo floor restoration, some repairs are almost always necessary, the most common is filling holes. They may be as small as screws previously used to attach railings to the floor, or large areas where walls once stood, or where flooring was removed to access plumbing.

To repair these voids, we match terrazzo aggregates to your existing floor using our extensive collection of marble chips. We remove a small sample from your floor to accurately match the colour of the terrazzo binder using a computer-matching process, similar to how paint is matched at a hardware store. This precise matching process is essential for a successful terrazzo restoration.

Terrazzo Samples for a Perfect Match

Once we choose aggregates and the epoxy binder, we create samples to ensure a perfect match with the existing terrazzo floors. These samples help us verify the colour accuracy and confirm that the selected rock sizes are correct.

Installing New Terrazzo

Our team mixes the matching concrete and aggregates, then fills holes, voids, and cracks to create an even surface. This step takes a day, then at least one day more for the repaired areas to fully cure.

Grinding The Surface

After repairing voids and cracks in your terrazzo flooring, the next step is to grind the surface flat using an electric floor grinding machine with aggressive diamond tools, typically 30 to 40 grit. This grinding process removes any contamination from previous flooring installations and levels the filled areas, ensuring a smooth, uniform surface.

Polishing Terrazzo Floors

Once grinding is complete, we polish the terrazzo floors to achieve a final reflective finish. Waxing is an outdated finish method but requires frequent maintenance, including stripping and re-waxing. 

Polishing, the preferred approach, offers a more attractive finish with lower long-term maintenance. Additionally, diamond-polished terrazzo floors are less susceptible to fine scratches from daily use than waxed or sealed surfaces. 

Polished floors also provide better slip resistance compared to waxed floors, which can be especially beneficial for households with children or businesses concerned about slip-and-fall liability. Our team completes this step within one day, except in cases of oversized floors.

Cost of Terrazzo Restoration

The cost of restoring terrazzo flooring varies depending on the square footage and the extent of repairs needed.

• Residential restoration typically ranges from $8 to $13 per square foot.
• Repair work, such as filling voids, is billed daily, with additional charges for materials.
• Commercial restoration projects start at around $6 per square foot, depending on the size of the floor.

While the restoration process is detailed, a properly restored terrazzo floor offers a durable, long-lasting solution. If you have questions about your terrazzo restoration project, feel free to contact us for a free consultation.