Articles by Aaron Macarthur

The Ultimate Guide to Terrazzo Flooring – Meaning, Types and General Installation

The Ultimate Guide to Terrazzo Flooring – Meaning, Types and General Installation

Terrazzo is the new name popping up on every lip in the home décor industry. Unless you are not familiar with the materials used for modern floor designs, you would have heard about terrazzo tiles a quite number of times.  

Although terrazzo tiles are among the most sought-after materials for interior designs, many people still can’t recognise them at first glance. Has that also happened to you before? Well, it is common. Most times, you will have to pay closer attention to terrazzo tiles before you recognise them. One of the reasons this happens is probably because you only care about its functionality and appearance.  Click here to read more about Terrazzo Flooring Tiles Installation.

Terrazzo tiles can achieve both functionality and simplicity and at the same time enhance interior design beautifully without flaws – I call that versatility. Now you know the reason the name terrazzo keeps buzzing in home designing.  

For several years now, many kinds of floor materials have been in momentary trend and fade away in the market. Terrazzo also came within the same cycle but refused to go out of trend. For all I know, there are a lot of things to learn about the phenomenal terrazzo tiles. 

To get a clearer picture, I have helped you compile detailed information covering everything you need to know about terrazzo tiles. Here are some practical answers to the most frequently asked questions about terrazzo tiles.

What Is Terrazzo?

Typically, terrazzo is made from resin, making it a flooring material that provides a higher level of elegance in any space you use it. Terrazzo uses quartz, granite, glass, marble and any other stone, rock and mineral of diverse shapes and sizes entrenched into concrete or epoxy surfaces. 

Terrazzo tile consists of cross-sections of polished rock chips, enabling it to bring out a decorative look. In some cases, terrazzo tiles come with a unique finish that brings out a uniformly textured surface. 

Most interior décor experts prefer to use this kind of terrazzo tiles in a part of the building that usually experiences high traffic and some surfaces that needs traction like terraces, landscape walkways, poolsides, decks, and other outdoor spaces. 

What are the most common types of terrazzo flooring?

Although some researchers have unveiled some other types of terrazzo tiles for flooring based on the materials used to produce them, there are only four most common types in the interior décor world. 

Epoxy is the most popular type of terrazzo. However, there are other three common kinds of terrazzo that contractors cannot joke with when building or renovating residential and commercial buildings. Would you allow me to discuss the four common types in detail? Here you go:

1. Epoxy Terrazzo 

This kind of terrazzo is the most common in many residential and commercial buildings. It is relatively the crowd favourite. Out of the four common types, epoxy always finds its way to the list of several architects, contractors and interior décor experts. 

I don’t why most people fall in love with epoxy terrazzo, but I know it cannot be far from the fact that it requires lesser maintenance efforts. More than that, epoxy is relatively the most versatile type of terrazzo tiles. Why? It allows you to bring your creative abilities into action and let your imaginations soar. 

You can use it both on the wall and floor of space at the same time. You also use it for your countertops. Epoxy terrazzo offers a lot more in home décor. That is because of the wide variety of standard colours and materials it can hold.

2. Cement Terrazzo 

This type of terrazzo can withstand the pressure of high traffic. That is why you will always find it in a busy environment such as airport terminals, universities, malls and more. It is also a versatile and affordable option when it comes to designs.

However, you need to install your cement terrazzo during recommended weather conditions. Else, you will be putting your tiles at the risk of cracking. 

3. Sand Cushion Terrazzo 

This type of terrazzo tiles consists of many different materials such as sand, wire mesh and isolation sheets for reinforcement. These materials help prevent mirroring, which is helpful in some spaces where you want to place colour designs like logos and artwork. 

4. Rustic Terrazzo 

Just like the epoxy terrazzo, rustic terrazzo comes with a marble-like finish. However, it is ideal to use a rustic outdoor because it features a textured slip-resistant surface. Now you know why you have seen rustic terrazzo in the exterior areas of hotels, malls, townhouses and other commercial buildings that have fountains, pools, and other water features.

How do I install terrazzo tiles?

Well, different types of terrazzo tiles require a different system of installation. So, let’s take them one after the other.

1. Epoxy Terrazzo

Epoxy Terrazzo does not require much labour and high-level expertise during installation. Hence, you don’t need to be a tile pro before you could install it. To install epoxy terrazzo tiles, you would have to mix your base colour with the hardener at the typical ratio of 5:1. You will then mix both parts with filler powder and the aggregate. 

After that, you will then pour the epoxy and aggregate on the floor at the required height with your hand trowel. The next thing is to close it with a power trowel to tighten up and flatten the aggregate. Meanwhile, some installers also like to seed the floor before using the power trowel. If you install your epoxy in good condition, you can walk on it after 25 hours.

2. Cement Terrazzo tiles 

Cement terrazzo can be a bit more complex, unlike epoxy, as you might have to use a different installation method for each binder because of its makeup. Traditionally, cement terrazzo is a mixture of marble aggregate and cement in ration 2:1. You will have to add iron oxide for colouring. Mix the materials with water and pour it within the specified panel to your preferred height.

Final Words 

Terrazzo remains an excellent option for different types of interior designs. However, before choosing which one you would use for your flooring, make sure that you check all the options available and compare them with your intended design.  

A Comprehensive Buying Guide for Herringbone Tiles

A Comprehensive Buying Guide for Herringbone Tiles

Herringbone tiles is a unique structure for incredible beauty for both interior and exterior design, especially in the zigzag. It can get exhilarating in the overall outlook with a classic pattern that also crosses over into the modern designs. You get to see herringbone designs on the floors of bars and hotels to fashion runways. It also comes as fashion patterns in handbags, clothing and other items we see every day.

Ideally, it has never gotten any better or more straightforward with the home design to portray a different style. Consequently, we are bent on helping you find the perfect guide or instruction on an excellent choice of herringbone tiles. This guide will answer many basic questions you may have concerning the herringbone tile pattern for the floor and the wall. Having the right approach to the herringbone tiles pattern can enhance your chances for at value for a long time. 

Background on the Herringbone Pattern of Tiles

The herringbone tile pattern got its name from the arrangement of the bones of herring fish. The fish bones are arranged in such an attractive way that is now acceptable among many cultures. As a result, it is also a timeless representation with new ways to model the interior parts of your home. Meanwhile, its cultural value cuts across different civilizations and dates back to the ancient Roman empire. At the same time, herringbone tiles have existed for over 2000 years. 

What are the best sizes for Herringbone Tiles?

Due to the rectangular shape of the tile in its natural state, there is hardly any other shape to imagine. But then, the size of each tile depends on the beauty you intend to create on the surface. I’ve seen both smaller and larger tiles look exquisite. However, if you go too small in your choice of herringbone tiles, then you can create a pattern that brings more distraction than beauty. 

On the other hand, if your herringbone tiles are too large, it easily erases the geometric effect that the pattern is supposed to make on the surface. Moreover, in the real sense of deciding the best tile size that works, you should just work around the differences between the area of each tile and that of the intended surface. For instance, the brown herringbone tiles and the woodwork beige are perfect in their own clime. However, they are both different in size and can bring your dream of a unique style to life. And you don’t even have to make it overbearing. 

Where can I apply the Herringbone Tiles?

Experience has taught us that laying your tiles in the herringbone tiles pattern is one of the best choices you can make. You can pair this laying style with the kind of tiles you have for a perfect combination. At the same time, there are different options of the size and designs that you can make with tiles. However, the ideal style for your home requires the expertise of an interior designer with a wood effect tile pattern. 

Meanwhile, the modern designs of your floor and walls depict the actual value of the home. Most significantly, if you have a usually busy base and you don’t want it to look ordinary, you should consider the herringbone pattern of tiling. Obviously, use and water stains cannot wear out the tiles you arrange in the herringbone patterns. Also, if you need to choose a style to fit your home design, herringbone is an excellent way to begin. Laying the herringbone floor tiles gives a modern twist to any classic design that you have. 

Is herringbone different from Chevron tiles Patterns?

It is effortless to confuse the herringbone tiles pattern with Chevron, especially from afar. However, both styles are miles apart, even though in some cultures, the two names are interchangeable. For instance, Chevrons are sometimes referred to as ‘French Herringbones’ because it is ubiquitous among the French and could be traced to the culture. So, in a way, it can be somehow challenging to spot the difference between the two when installed.

Meanwhile, both the herringbone tiles and the chevrons form the zigzag appearance. Still, they are pretty different on a more careful look. The difference between these patterns is that the herringbone pattern appears staggered. Each tile is slanted at an angle of 900 against the next one. On the other hand, the chevrons pattern has an angled edge within the laid design. It also gets a little mystified when you see the chevrons with close edges in a continuous flow.

What different styles of herringbone tiles exist?

As herringbone is a popular style of decorating tiles for the modern interior design, it also has its own varieties. Some of the herringbone designs are fit for wooden patterns, while others get trilled in expensive parquet floors. Moreover, in recent years, more and more varieties of herringbone structures have been emerging with the flux of creative trends. Although, it appears that the modifications and creativity are better with smaller herringbone tiles than regular large sizes. 

In all, herringbone tiles are a perfect link for the vintage array of interior design with modern culture for decorations. You may also like to us plain and simple techniques with different colour tones to complement the whole interior design. At times, except you choose the herringbone style of laying tiles for some tiles, you may not be able to make the best design out of them. Moreover, it makes complete sense with contrasting grout. 

Will you now consider herringbone style?

Now, you have a good idea about what the herringbone looks like and how to achieve it. What will your decision now be? Clearly, the herringbone floor tiles are essentially a great addition to both vintage and modern design patterns that you have at your disposal. Moreover, these patterns are acceptable in many cultures across Europe. More importantly, herringbone is one of the best patterns for tiling floors and walls in Australia.