Terrazzo, laid theway it lasts.

Terrazzo is a composite floor made by casting marble, granite or quartz chips into a cement or resin matrix, letting it cure, then grinding the surface back to expose the aggregate and polishing it.

It is one of the oldest continuously used floor finishes in the world, and it survives because it is essentially a solid stone surface cast in place with no joints for dirt to collect in.

Properly laid in-situ terrazzo routinely lasts decades. Because the aggregate runs through the full depth of the topping rather than sitting on the surface, wear does not expose a different material underneath.

When it eventually dulls, it is re-ground and re-polished rather than replaced — which is why terrazzo is still found in institutional buildings put up sixty years ago.

The initial cost per square metre is usually higher than ceramic tiling, because terrazzo is a multi-stage process involving casting, curing, grinding and polishing over several days.

Over the life of a building it is often cheaper, because there are no joints to fail, no individual units to crack and lift, and the surface can be renewed rather than ripped out.

Yes, provided the base is structurally sound and we can accommodate the additional thickness at doorways and thresholds. In-situ terrazzo needs a bonded or unbonded screed base of adequate depth.

We check levels and thresholds at survey stage, because discovering a height clash after casting is a serious problem.

The matrix can be pigmented in a wide range of colours, and the aggregate can be white or black marble, granite chips, coloured quartz or a blend. The proportion and chip size change the character completely.

We prepare sample panels so you choose from a finished, polished sample rather than from a photograph.

Brass or aluminium divider strips control cracking by breaking a large area into panels, allow colour changes, and give the layer a clean line to work to.

Terrazzo is a cementitious material, so it shrinks slightly as it cures. Dividers put that movement in a controlled line instead of a random crack.

Polished terrazzo is smooth, so for external areas, ramps and wet zones we specify a lighter honed finish or a lightly textured surface rather than a full polish.

Our exterior veranda and walkway work is typically finished to a matt or honed level for that reason.

Terrazzo cannot be rushed. Base preparation and casting take a few days, then the topping must cure — typically several days — before grinding can begin, followed by successive grinding passes and finally sealing.

A typical veranda or entrance area runs one to two weeks end to end. We build the curing time into the programme upfront.

Sweep or vacuum, then damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid acidic cleaners, which etch the cement matrix and any marble aggregate.

Re-seal periodically depending on traffic. Correctly maintained, it needs no other treatment for years.

Usually yes, and it is often the best value work we do. Dull, stained or lightly damaged terrazzo can be mechanically re-ground, honed, polished and re-sealed back to near-original condition.

We assess whether the topping has enough thickness left to take a grind before recommending it.

It performs extremely well in our climate. It is unaffected by strong UV, stays cool underfoot, and handles the wet season without the joint failures that affect tiled external areas.

We use it most on verandas, entrances, stair treads, corridors and high-traffic public floors across Harare.

Yes. Precast terrazzo units are useful for stair treads, risers, window sills, skirtings and vanity tops, where casting in place is impractical.

Precast elements are usually combined with an in-situ floor so the whole area reads as one material.