(Above image: A monolithic cement terrazzo system extends this California home’s modernist elegance outdoors, where steppingstones, a patio, and pool coping echo the interior’s refined palette and fluid geometry. Photo by: Jose Enriquez-Ruvalcaba)
Interior designers looking for a material that checks every boxv—vdurability, sustainability, versatility, and aesthetics — will find terrazzo a surprisingly flexible medium. But with so many options, specifying terrazzo can feel overwhelming. That’s where the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association (NTMA) steps in. The NTMA is a designer’s resource at every phase, from early decision-making through installation.
Start with the Right Questions
“Many designers have never worked with terrazzo and have no idea how to get started,” said NTMA Technical Director Gary French. He recommends beginning by asking:
- Will the terrazzo be installed indoors or outdoors?
- What kind of traffic or loads will it bear?
- Are there moisture issues or specific substrates involved?
- What aesthetic or design intent is the team trying to achieve?
These questions help determine the appropriate terrazzo system and allow the designer to balance performance and visual goals from the start.
Interior or Exterior?
The first major decision is location. Outdoor terrazzo must be cement-based, often in a textured Rustic finish for slip resistance. Indoors, designers often choose epoxy terrazzo. Lightweight and strong, it can be installed over many substrates — including tile or even existing terrazzo — making it ideal for renovations.
Thin or Thick?
In new construction, sand-cushion cement terrazzo is a durable option, but its thickness typically rules it out for renovations. Epoxy terrazzo offers a one fourth to three eights resin matrix veneer, weighing only three to four pounds per square foot and curing quickly. For outdoor use, thinner cement-based systems like polyacrylate or monolithic terrazzo offer economical and practical solution
Performance Counts
Some projects require added performance characteristics. Epoxy terrazzo has greater tensile and compressive strength than cement systems. It resists chemicals, supports hygiene-sensitive design, and handles minor substrate movement with the use of a flexible membrane.
Photo by Louis Thomas
Photo by Marco Munoz
A Platform for Creativity
For designers, terrazzo is about more than technical specs — it’s a creative medium. “While some materials might inhibit you, terrazzo lets you be an artist; it flows with you,” said Debra Babcock, Director of Interiors at Chesney Morales Partners in San Antonio. “Yet it can also be more regimented. As a designer, you’re not limited by terrazzo as a material.” Her NTMA contractor guided her through the process — explaining system types, finishes, and helping her explore options hands-on. “Seeing things in person and being able to ask questions helped so much,” she said. “They were invaluable to me. I still go by the shop sometimes.”
Photo by David Laudadio
What surprised her most? The range of custom color options. “Anything can be matched in terrazzo, including paint deck colors,” she noted. Her firm used terrazzo to create a medallion of colorful iconography that celebrates local history in a building lobby.
Material with a Message
“Terrazzo provides the opportunity for infinite flexibility for message-driven content that creates visual interaction between users and their environment,” said Anita Ambriz, owner of Ambriz Graphic Design in Chicago. “Beyond the obvious — cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, durability, low environmental impact, contribution to LEED certification — it’s the capacity for expression, from very dynamic to subtle.”
Designers can use terrazzo for branding, storytelling, wayfinding, or public art — embedding visual content directly into the architecture.
Photo by FotoGrafix
Photo by Clem Spalding
Get the Support You Need
After choosing a system, designers work with their NTMA contractor to develop layout and pattern. Epoxy terrazzo is especially well-suited for multicolored, intricate designs and offers a wide palette of stone, glass, and synthetic aggregates. The NTMA’s Honor Award gallery provides a wealth of design inspiration.
From samples and formulas to installation guidance, the NTMA offers support every step of the way. Their contractor members are experienced in translating complex ideas into built reality — on time and on budget. Designers are encouraged to download NTMA specifications early and consult their contractor and the association for guidance throughout the process.
“You’re not in this alone,” French said. “We’re here to help you find the right system, explain your options, and make sure your design intent is realized.”
Learn more at www.ntma.com, or reach out directly at 800.323.9736 or Tech-Info@ntma.com
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