Floor Types · Terrazzo
Terrazzo is built to last a century, and most of it in schools, courthouses, and lobbies is hiding under decades of yellowed wax. Modern terrazzo care doesn't wax it. We grind, hone, polish, and seal it to bring back its natural, durable, mirror-like shine.
Traditional terrazzo uses a cement matrix; modern terrazzo often uses a thinner epoxy matrix. Both are restored by grinding and polishing, with the approach tuned to the matrix and the aggregate. How far the polishing goes sets the sheen.
| Finish | Look |
|---|---|
| Honed | Smooth, low-sheen, soft matte |
| Semi-polished | Moderate, satin gloss |
| Polished | High, clear reflection |
| High-polished | Mirror-like gloss |
Related diamond-polishing work: marble and natural stone and polished concrete. Grinding produces dust, so we follow dust-control practices.
Generally no. Old maintenance programs waxed terrazzo, which yellows, dulls, and traps soil. Polished and sealed terrazzo looks better, lasts longer, and is easier to maintain. If your terrazzo is currently waxed, we remove it and restore the natural finish. See sealing vs. waxing.
| Frequency | Task |
|---|---|
| Daily | Dust mop, then damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner |
| Routine | Auto-scrub with neutral chemistry; no acidic cleaners |
| Periodic | Re-polish or burnish to restore sheen |
| As needed | Reseal to maintain stain resistance |
Maintained terrazzo needs only neutral cleaning and occasional re-polishing. A maintenance program keeps the polish up and the seal intact so it never slides back into a costly full restoration.
Polished. Diamond polishing produces a durable natural shine; wax yellows, dulls, and traps dirt. Old wax can be removed and the floor restored.
Almost always. Grinding and honing remove decades of wax, stains, scratches, and etching and bring the floor back.
Routine neutral-cleaner mopping or auto-scrubbing and occasional re-polishing, with no recurring strip-and-wax.
Cement terrazzo is the traditional, thicker system; epoxy terrazzo uses a thinner resin matrix. Both are restored by grinding and polishing.
Yes. A penetrating sealer helps the polished surface resist staining, since the matrix and stone are somewhat porous.
Properly maintained, terrazzo can last the life of the building, often many decades, which is why restoring it usually beats replacing it.
Tell us your facility, floor types, and square footage. We'll scope the work and send a written quote. Not sure what you have? Send a photo and we'll tell you.