All Terrazzo Properties at a Glance
You have made your decision: it is going to be terrazzo. The real Italian stuff. You have done your research, read a great deal, seen plenty of examples — and you are ready to go. But now that you are about to get started, a familiar question surfaces: how did it work again, exactly, with the composition, the adhesive, the grout, the installation, the maintenance?
Do you really need to read everything all over again?
No. You do not.
At De Tegel BV, we understand that you are making dozens of decisions at the same time right now. Losing track of the details is not strange — it is human. We have been guiding people just like you for over thirty years, and it always works out.
Below you will find everything arranged in one clear overview table. Read through it, use it as a checklist, and if you still cannot find what you are looking for — just get in touch.
Overview table: everything about terrazzo
| Composition & Sustainability | |
|---|---|
| Composition | 65% aggregate (stone chips), 25% cement, 8% filler, 2% pigment and additives. Ratio may vary slightly depending on tile type. |
| Ecological | Eco-friendly production using hydraulic presses, without kilns. Low carbon footprint, no waste. |
| Dimensions & Finish | |
| Standard size | 60 × 60 × 2 cm |
| Other sizes | On request: 20×20, 30×30, 40×40, 80×80 and 120×120 cm (all 2 cm thick). Other sizes within slab dimensions of 305 × 120 × 80 cm. |
| Thickness | From 2 cm up to 10 cm |
| Finish | Standard soft matte sheen. On request: sandblasted (higher anti-slip value) or higher gloss level. |
| Preparation | |
| Storage | Dry, well-ventilated space. Cover with breathable material (cotton or linen). Never use plastic, cardboard, or non-breathable materials. |
| Substrate | Preferably a cement-based screed, free of dust and grease, maximum 4% moisture content. Newly poured screed: allow 1 week drying time per centimetre of thickness. |
| Primer | Recommended for improved adhesion. 1 litre covers approximately 10 m². Only proceed once the primer is completely dry. |
| Installation & Maintenance | |
| Installation guide | Always read the installation and maintenance guide before starting. Have your installer read it too. |
| DIY or professional | Self-installation is possible, but for the best result we recommend using a professional tile setter. |
| Adhesive | Use thick-bed tile adhesive with a 10 mm notched trowel. Apply adhesive to both the tile and the substrate. Allow 6 kg of adhesive per m². |
| Grout | Most popular colours: white or silver-grey. Available in 10 colours, bags of 25 kg. Allow 400 g per m². |
| Impregnation | Recommended: Lithofin Flexstop W. 1 litre treats 10–15 m². First coat before grouting, second coat after grouting. |
| Daily maintenance | A dash of Was & Clean in the mop water is sufficient. |
| Package | De Tegel BV supplies complete packages with specially developed installation and maintenance products. Convenient to order at the same time. |
| Applications | |
| Indoors | Kitchens, entrance halls, toilet areas, living rooms. Also widely used in bars, restaurants, hotels, public buildings, churches, and airports thanks to its exceptional wear resistance. |
| Outdoors | Terrazzo is not frost-resistant. Outdoor use is only suitable in a fully covered space; beyond that, at the owner's own risk. |
| Underfloor heating | Excellent compatibility. Terrazzo retains heat effectively. |
| Custom made | Available from 110 m². Choose your own aggregate (mother-of-pearl, glass, iron, stone types), pigment colour, and size. Stair treads, windowsills, and tabletops also available to order. |
| Costs | |
| Price 60×60×2 cm | Consumer advisory prices between €139.95 and €149.95 per m². Other sizes on request. Professionals: volume pricing structure on request. |
| General rule | The more you outsource, the higher the project cost. The more you do yourself, the lower the project cost. |
| Cost breakdown | Five components: 1) tiles, 2) additional materials (adhesive, grout), 3) labour costs, 4) transport costs, 5) unforeseen costs. |
| Technical data sheet | Available on request. |
| Ordering & Delivery | |
| Samples | Always recommended before ordering. Free shipping on orders above €30.00. Sample costs are credited on large orders. |
| Delivery time | From stock: within 2 days in the Netherlands and Belgium, within 4 days across Europe. Not in stock: approximately 50 days after ordering. |
| Minimum order | From 1 tile. |
| Packaging | Crates with a maximum content of 18 m², delivered to the kerb. |
All Terrazzo Properties at a Glance
What does this mean for you?
You now have everything in one place. From composition to delivery time, from installation advice to daily maintenance routine — everything you need to move forward with confidence is in this table.
Terrazzo is not an impulse purchase, and it does not need to be. It is a floor that lasts for decades, always looks beautiful, and asks little in return for a great deal. Anyone who takes the preparation seriously — a sound substrate, the right adhesive, timely impregnation — lays a floor they will enjoy for years to come.
The next step is simple: order a sample first to assess the colour and texture at home. If you still have questions about installation, costs, or the right product combination afterwards, get in touch with De Tegel BV. We are happy to help.
About the Author
Geert Olsthoorn is Managing Director and Owner of De Tegel BV, a specialist tile company with over three decades of experience in handcrafted floor and wall coverings. De Tegel BV guides both private and commercial clients in selecting high-quality handcrafted floors, including terrazzo, terracotta, cement tiles, zellige, and French natural stone slabs.
Geert personally writes all articles on the De Tegel BV website to share knowledge and practical expertise with clients and fellow professionals.
Five Frequently Asked Questions about Terrazzo
1. Can I lay terrazzo tiles myself or do I need a professional?
Self-installation is possible, but for the best end result we recommend having the work carried out by a professional tile setter. Terrazzo requires a dust- and grease-free substrate with a maximum moisture content of 4%, the correct primer, thick-bed tile adhesive applied with a 10 mm notched trowel, and a proper impregnation procedure both before and after grouting. If you are confident with all of those steps, you can do it yourself. Still unsure? Call in a specialist.
2. How do I know whether my substrate is suitable for terrazzo tiles?
The substrate should preferably be a cement-based screed, free of dust and grease, with a moisture content of no more than 4%. For a newly poured screed, allow 1 week of drying time per centimetre of thickness. Is your situation different — for example an existing tiled floor, a timber substrate, or underfloor heating? Have the situation assessed in advance. Misjudging the substrate is one of the most common causes of problems later on.
3. Why do I need to impregnate twice, and when should I do it?
Terrazzo is a porous material that needs protection against moisture, dirt, and stains. The first coat of impregnator is applied before grouting, to protect the tile surface during that process. The second coat is applied after grouting, to seal the entire floor including the grout lines. We recommend Lithofin Flexstop W: 1 litre treats 10 to 15 m². Skip either coat and the protection will be incomplete.
4. What does a complete terrazzo floor cost when everything is included?
The tile price for our 60×60×2 cm terrazzo tile is between €139.95 and €149.95 per m². On top of that come five cost items: additional materials such as adhesive (6 kg per m²) and grout (400 g per m²), labour costs, transport costs, and a contingency allowance for unforeseen costs. The more you can do yourself, the lower the total project cost. Always request an itemised quote so you can compare all components fairly.
5. Can terrazzo tiles be used outdoors?
Terrazzo is not frost-resistant and is therefore not suitable for unprotected outdoor spaces. Outdoor use is only appropriate in a fully covered area, such as a sheltered terrace or canopy without direct exposure to rain and frost. Use beyond that is at the owner's own risk. Not sure whether your situation is suitable? Contact us for advice before placing your order.