【Introduction】 Without authorization, it is forbidden to move, and violators will be prosecuted. In the first decade of the last century, a material called terrazzo was all the rage and became the first choice for people's ground decoration. This terrazzo is varied in color, grayish-white, red-green, and has a smooth and hard surface, sometimes dotted with colored glass shards. Despite the complexity of the manufacturing process, it is both beautiful and durable, and can even last up to 40 years.
However, with the change of the times, terrazzo flooring gradually faded out of people's field of vision and was replaced by a variety of new floor materials. So, why was terrazzo all the rage? Why is it so rarely used today?
The origin and development of terrazzo] The history of terrazzo can be traced back to Italy in the sixteenth century. At that time, in order to save costs, some craftsmen inlaid marble scraps in the yard in order to save costs, and after water grinding and polishing, the effect was amazing.
This technique was soon widely adopted, bringing a unique style to local architecture. With the invention of cement, the production process of terrazzo has been improved, and people began to mix cement and gravel to make concrete, and then inlay marble, glass, quartz stone and other materials on the surface, which have been polished by water mill to form a strong and wear-resistant, colorful ground material.
This newer terrazzo is not only more durable, but also more effective, so it is gradually becoming popular in Europe and the Americas. With the spread of immigration waves in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, terrazzo technology also spread to all parts of the world, including China. Terrazzo began to be widely used in rural areas and became the mainstream choice for ground decoration.
Advantages of terrazzo] The advantages of terrazzo flooring are self-evident. First of all, it is extremely durable, extremely hard and dense, able to withstand high-intensity impact and friction, with little to no cracking, abrasion and deformation. Because the surface is polished, it has a certain moisture-proof performance, is not easy to penetrate liquids, and can effectively prevent the growth of bacteria, so it has been widely used in places with high hygiene requirements, such as hospitals.
Secondly, the surface of terrazzo is smooth and flat, which is convenient for cleaning up dust and dirt, and daily care and maintenance are relatively simple. On top of that, terrazzo has a high degree of customization, and the colors and patterns can be customized according to the needs of designers and customers, creating a variety of styles and effects, bringing people a unique visual experience.
The Terrazzo Challenge] However, terrazzo also faces some challenges. Compared to other floor materials, it has a weak load-bearing capacity, making it unsuitable for high-rise buildings or timber construction.
In addition, the project of laying terrazzo floors is more complex, requires professionals and equipment, and the construction period is long and costly, and many people are reluctant to spend too much time in the renovation. In modern society, people are looking for efficiency and fast pace, and few younger generations are willing to delve into this craft, resulting in an increasing scarcity of terrazzo craftsmen.
Especially in large cities, it becomes more difficult to find a professional terrazzo technician.
In addition, people's aesthetic perceptions are constantly changing, and some people believe that terrazzo floors are difficult to reconcile with modern decoration styles and furniture, giving it a sense of datefulness and cheapness.
Future prospects] With the development of science and technology, new floor materials continue to emerge, and they have been significantly improved in performance and quality, such as the moisture-proof and anti-corrosion performance of laminate flooring, the fire and anti-static properties of PVC flooring, etc.
These new flooring materials are not only fast to decorate, but also have better performance and can cope with various complex environmental conditions, so they are favored by more and more people. In addition, with the market competition and the expansion of scale, the ** of new ground materials is also decreasing, which is close to or lower than that of terrazzo flooring, so people are more inclined to choose these new ground materials.
However, if terrazzo can continue to innovate and improve to adapt to the changes of the times and market demands, it may still win back people's favor in the future. Overall, although terrazzo was once all the rage and is now gradually forgotten, it may one day return to people's vision and life, showing a longer charm and value. Looking forward to the future of terrazzo, let's wait and see.