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For commercial project managers and procurement specialists, choosing the right flooring and surfacing materials is a time-consuming decision. While beautiful and durable, terrazzo tiles and natural stone are very different in terms of maintenance, safety requirements, cost and design flexibility. Yuanda Stone is a stone supplier company and a stone factory in China, which has been in the stone business for more than 20 years, both producing terrazzo tiles and providing natural stone for commercial use around the world. To cater to various requirements, we provide OEM, ODM and one-stop solutions. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the difference between these materials so you can choose the best for your next commercial interiors project.
Understanding Terrazzo Tiles for Commercial Use
Terrazzo is a man-made surface material which is created by combining marble, granite, quartz or glass chips with resin or cement binders. Terrazzo tiles are pre-cast and install quickly making them well suited for large scale commercial installations, such as hotel lobbies, retail stores, office corridors and restaurants. Resin-based terrazzo is not porous and will not stain or get waterlogged without seal. The exposed aggregate also provides natural slip resistance, which helps to minimize the risk of accidents in wet conditions. The other benefit of terrazzo is that it can be completely customized to meet any design requirements. Colors, chip size and background hues for the aggregates can also be customized to suit any brand identity. Our terrazzo tiles are manufactured with the most advanced polishing machines and the precise cutting machine to guarantee one quality from wholesale order.
Understanding Natural Stone for Commercial Use
Natural stone is a stone that is cut from the earth. Common varieties of rock used in commercial interiors are marble, granite, limestone and quartzite. Each slab is different and the veining and coloration patterns develop over millions of years. Natural stone provides an unrivalled character on high-end commercial projects where exclusivity is key. As opposed to terrazzo, however, natural stone is not as easy to maintain. Most natural stones will require regular re-sealing to avoid staining. Acidic spills can etch on marble. The natural stone is also typically more costly because of the quarrying process, transportation, and reduced material yield. With good quarrying network around the world, Yuanda Stone offers clients superior natural stone that would suit their unique style.
Durability and Safety Comparison
Commercial floors are subjected to heavy foot traffic, rolling carts, and sometimes impacts. Terrazzo tiles are very durable. The composite construction provides an anti-crack and anti-chipping surface to resist cracking and chipping. When installed correctly, there are no grout lines to form a weak point where damage can begin with terrazzo tiles. Terrazzo is undoubtedly a better choice for slip-resistant floors. The exposed aggregate makes the chips micro-textured, giving traction even in wet conditions. Natural stone, however, is able to be extremely slippery in wet conditions. Terrazzo tiles may be the preferred option for commercial buyers who value safety, but not sacrificing style. Yuanda Stone is able to fine-tune the slip resistance of our terrazzo tiles to fit a specific application.
Maintenance and Lifecycle Costs
Total COS is significantly affected by long-term maintenance expenses. The maintenance of terrazzo tiles is quite low. Their surface is not porous, thus preventing stains from coffee, wine, oils and cleaning agents. Terrazzo is easily maintained with regular sweeping and damp mopping. No sealing, waxing or special treatment is required. Natural stone should be sealed every 6 to 12 months (as traffic dictates). Spills should be cleaned up promptly so that they do not stain. Acidic cleaners are not to be used. On a large commercial property with thousands of square meters of flooring, these differences can contribute to great amounts of labor and material expenses. Terrazzo tiles provide reduced life cycle costs and still have great aesthetics. Yuanda Stone is a factory direct manufacturer, offering terrazzo tiles at wholesale rates.
Design Flexibility and Customization
For commercial projects, it is essential to have flooring that will strengthen the brand. The terrazzo tiles shine in terms of design flexibility. Any color, chip size, background color and even logos can be tailored to each specification. Terrazzo with a retail chain's colors can be used in a retail chain. A hotel is able to incorporate its crest into its lobby flooring. Natural stone does not provide for customization. Colors and patterns can not be changed. There is a lot of choice, but you can't choose a specific shade or pattern that is not already a quarry product. Terrazzo tiles offer a set of features that natural stone simply cannot, for commercial projects that demand a unique design expression. We have the ability to provide full customized service for Yuanda Stone through our OEM/ODM program.
Cost Comparison for Commercial Budgets
Overall, terrazzo is much more cost-effective than natural stone. Use of local aggregates and binders in the manufacturing process helps to keep raw material cost low. Production is efficient – there is little waste. Quarrying is a labor-intensive and wasteful process with natural stone. Hauling large blocks of stone is expensive. Cost of terrazzo tiles is about 30–50 percent cheaper than similar natural stone flooring. In large-scale commercial building projects of thousands of square meters these savings are significant. Commercial buyers who purchase stone directly from Yuanda Stone as their factory direct supplier, will get rid of the middle man markup and get more cost savings.
Conclusion
Budget and maintenance are not the show-stopper for using natural stone for high-end applications where the one-of-a-kind beauty is preferred. For the majority of commercial interiors, terrazzo tiles are another plus option that offer better traction, reduced maintenance, endless design options and substantial cost savings. Yuanda Stone is a professional stone supplier and factory in China, producing high quality terrazzo tiles, and providing natural stone for wholesale commercial buyers globally.
