Pittsburgh boasts impressive rustic terrazzo installations.
“We have some exquisite and extraordinary patterns,” said Mike Toole, third-generation owner of Allegheny Installations, one of two National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association member contractors in the city. “Rustic terrazzo has become a standard for sidewalks in the city.”
That standard was set long before Toole came into the terrazzo industry 30 years ago, joining his father and grandfather, who specialized in other floorings.
“I love terrazzo, so we joined the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association,” he said. “Now terrazzo is half of our business.”
Rustic terrazzo is a textured, nonslip surface designed for distinctive exterior installations. Unlike interior terrazzo installations, rustic terrazzo is left unground and unpolished. Installed as a half-inch topping bonded to concrete, its enhanced aesthetic offers vast design flexibility, much like its interior counterparts.
A Consistently Higher Aesthetic
“If one compares terrazzo in general to concrete finishes, whether exposed aggregate or polished interior floors, terrazzo offers a more consistent and refined aesthetic,” Toole said. “We have an unimaginable number of colors, and we can do fancy designs and patterns that you can’t do with concrete.”
OUTDOOR PITTSBURGH’S PNC BANK is a rustic terrazzo installation created by Allegheny Installations.
Calling for a Little TLC
Toole reports seeing 20-year-old rustic sidewalk installations around Pittsburgh that still look brand new, even though they haven’t all been properly maintained. Lack of maintenance can lead to problems, especially in northern climates where road salt can penetrate and damage the finish.
Because the initial installation of terrazzo is more expensive than the simpler exposed aggregate concrete, some adopt a strategy to install the less expensive option, bypass maintenance and then replace it when it fails. Ideally, though, any flooring needs to be properly maintained for maximum longevity, whether inside terrazzo or outdoor exposed aggregate concrete.
Savoir Faire
Despite its advantages, rustic terrazzo is “a dying art,” according to Toole.
“In many areas of the country, it’s hard to find craftsmen who even know how to install it,” he said. “No schools exist that teach the craft. Like traditional sand-cushion terrazzo for interiors, it’s going away.”
RUSTIC TERRAZZO is a textured, nonslip finish for outdoor installations.
Hard Labor
Installing rustic terrazzo installation is labor-intensive–it requires skill, experience, and on-the-job training.
His company sources their cement and chips directly through a quarry, so the primary cost comes down to labor. As a result, it may not be promoted as widely as epoxy terrazzo systems.
An epoxy terrazzo veneer, which cannot be used outdoors, requires less skill and experience when compared to traditional sand-cushion or rustic systems. The benefits and caveats of all the terrazzo systems should be understood, celebrated and supported.
Following Directions
RUSTIC TERRAZZO in Detroit’s Harmonie Park / Paradise Valley was an NTMA 2011 Honor Award Winner
One of Toole’s favorite adages for a successful installation of rustic terrazzo is “preparation, preparation, preparation—of everything,” from the substrate, filler, colors, and caulking to the edges, surroundings, and use of chemicals.
“The installation specs on rustic terrazzo are 12 pages telling you how to do the job,” he said. “The devil is in the details. But if you do it right and take care of it, it’s an excellent product.”
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Not sure which system is best for your project? The NTMA is your authoritative resource on terrazzo, offering free, personalized technical guidance on terrazzo installation. Call Gary French, Technical Director, at 800-323-9736 ext 1 or email him at gary@ntma.com.
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