Terrazzo is an Italian word meaning terrace. It was created by Venetian marble workers during the 15th century.
Workers were left with oddly shaped pieces of marble after jobs. They would put the small marble rocks in clay
and grind them flat for a more comfortable walking surface. Terrazzo is a composite material that is mainly
used as a flooring system that mixes together construction aggregates with a cement or epoxy binder. It is a
versatile material that can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, and even outdoors.

1. High Traffic Capabilities

Terrazzo flooring is economical, durable, and easy to install. It’s great for flooring for many reasons including,
longevity, life-cycle costs, design capabilities, and environmental friendliness. The most common form of
terrazzo is poured-in-place concrete terrazzo, which makes it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas like
restaurants, hotels, and busy commercial facilities that need durable flooring, such as hospitals, airports and
schools.

2. New Innovation

Terrazzo is a relatively new innovation in flooring. It was first introduced to United States residents in the
1890’s, it only became popular during the 1920s with Art Deco style driving design and architecture. The
material was first used in Italy, where it was created by combining small pieces of marble, glass, and other
materials to create a mosaic-like surface that makes up the floor. Terrazzo is made using three main
components: sand, stone, and cement mixed with water. As the mixture dries, it becomes solidified into one
single piece of material.

3. Easy Maintenance

The beauty of terrazzo flooring lies in its ability to mimic natural stone without being fragile like actual marble or
granite. It provides easy maintenance for homeowners—just sweep regularly for dust and dirt buildup—and can
even be customized with colored pigments to create unique designs! Terrazzo tile is easy to maintain and
repair. You can also choose from many different finishes, including polished or honed which give it a unique
look that will stand out in any space.

4. Terrazzo Flooring Has Unique Benefits

Terrazzo, as a material, can be made from a variety of materials. Terrazzo is a composite material that consists
of aggregates (such as sand and stone) with a cement binder. Generally speaking, it is created by pouring wet
concrete into containers and allowing it to harden before being broken apart again. The result is generally an
extremely durable flooring material that has the appearance of natural stone but doesn’t require the same level
of maintenance. Terrazzo can be used in many different areas—from kitchen floors to sidewalks—wherever
you might need an attractive yet durable surface for heavy traffic or high wear-and-tear situations such as
kitchens, bathrooms, or even entryways. As mentioned above, there are several different types of terrazzo
flooring available on the market today due to how versatile this product can be made when combined with
different aggregates such as granite or marble dust giving them unique looks while still maintaining their
durability.

5. Terrazzo Flooring is Economical

Because terrazzo flooring is durable enough to last a lifetime, requires very little maintenance, and simply
never goes out of style, it’s a fantastic investment that won’t break the bank over its lifespan making it one of
the least expensive options out there. This type of flooring is also very durable, so you won’t have to worry
about replacements for a long time. Made from natural materials like marble or granite that are then bonded
together with cement, means it’s a versatile choice in any room in your home! Terrazzo tile is easy to maintain
and repair. You can also choose from many different finishes when installing this type of tile including polished
or honed finishes which give it a unique look that will stand out in any space.

Terrazzo flooring is a versatile material that can be used in many different areas of your home or business. It’s
easy to clean and maintain, making it great for high-traffic areas. Terrazzo floors are also ideal for outdoor
installations because of their durability and resistance to water damage. If you want an inexpensive, durable
product that is stylish enough for indoor use but still looks great outdoors as well then terrazzo may be the right
choice for your floor!

If you’ve ever had a crack in your kitchen countertop, you know how unsightly and frustrating it can be. Not to mention the fact that it can be a safety hazard because it weakens the structural integrity of the counter. The good news is that many such cracks can be repaired. Sometimes you can handle minor repairs yourself, while other times it’s best to call the professionals. Let’s talk about some common methods used to fix a crack in a counter.

Continue reading “How to Fix a Crack in Your Counter”

Terrazzo is a durable flooring option that can add warmth and style to any room. It’s made from thousands of small pieces of recycled glass, stone, and other materials that are cast in place. Terrazzo has several benefits over other types of flooring because it’s resistant to scratches and stains. Plus, its life-cycle cost can be lower than other options due to its durability.

1. Terrazzo Can Be Applied to Different Types of Surfaces

Terrazzo is a composite material made of marble chips and cement that has been used for flooring, walls, countertops, and more since ancient times. Today, terrazzo is an eco-friendly green material that creates beautiful finishes. The way it’s manufactured allows you to create the look and feel you want while using less energy than other flooring materials. Even with inset logos in your floor, terrazzo does not require grout joints, which makes it both beautiful and long-lasting. Additionally, because terrazzo floors are nonporous, they are easy to clean and resistant to moisture damage such as stains or rusting if there is any moisture present on the surface of the flooring itself (i.e., spills). They are also much easier to cut than most other types of stone products, making installation faster than many other options available today!

2. Terrazzo’s Structure Brings Durability and Ease

Terrazzo is a composite material made from thousands of small pieces of glass, stone, and other materials that are cast in place. While the materials may occasionally vary, the main ingredients are marble chips, glass chips, and cement. These materials are mixed together at the factory and poured directly onto your floor, where it cures for 24 hours before setting as smooth, solid flooring. Terrazzo is known for its durability, good looks, and low maintenance requirements. It also has a very low moisture absorption rate which makes it ideal for high-traffic areas like lobbies or hallways where you could potentially face water damage from excessive foot traffic.

3. Terrazzo Has A Long Lifespan

As we said, terrazzo is a very durable material, and with that comes resistance to stains, scratches, and scuffs. Terrazzo flooring can last a long time if you take proper care of your home or commercial space. It has been in use since the early 1900s and still continues to be a popular choice for flooring today because of its easy maintenance and cleaning features.

Terrazzo’s life-cycle cost can be lower than other options. Its sturdy structure means that terrazzo floors rarely need to be replaced.. When you do need to replace your floor in the future, you’ll want to consider the cost of the flooring type, like tile or vinyl, versus the materials’ wear rate, as compared to your terrazzo floor.. A quick comparison shows that most types of vinyl and tile will fall between $4-$6 per square foot, compared with $6-$10 per square foot for concrete overlaminates with limited warranties and no guarantee against chipping or cracking. This makes them a poor option in comparison with our premium quality commercial terrazzo that is manufactured by only one company worldwide – Terrazzo Tile International Corporation located in Miami, Florida.

4. Terrazzo Has Extensive Design Capabilities

Terrazzo is a versatile material that can be used to create a variety of textures and can come in many colors. The nature of terrazzo’s creation– combining different elements– means that designers, architects, and installers can shoot for the moon with logos, images, patterns, and more.. The possibilities are limitless when it comes to terrazzo flooring.

5. Terrazzo Is Environmentally Friendly

Terrazzo is made from quickly-replenishing resources, all of which are sourced sustainably. Terrazzo is also made from recycled materials. The byproducts of the manufacturing process are reused in various ways, such as filling potholes or making new flooring products. Terrazzo installation is environmentally-friendly from start to finish. None of the materials will damage the air quality of the space, and even the binders used for installation do no harm to the environment.

Ready to Install Beautiful Terrazzo Floors?

Terrazzo is an ideal choice for the durability and longevity that you need on your floors. It can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and more, with lasting beauty that will bring style to any room Our stone experts have extensive experience with terrazzo flooring, and are happy to help you determine if terrazzo flooring is right for you. Contact us today or visit our showroom to learn more about terrazzo’s benefits and how it can transform your home!

Natural stone adds elegance and beauty to any commercial space. However, without proper care and maintenance, the signs of wear and damage become apparent, diminishing both the aesthetics and safety of your floors. If you own or manage a commercial property that sees plenty of foot traffic, you’ll begin to notice the effects of that traffic on your stone or tile floors over time. Or perhaps you’ve just acquired a property whose floors have been damaged by overuse. 

Luckily, there’s no need to replace your entire floor when this kind of damage occurs. Stone and tile restoration can bring back the beauty of your floors, making them look new again for an affordable price. Let’s discuss why stone and tile floors sometimes need to be restored, and talk about what the restoration process looks like.

Why Stone/Tile Restoration Is Necessary

No matter what kind of stone or tile you use on your floor,and no matter how strong the finish,your floors are no match for the dirt and debris brought in on people’s shoes day in and day out. Over time, that grime will begin to etch the finish, making the floors look dull and dirty, especially in high-traffic areas. You might even notice a dulled “pathway” on the floor where people regularly walk that no longer matches the look and finish of the rest of the floor. If your floor is made from stone or ceramic tile, you might also notice uneven or “chipped” areas of the tile where items have been dropped or the stone has been worn unevenly.

However, these problems can be easily resolved by an expert through the process of stone restoration. For a fraction of the cost of replacing the floor, our professional technicians can utilize a series of proven techniques to restore the entire floor back to like-new condition, effectively renewing the stone’s elegance and extending the life of your commercial floors.

How Does the Restoration Process Work?

The restoration process is tailored to the unique needs of the floors in your commercial space. After conducting a thorough inspection of your floors, our technicians will develop a personalized plan to address the areas of damage. Most of the restoration process involves using a series of diamond abrasives in various grits to remove blemishes and scratches, create an even look, and polish the floor to the desired finish. Some of the specific techniques used may include the following:

• Grinding and leveling: Using strong abrasives, we grind the stone down to eliminate scratches, stains, and blemishes. This also levels the stone out to make it completely smooth and even.
• Lippage removal: Lippage occurs when tiles become uneven along their edges, usually because they’ve been worn down in high-traffic areas. We carefully remove the lippage and make the floor even again.
• Honing: This process uses a series of finer abrasives to smooth out the surface of the stone and create a uniform look.
• Polishing and buffing: We use fine abrasive compounds to polish and buff the floor to the desired finish, whether that finish is matte, semi-gloss or high-gloss. For commercial floors that see a lot  of traffic, we will often utilize a special process called crystallization, which uses chemical compounds to bring the floor to a high-polish finish that stands up better to wear-and-tear and is easy to maintain.
• Sealing: Another important process for high-traffic commercial floors is to apply a protective sealer to the stone or tile. This sealer penetrates the stone pores and adds a protective barrier against stains, moisture, and contaminants.

Leave It to the Stone Care Professionals

Stone and tile restoration is a specialized field that requires years of experience and training to execute properly. When it comes to high-traffic commercial properties, the stakes are even higher. A botched restoration job can lead to additional damage and costly repairs. Because of this, we do not recommend taking on stone and tile restoration or refinishing as a DIY project. These risks are also why it’s essential to choose a company with a proven track record of success and plenty of experience.At Statewide Stone Care, our technicians are trained and experienced in state-of-the-art techniques that can restore even the most worn stone and tile floors back to like-new condition. For a free estimate on restoring the floors and other stone surfaces for your commercial property in New York or New Jersey, contact us today.

Our tile and stone restoration experts use many methods to keep every stone and tile surface in the buildings you manage optimally clean, safe, and looking their best.

As a property manager in NYC, your job is challenging, to say the least. We know you have every aspect of your buildings and property to manage, along with a roster of employees and contractors you use to help with each. Improperly handled, any one of those elements can spell big trouble not only for you but for the property owners and tenants.

With that in mind, our focus is solely on the management of restoration and maintenance of your stone and tile surfaces. Without this on your plate, you’re free to take care of more pressing matters.

What tile and stone restoration techniques do we use?

Our team of experts uses the proper restoration technique for each type, condition, and placement of tile and stone. Depending on those factors, we might use one or many of the following to bring life and beauty back to every tile and stone surface in your building(s):

• Deep cleaning
• Stain removal
• Grinding, including lippage removal and leveling
• Honing
• Buffing
• Polishing
• Crystalizing
• Sealing
• Grout cleaning and color-match regrout

Once we expertly restore your stone and tile surfaces, it’s time to talk about maintenance.

What maintenance schedule is best for tile and stone surfaces in commercial and residential spaces?

Daily cleaning and regular maintenance of tile and stone flooring, walls, and counters are a necessity. This keeps your building safer for your guests and residents and keeps your stonework and tile looking their best. Regular maintenance allows our project management clients to keep their building’s stone surfaces gleaming, day in and out.

We offer residential and commercial maintenance contracts and work with you to ensure that you’re getting the right services for your stone or tile, uniquely determined for each property and budget.

No matter whether you choose a bi-annual, quarterly, or bi-monthly maintenance solution, you’ll receive the most competitive price in NYC and the surrounding area.

How to bring back the luster and shine of tile and stone surfaces

Frequent polishing services

The floors in commercial spaces, especially high-traffic areas like the lobby and other common areas, take a beating from constant foot traffic and demand routine cleaning and polishing. Similarly, stone walls and counters in lobbies, bathrooms, and kitchens also need routine polishing to keep their appearance like new.

Mechanical honing

We hone these natural stone surfaces mechanically using diamond grit to remove scratches and etches. To achieve a mirror-like finish, we increase the grits used. We can also create a semi-gloss or a matte finish to suit the space and client preference.

The lobby and beyond

No matter whether your building’s lobby is in a hotel, a bank, or a residential apartment building, it’s your first chance to impress your guests, customers, and residents. Poorly maintained, cracked, and faded floor tiles in these high-traffic spaces just won’t do. What do you want the tile and stone surfaces in your building’s lobby and throughout your property to reflect?

Let our team of experts handle your property’s tile and stone restoration and maintenance. We understand your needs as a property manager, and we’ll take a load off by doing what we know how to do best.

Countertop services in NYC: Statewide Stone care

Who thinks of building or even renovating, is already faced with many doubts, who better than our specialists to help you? In this article, we are going to give you some tips on how to choose the perfect stone for your kitchen countertop.

There is many options and for all size of budgets, and also pros and cons of each model.

Granite countertop

Granite is the most common stone, the cheapest and consequently, the most used stone.

However, granite is also the one that most absorbs liquids and is prone to stain faster. As we are talking about cooking, think about daily use, liquids, food, it’s good to be careful while choosing.

Corian countertop

If you choose to use this stone you can have the countertop and the sink in the format you want, you can create shapes with it and it’s available in many colors.

Although it is an expensive product, it has advantages over other materials: it does not stain as easily because it is not porous, has no apparent splice, does not scratch easily, does not spread the fire and the chances of scratching or flaking are very small.

Quartz countertop

This stone is industrialized and has uniform appearance, it is composed of 94% quartz and 6% resin, and is up to 11 times more resistant than granite. Its non-porous surface does not allow liquids to be absorbed and its industrialization does not degrade the environment.

Statewide’s Tip

The choice about which stone to use, is relative to your taste and your budget. There is no rules, but you should consider all the information that perhaps, a professional can help you analyze and also explain about the care and maintenance of your new kitchen countertop stone.

Then, choose the most appropriate stone for your situation and what will be the best option for you.

Statewide Stone Care
“EXCELLENCE IN EVERY DETAIL.”

Floor Services in NYC: Statewide Stone care

Each house has a style, each room has its specifications, and each person has their priorities. So the choice of the ideal flooring for every environment of a home is so important.

By making the right choice, everything will be easier, from the warmth that will take the environment, to the ease of cleaning and everyday movement.
Many features need to be considered when choosing the ideal floor, we should think even in the climate of the region where the house is built. When deciding which floor to put in our house, we must take into account some very important points:

• Installation
• Maintenance
• Durability

Installation

When planning a house, the first thing to be thought is the structure, so when this part is ready, it is time to choose the ideal floor for each environment.

This moment needs to be taken very seriously, because any mistakes in this choice can lead to great damage in the future.

Floor installation should be done by skilled labor (do not skimp on that, this saved value can bring a lot of headaches in the future), and should be one of the last things to be done in the house structure.

Maintenance

At the moment we think about the ideal floor, we must consider the functionality of the environment in which it will be installed.

Specially because each environment has a different type of maintenance, just as each type of floor requires different care.

Environments with hardwood floors can’t be cared the same way as environments with tiled floors.

As the types of floors have their different maintenance, when choosing the ideal floor, we must worry about the maintenance as well.

Durability

The durability of the floor is very important, and an ideal one will last for a long time and resisting over the years.

So when choosing your floor, prefer those of durable and sturdy materials, even if they cost a little more, the cost of the benefit is worth it.

By following these Statewide’s tips and by choosing your ideal floor, it is virtually impossible to miss the decor of your home. Look for the best suppliers of products and materials, and let’s get started!

There is probably no other architectural surface as impressive as stone.  It brings a sense of class, strength and beauty to any building, but that is as long as it’s properly maintained. 

However, soil and dirt gets trapped in the pores of your stone and causes the surface to look dirty and dark. This dirty and dark look in your stone is virtually impossible to remove with traditional cleaning processes. 

Also, some other problems can appear over time, specially if your stone isn’t protected.

But how to know if your stone is protected?

Take a spoonful of water: pour it on your stone tile and then wait for 5 minutes.

– Did the water absorb?
– Did the color darken?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, your hard surfaces are vulnerable to staining.

A stone must be resealed when it is allowing liquid to penetrate its sealant. This will cause stains, etches, and even possibly cracks to the stone. Stones that take a heavy beating – especially in high traffic areas, so a proper seal is imperative. To reseal, the area must first be properly cleaned of all dirt and impurities, which could be sealed into the stone if not removed. The sealant then needs to be applied in right amount and type for a proper seal, this may require more than one application.

Consider these important points before deciding on DIY or professional sealing:

• Size of the stone
• Type of stone (softer stones, like marble, may require more sealant)
• State of stone (if the stone sees heavy use, it may need sanding or other repair before sealing)
• Any cracks or etches that may require additional work before sealing
• Longevity of seal (professional work will likely last longer, though cost more upfront)
• Tools for the job (depending on the preparation needed before sealing, you may need professional tools to get the stone in a state to seal)

Luckily, our highly skilled State Wide crew see these kinds of problems and many more, every day. We’ll bring back the beauty and safety of your stone surfaces.

Choosing the right fireplace stone by Statewide Stone care

If you’re in the planning stages of building a fireplace or making over an existing one, you may feel overwhelmed choosing the right materials. On top of deciding what style suits you and your family best, cost, labor and maintenance make it even more confusing.

Options for fireplace materials

After addressing your budget and maintenance capacity, consider these fireplace stone options:

Limestone

If you want an elegant and formal style in your space, limestone offers the perfect choice. Keep it clean and simple, or ornate with intricate carvings. If you’d prefer a more rustic style, choose stacked limestone. It’s a durable but porous, making it prone to scratches and stains. Cleaning limestone can be challenging, and it should always be sealed.

Marble

Place marble on top of fireplace masonry for a bright, sleek look. Marble should always be sealed and is fairly easy to clean. However, it can stain, scratch and chip easily. Repairs lean toward expensive.

Slate

If your style bears more “rustic cottage,” slate might be the perfect option for you. Incorporate it with a stacked stone look, or apply it as slate tile for clean lines. Slate does require regular cleaning and occasional deep cleaning. It stands as one of the most durable materials aside from granite, but will stain.

Granite

Choose granite for a clean, contemporary look. It’s one of the most durable stones, and very easy to keep clean. Granite requires sealing, but should stand up to almost anything.

Travertine

A very versatile stone, travertine can be installed as stacked bricks for a rustic look, laid as tile for a modern look or carved for an Old-World look. Travertine wears very similar to limestone and marble as far as composition, making it extra sensitive to stains and scratches.

Natural stone based fireplace surround area are the trend right now. There is huge variety of design ideas in the market that can be used for your fireplace redo. The stone choice lies with the homeowners as it depends on a couple of factors like budget, style preference and maintenance level of the stone.

Marble, Granite and Quartz’s tips by Statewide Stone care

Simple care can enhance the beauty of natural stones.

Two of the main advantages of using stones in the decoration and coating are its durability and strength. However, they also suffer with time and constant use. Another key to ensuring beauty is the finishing of these stones which, if not properly coated with a good sealer, will have their durability reduced due to the absorption of liquids.

To ensure that marble and granite maintain their color and luster you should be aware of these 9 Statewide’s tips:

1 – Use only a damp cloth. If you need detergents, choose the neutral colorless.

2 – Never use products such as bleach, acid or corrosive products.

3 – In the case of marble, it is still necessary to be very careful with the contact with foods such as coffee, soft drinks, lemon, vinegar, oily products etc., because even being sealed, it is a porous stone, it tend to absorb liquids. Therefore, clean the area immediately with a damp cloth and a neutral detergent.

4 – For polished granite, the greatest care is related to the well-being of the users. Avoid traffic on this floor when it is wet, as it is quite slippery. On the other hand, this stone can be used without fear on kitchen countertops, in addition to being quite hygienic, does not scratch easily.

5 – Use a cutting board for meats, greens, and vegetables. The possibility of scratching the granite stone is low, but not zero.

6 – Use pan rests. Although it is impossible to burn or melt the stone, the sealer is vulnerable to excessive heat and can be damaged. As a consequence, it may lose effectiveness. In addition, because of the different mineral elements that make up a stone, some can react to heat and generate cracks.

7 – Do not sit on the countertops. The stone is naturally hard but not flexible, so much weight at one point can cause cracking or even breaking it.

8 – The cleanser is recommended for weekly use, throughout your entire workbench. It does not damage the sealer and further enhances its protection.

9 – It is recommended to seal the stone annually to properly protect and maintain the finish.

Bonus Tip – Quartz

The quartz surface can not be cleaned with any abrasive cleaner. On the contrary, these products can often scratch and stain the surface finish. To avoid setbacks, use a neutral detergent when servicing or cleaning. But if it is necessary to remove fat and stains, you can use specific products.