My parents are getting a bathroom redone. The contractor says he'll just tile over the existing terrazzo. Is that acceptable? Is it a bad decision? TIA

That's the cheap/ lazy way to do it and asking for problems down the road. How do they intend to address the lower toilet flange with a second layer of thinset and tile on the floor ?

They can but to do it correctly would cost more than ripping it out.

bad idea

It can be done, but why on earth would someone do that? Terrazzo is considered a nicer flooring material than tile unless you're talking high end stuff.

I would find a new contractor. I would steer clear of any tile person who suggests or thinks this is an acceptable way to install tile.

I got my dad to go home from work and talk to them. When he got home the terrazzo was gone. Thanks TexAgs.

It is the large (24"+) terrazzo. I had that and it's poured concrete. The contractor chiseled it to rough it up and then laid wood tile on top. You don't actually "remove" terrazzo.

I could see removing terrazzo tiles but not the poured version of terrazzo. Two different beasts.

Dr.Rumack said:

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I could see removing terrazzo tiles but not the poured version of terrazzo. Two different beasts.

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This. Real terrazzo is poured and there should be no problem laying tile over it.

rlb28 said:

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My parents are getting a bathroom redone. The contractor says he'll just tile over the existing terrazzo. Is that acceptable? Is it a bad decision? TIA

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Is it Epoxy or Concretious Terrazzo? I would assume Concretious but just wondering...that being said, I am currently renovating an old historic building and found that back in the 70's the terrazzo had a layer of tile laid over it and there was no real issue. Sadly, due to budget I cannot restore all the original terrazzo (every floor was terrazzo including the stairs), so that being said you can tile over as long as you account for the added height about the original finished floor which is your thinset and tile thickness. As long as that is accounted for, there is no problem doing that.

Honestly this happens very often in commercial construction and it really is cheaper than if you were to chip away at the top level of concrete that is your terrazzo and then fill it back in with your new flooring.