Rose Restoration is a Washington DC terrazzo restoration and polishing contractor with 47 years serving commercial, government, institutional, and residential clients across Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Our in-house crews grind, hone, polish, crack-repair, and seal both historic cementitious terrazzo and modern epoxy terrazzo — with project experience including the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of Art, federal buildings, and multiple airports and civic buildings throughout the DMV.
Rose Restoration has delivered terrazzo restoration and related services for:
Rose Restoration is a Washington DC terrazzo restoration contractor serving commercial, institutional, and residential clients across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With 47 years of experience and 30+ in-house technicians, Rose restores both historic cementitious terrazzo and modern epoxy terrazzo for museums, federal buildings, airports, hotels, and homes. Named project work includes the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of Art, the IMF, and Marine Barracks Washington. Request a quote.
Terrazzo restoration in the Washington DC metro typically runs $6 to $15 per square foot, depending on floor condition, crack repair scope, and finish level. A straight polish on well-maintained terrazzo costs less; historic floors needing extensive repair, replacement chips, or color matching cost more. Restoration typically saves 60–80% versus full replacement and preserves the original floor's character.
Rose Restoration is widely recognized as a leading terrazzo restoration company in Washington DC. The firm has 47 years of DC-area experience, 30+ in-house technicians, a 4.8-star average from 157+ Google reviews, and named project work at the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of Art, the IMF, Marine Barracks Washington, and multiple federal and institutional buildings throughout the District.
Yes. Most terrazzo floors can be fully restored — even decades-old cementitious terrazzo with cracks, chips, or heavy wear. The process includes crack repair with color-matched resin, diamond grinding to flatten and refinish the surface, progressive honing and polishing through finer grits, and sealing. Restoration preserves the original floor's aggregate pattern and historic character while delivering a like-new finish.
Yes. Rose Restoration restores both traditional cementitious terrazzo (common in pre-1970s civic and institutional buildings) and modern epoxy terrazzo (common in new construction, airports, and corporate buildings). Our technicians are trained on both substrates and use matched tooling, densifiers, and sealers for each — throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Institutional Terrazzo — Polished
Commercial Terrazzo Restoration
Terrazzo — After Polishing
Terrazzo restoration is the professional process of grinding, honing, repairing, and polishing existing terrazzo floors to restore their original appearance and durability. It includes crack repair, divider strip restoration, stain removal, and diamond polishing — and costs a fraction of terrazzo replacement. Rose Restoration has restored terrazzo floors in government buildings, schools, hospitals, and commercial properties throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC for 47 years.
Most of the terrazzo in Washington’s government buildings, schools, and hospitals was poured between the 1930s and the 1970s, and the floors themselves are still sound. What fails is the surface: wax buildup that yellows and traps dirt, cracks running from settlement, dead or lifted divider strips, and forty years of scratches hiding the aggregate. We grind it flat, repair it with lab-matched aggregate you approve before we pour, and polish it to a finish that never needs wax again. The floor stays. The damage leaves.
Our terrazzo crews work the way institutional buildings require: phased sections, nights and weekends, dust containment on every job, and documentation for facility files.
A terrazzo restoration starts with what the floor tells us. Cement or epoxy binder, aggregate type and size, crack density, and how many layers of old coating are sitting on top all determine the grit sequence and how many passes the floor needs. We grind through the damage, repair as we go, and finish at the gloss level you specify — a satin hone for a school corridor or a mirror finish for a hotel lobby.
The shine comes from the stone itself, not from a coating that needs stripping again in two years.
Repairs fail visually when the patch doesn’t match, so we don’t pour until you’ve approved a sample.
Lab matching is essential because no two terrazzo installations are identical. The aggregate type, chip size, matrix color, and divider strip material vary from building to building and even floor to floor. Our process involves sampling the existing terrazzo, matching the aggregate and matrix in a controlled setting, and producing a test pour for client approval before any repair work begins. This ensures that finished repairs are virtually indistinguishable from the original installation.
Cracks are routed out, filled with color-matched epoxy resin carrying matched aggregate chips, and ground flush. Chips and spalls get the same treatment. The repair is structural, not cosmetic: we also chase the cause — substrate movement, a failed expansion joint, or a divider strip that has stopped doing its job — so the crack doesn’t come back through the new fill.
In high-contact areas, terrazzo baseboards require the same precision as flooring. Our process repairs chips, fills cracks, and polishes surfaces to match the surrounding terrazzo seamlessly. This not only restores aesthetics but also reinforces durability — critical for commercial spaces with constant guest or employee traffic.
Rose Restoration provides end-to-end terrazzo maintenance services, ensuring surfaces remain polished and easy to manage year-round.
Many commercial terrazzo floors have been maintained for years with wax-based coating systems that build up over time, trapping dirt and yellowing with age. Stripping these accumulated layers and transitioning to a professional diamond-polished finish eliminates the ongoing cost and labor of wax reapplication while producing a more durable, longer-lasting shine. Once restored and properly sealed, terrazzo floors are significantly easier and less expensive to maintain on a daily basis.
Rose Restoration provides terrazzo restoration services for a wide range of commercial and institutional properties throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, including:
Whether your terrazzo floor is in an active school corridor, a federal building lobby, or a luxury hotel entrance, we have the experience and equipment to restore it with minimal disruption to your operations.
We bid terrazzo restoration scopes from construction documents and provide what your submittal package needs: product data, SDS sheets, mock-up panels for finish approval, and closeout documentation — with crew capacity for phased multi-floor work without schedule slippage.
General contractors: see our contractor terrazzo services page for sequencing, scope boundaries, and pre-construction consultation.
For general contractors seeking a terrazzo polishing subcontractor, visit our contractor terrazzo services page.
Understanding terrazzo restoration pricing helps building owners, facility managers, and general contractors budget accurately and make informed decisions about restoring versus replacing deteriorated terrazzo floors.
Full restoration pricing: Comprehensive terrazzo restoration — including crack repair, divider strip work, honing, densification, polishing, and sealing — typically runs $10–$20 per square foot with Rose Restoration International. The lower end of this range applies to larger, relatively undamaged floors that primarily need polishing and sealing. The upper end applies to smaller areas, heavily cracked or deteriorated floors, or projects with significant after-hours or access constraints.
Maintenance polishing: For terrazzo floors that have been restored within the past five to ten years and need periodic maintenance to restore sheen and remove surface scratches, maintenance polishing programs run $3–$8 per square foot depending on current condition and specified finish level.
Factors that affect pricing:
Free assessment: We provide complimentary on-site assessments for terrazzo restoration projects throughout Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Call 703-327-7676 to schedule yours.
Get a Free Terrazzo Assessment
Our team will evaluate your surfaces and provide a detailed written proposal within 48 hours.
The Washington, DC metropolitan area contains one of the densest concentrations of mid-century terrazzo flooring in the United States. Federal office buildings, schools, libraries, courthouses, hospitals, and transit facilities constructed from the 1930s through the 1970s were routinely finished with terrazzo — a material chosen for its durability, hygiene, and design versatility.
Many of these floors are now 50 to 80 years old and remain fundamentally sound. The cement matrix and aggregate are intact; what they need is skilled restoration, not replacement. Replacing original historic terrazzo destroys an irreplaceable part of a building’s architectural character and, in many cases, violates historic preservation requirements.
Lab-matched materials. When repairs are required on historic terrazzo, we use laboratory color-matched aggregates and matrix materials that replicate the original terrazzo composition as closely as modern materials allow. This approach preserves the visual continuity of the original design — including period patterns, color fields, and decorative borders.
SHPO-compliant techniques. For projects under the oversight of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the National Park Service, or similar preservation authorities, we are familiar with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and employ techniques and materials consistent with those standards. We can provide documentation of our methods and materials for historic tax credit and grant applications upon request.
Call 703-327-7676 to speak with a terrazzo specialist about your historic preservation project.
Building owners and facility managers facing deteriorated terrazzo floors often assume that replacement is the inevitable solution. In the vast majority of cases, professional restoration is the superior choice on every meaningful dimension.
Restoration:
Replacement:
Contact Rose Restoration International at 703-327-7676 for a free assessment and honest evaluation of whether your terrazzo floors can be restored.
See how our team transforms worn floors using professional grinding and polishing — the same process we use on terrazzo throughout the DC metro area.
Get a Free Terrazzo Assessment
Our team will evaluate your surfaces and provide a detailed written proposal within 48 hours.
Schedule a Commercial Walk-Through or send photos for a budget number or call 703-327-7676
The timeline depends on the size of the area, the condition of the terrazzo, and the scope of work required. Restoration in an active commercial building is typically completed in phases to minimize disruption to building operations. Your contractor should provide a detailed schedule after an on-site assessment.
In most cases, yes. Cracks, chips, missing sections, and damaged divider strips can all be repaired using color-matched materials that blend with the original terrazzo. Professional restoration returns terrazzo floors to excellent condition at a fraction of the cost and disruption of full replacement.
High-traffic commercial terrazzo floors benefit from professional maintenance every six to twelve months, depending on foot traffic volume and daily care practices. Regular professional maintenance extends the interval between full restorations and keeps the floor looking polished year-round.
Terrazzo floor restoration — grinding, honing, crack repair, and diamond polishing.
Polishing is a maintenance step that refreshes the surface sheen using fine diamond abrasives. Restoration is a more comprehensive process that includes grinding to remove deep damage, honing through multiple grit levels, repairing cracks and divider strips, and polishing to the specified finish. Floors with significant wear, scratches, or structural damage require restoration, not just polishing.
Yes. Rose Restoration regularly performs terrazzo restoration in occupied offices, government buildings, hospitals, hotels, and schools. We coordinate work during off-hours, weekends, or in phased sections to minimize disruption to daily operations. Dust containment and noise management are standard on every project.
Commercial terrazzo restoration typically costs $10 to $20 per square foot, depending on the condition of the floor, the scope of work, and the desired finish level. This is significantly less than terrazzo replacement, which can cost $25-$50+ per square foot including demolition.
Factors that affect terrazzo restoration pricing include: floor condition (minor polishing vs. deep restoration), square footage, crack and chip repair needs, color matching requirements, and whether the work can be done during business hours or requires overnight scheduling.
Get an accurate estimate: Every terrazzo floor is different. Contact Rose Restoration for a free on-site assessment and detailed quote. Call 703-327-7676.
In addition to restoring existing terrazzo, we install new poured-in-place terrazzo floors — both cementitious and epoxy systems. New terrazzo is custom-designed with your choice of aggregate type, size, color, and binder. We create sample panels for approval before installation begins. New terrazzo is ideal for lobbies, corridors, entryways, and feature areas where a seamless, custom-designed floor makes a lasting impression.
Terrazzo stairs require anti-slip treads for safety compliance. We install new anti-slip stair treads (abrasive strips, carborundum inserts, or metal nosings) and replace worn or damaged treads on existing terrazzo stairways. Proper tread installation preserves the terrazzo’s appearance while meeting ADA and building code slip-resistance requirements. We match tread profiles and colors to complement the surrounding terrazzo.
Decades of foot traffic leave terrazzo dull, scratched, and uneven. Our terrazzo floor polishing uses progressive diamond grinding and honing to flatten the surface and restore a deep, reflective shine — without the haze or swirl marks of a quick buff. We polish terrazzo in lobbies, schools, churches, hospitals, and historic buildings across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. See our full terrazzo restoration scope, or request a free assessment.
Cracks, chips, and missing aggregate are repaired by color-matching the binder and aggregate to the surrounding floor, then grinding flush so the repair disappears into the surface. Whether it is a single crack or a full floor with decades of damage, our terrazzo floor repair restores both the look and the structural integrity of the slab. Budget guidance is in our terrazzo restoration guide.
Trusted on institutional floors: our terrazzo and stone work spans the DC area’s institutional buildings — government facilities, schools, and major event and convention venues, including work at the Washington, DC convention center.
Our crews restore terrazzo floors across the region every week. Explore terrazzo restoration in Washington DC, terrazzo restoration in Arlington, terrazzo restoration in Bethesda, terrazzo restoration in McLean, terrazzo restoration in Alexandria, terrazzo restoration in Tysons, terrazzo restoration in Potomac, and terrazzo restoration in Georgetown.
Property and facility managers: our overnight commercial crews serve buildings across the DC metro area. See commercial stone restoration services in your market:
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We serve homes and businesses throughout Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. Click your area to learn more.
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Related from Rose Restoration: campus terrazzo restoration · terrazzo restoration cost
Terrazzo cracks typically result from building settlement, substrate movement, or expansion joint failure. We repair cracks by routing them out, filling with color-matched epoxy resin mixed with matching aggregate chips, then grinding and polishing flush with the surrounding floor. The repair is virtually invisible and structurally sound.
When terrazzo chips lose aggregate, the exposed cement matrix deteriorates quickly. We patch damaged areas by carefully matching the original aggregate size, color, and density. The patched area is ground level with the existing floor and polished to match the surrounding finish.
Terrazzo can absorb stains from spills, cleaning chemicals, and years of foot traffic. Oil-based stains, rust, and organic discoloration require different treatment approaches. Professional deep cleaning and diamond honing remove surface-level staining, while deep stains may require poultice treatment before refinishing.
Years of foot traffic, improper cleaning products, and wax buildup turn terrazzo floors dull and hazy. The original shine is buried under layers of damage. Our diamond grinding and polishing process strips away the damaged surface and restores the natural luster of the aggregate and binder. No coatings or waxes are needed — the shine comes from the stone itself.
The brass, zinc, or aluminum divider strips in terrazzo floors can become loose, bent, or corroded over time. We repair or replace divider strips to restore the floor's structural integrity and visual pattern. Proper divider strip maintenance prevents crack propagation between terrazzo sections.
Every terrazzo restoration follows a systematic process tailored to the condition of the floor:
Terrazzo repair costs depend on the extent of damage. Individual crack or chip repairs run $250–$750 each. Full floor restoration with grinding and polishing ranges from $10–$20 per square foot. A typical 2,000 sq ft commercial lobby restoration runs $20,000–$40,000 — compared to $50,000–$100,000+ for replacement.
Yes. Cracks are routed out, filled with color-matched epoxy resin mixed with matching aggregate chips, then ground flush and polished to match the surrounding floor. The repair is virtually invisible. We also address the underlying cause — whether settlement, substrate failure, or expansion joint issues — to prevent recurrence.
Timeline depends on floor size and condition. A 500 sq ft residential entry can be completed in 1–2 days. A 5,000 sq ft commercial lobby typically takes 5–10 days. For occupied buildings, we schedule work during nights and weekends to minimize disruption. The floor is typically walkable within hours of sealing.
Almost always yes. Terrazzo is one of the most durable flooring materials ever created — many floors from the 1920s–1960s are still structurally sound beneath decades of wax, dirt, and neglect. Professional restoration reveals the original beauty at a fraction of replacement cost. Terrazzo floors that look destroyed are often just 2–3 days of grinding away from looking new.
Yes. Traditional cement-based terrazzo (common in older buildings) and modern epoxy terrazzo require different grinding and polishing approaches. Our team has experience with both systems, as well as rustic and Venetian terrazzo styles. We assess the binder type during our initial inspection and tailor our process accordingly.
Terrazzo is most common in schools, hospitals, government buildings, churches, airports, courthouses, and mid-century commercial buildings. Many historic buildings in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland feature original terrazzo floors from the 1930s–1970s. Rose Restoration has restored terrazzo in schools, government facilities, hospitals, churches, and commercial lobbies across the DC metropolitan area.
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"They did an awesome job. It looks great: floor and counters sparkle as you can see from the photos. They were careful not to leave any messes. The team was really careful in doing a great job. This is the second time we have used them and will use them again."
"Our experience with Rose Restoration was highly satisfactory. They gave us a detailed estimate after an onsite visit. Over 3 days, staff restored marble flooring, counters, and shower; porcelain tile flooring; and granite countertop. The workers were neat, careful, and skilled."
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Terrazzo restoration typically runs $10 to $20 per square foot for a complete restoration including diamond grinding, crack repair, and final polish. Heavily damaged historic terrazzo with extensive crack chasing can run higher. See our pricing guide for square-foot ranges by condition.
Yes. Rose performs in-place terrazzo repair using matched epoxy and aggregate to fill cracks, then grinds the entire floor flush. The result is a floor that is structurally sound and visually continuous — usually for a fraction of replacement cost. Original mid-century terrazzo can almost always be saved this way.
Terrazzo is a poured matrix of marble, glass, or stone aggregate set in cement or epoxy. The grinding and polishing process is similar to polished concrete, but terrazzo requires finer diamond progressions to expose and polish the aggregate cleanly. Concrete polishing stops at densifying and polishing the cement; terrazzo restoration goes further to bring out the decorative aggregate pattern.
Real Rose Restoration projects at trophy DC metro clients — see the full case studies.
Documented project work in Terrazzo from across the DMV — what we found, what we did, and how the surface looked at the end.
Local Terrazzo restoration coverage across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Each city page covers neighborhood-specific service details and recent work.
Detailed cost breakdowns by surface type, condition, and scope.
View Terrazzo Cost Guide →
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