How to Make a Terrazzo Shower Floor

Measure the shower floor with the tape measure. Compare the measurements with the size of terrazzo tiles you plan to install so you know how many to purchase. Pay special attention to the placement of the shower drain.

Cut the edge tiles using a diamond-edge wet saw, which you can rent from a home improvement store. Cut the shape of the drain out of the tiles you will lay in that area.

Mark the center of the shower floor with a chalk line. To do this, find the center of two opposite walls in the shower. Use the center points as a reference and snap the chalk line across the length of the shower floor. Repeat this process on the other two walls so you end up with a chalk line in the form of a cross on the floor. Make sure the intersecting lines are square with a carpenter’s square.

Dry-fit the terrazzo tiles. Place the tiles on the shower floor to make sure they all fit in place well. Adjust the size of the tiles if necessary.

Spread the waterproof tile adhesive in the center of the shower floor, starting in one of the quadrants marked by the chalk line. Use the notched end of a trowel to comb the adhesive into wavy lines across the floor. Follow the manufacturer’s directions about letting the adhesive sit for a few minutes so it gets tacky.

Lay down the first row of terrazzo tiles, starting in the middle of the floor, following the chalk line you marked. As you lay the tiles, butt them together so there are no joints.

Continue laying the tiles, starting from the center of the floor. First, work your way toward the back shower wall. Then work your way toward the opening of the shower or its door. Keep using the level to make sure the tiles lie flat. Allow the adhesive to cure for at least 12 hours.

Apply grout between the tiles. Spread the grout with the trowel so it enters the seams between the tiles.

Wipe the excess grout off the tiles with a moist sponge. Rinse the sponge and wring it well between wipes. Allow the grout to cure.

Apply a waterproof sealer over the terrazzo, following the manufacturer’s directions. The best sealer is one that is appropriate for stone floors.

Cover the shower floor with a no-slip tile treatment, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Without this treatment, the terrazzo floor will be slippery, especially when wet.