Someone might call that terrazzo, but that ain’t terrazzo.

For a little used bath, no way do you want to put anything either high maintenance or expensive, which is what you’re looking at. Put that money in the master. Keep it simple and classic. And no marble or other porous delicate choices that guests can easily damage.

It's 100% terrazzo and hand made. Price isn't a concern. I'm more interested in opinions as to how it feels, if it's hard to maintain, and things of that nature.

Is it porous? I thought it wasn't and my samples bead water.

Drew, I see that it is a gorgeous piece and handmade- it is absolutely sculptural, but terrazzo is a specific technique of making a surface. I don't think you could make a proper bathtub out of terrazzo, regardless of budget. Sometimes manufacturers take poetic license with their naming conventions.

At any rate, no matter what it is made of, it is beautiful and would look great with Calacatta marble- though I might go with Statuario marble instead- I think Calacatta has creamier tones and this tub seems more gray.

My one concern is that the tub looks like it is mimicking concrete. I have heard on the kitchen forum that quartz counters that mimic concrete ones have problems, so I would double and triple check the material this is made of and what to expect of it.

Unfortunately Sophie, you are just wrong and are heroically jumping to conclusions based on one photo. No acrylic, no plastics, no cultured marble. Actual terrazzo of marbled and quartz with a cementious binder. Whatever you want to call it, or detract from it, perhaps more attention to detail should be paid to the actual post, wanting opinions and experiences from actual owners.

If price is no concern and you like it and it is infrequent use? Why ask? Have at it. My bet is it doesn't get five soaks a year. I'd guess half your guests won't bother in your home, any more than they do in their own : ) No matter what the tub is. You want it for the sculptural effect? Put it with Thassos marble and really break the bank. WTH!

If price is no object, and you want a stunning effect, then look at hand carved precious gems, like this amethyst tub. 121K.

Or carved quartz. 900K.

Or the relative bargain of the bunch at only 69K, carbon fiber.

Or, the one carved from Caijou, at 1.7M.

I have some pictures of terrazzo tubs cast in one piece with the floor. I will have to look. We had a terrazzo shower base too. I think they just need to be sealed periodically.

Hi Drew, I feel for you! The responses are... well anyways

There is Epoxy terrazzo not only cementitious, If it is epoxy terrazzo I would personally use a nano sealer, and if its cementatious then a larger molecule sealer. They are called impregnators. You should easily find them at your local stone supply stores. If you will use it little I would not worry much about the sealer but then again it is only a 15 min job to reseal it. So doing it yearly will bring you assurance. The only complications I have seen with pure one piece stone tubs thermal shock. When the very hot water hits the cold stone. it caused a fissure. But I have only seen that once in 30 years. But I have a solution for that also.

Here's an old, cast in the floor one: (pre-1960)

Hmmm... I’m not an expert on terrazzo, however, my parents’ had terrazzo floors done in the 1960’s & they looked nothing like the tub shown. I remember what they had was what is described by Sophie, I do remember them saying it was very expensive to have done& labor intensive.

Jan ... regarding your comment about guests’ use of the tub, you’re absolutely right. I have a large tub with a full on ocean view in my home in the guest bath. In all the years I’ve lived here ( 17 ) I can’t think of one time it was ever used. The only time it’s used in my house is when I give our little doggie his bath :)

Here's a sample.

Looks like terrazzo. Cool!

As long as you also have an accessible shower in the bathroom it should be fine. Your guests are going to be getting older and that tub looks really deep (and hard to get into).

I would consider using the terrazzo elsewhere (like the floor) though because it doesn't look like an especially sanitary material. If someone drops a washcloth in there and it's not noticed for a few days... :/

Resin and quartz chips is called quartz in the countertop industry. Interesting how they put the different spin on plastic and rock depending on the intended market they want to market to.

it looks a little different than engineered quartz (isn't that technically terrazzo? Kinda?), but it could just be finished differently. It appears to have more pores and much less like something I'd want to use for water, mildew, and soap scum.

But I bet it's bleachable.

Sophie, Fritztile is considered terrazzo tile, but it is particulate in resin rather than a cementitious base.

http://fritztile.com/fritz-products/tile-gallery/classic-terrazzo-collection/c520515/

What is the style of your home? Do you have other pics of the tub and the bathroom designs? I guess I’m not really drawn to it aesthetically, to be honest.

IMO that bathtub looks cold, hard, and uncomfortable--whatever you want to call the material. The bottom looks so small? like you would have to sit in it with your knees bent and your arms wrapped around them to keep yourself from tipping over. Not inviting at all.

Hi Drew

Beautiful material . As long as you maintain as you would the paint on your car or leather sofas or natural wood floors. The time and attention you put into it will decide the longevity of the product. The beauty of Terrazzo is even if you let it go 10 years plus it is a material that can always be restored. The top photo I provided is a shower base used in commercial truck stops after ten years of zero maintenance and multiple daily use (12000 showers to be precise) . It only took me 6 hours of professional sanding and protection to bring it back as it was originally. The company new nothing about how to maintain them. Now we will go back every 300 uses or 300 showers and reapply a protective finish to keep it refurbished.

I wonder why this expensive tub in a guest bath which IMO needs a really nice shower instead.

Answers to some of your questions:

There is also a separate shower. We have a Spanish home (Saltillo tile, dark wood, talavera, etc). I originally wanted a copper tub, but my wife overruled on that. I'm certainly open to other tubs and materials, but I want the bathtub to stand out. These pictures are of the vanity and some of our hardware.

I own a 1963 condo that had poured terrazzo showers and counters. The terrazo needed to be refinished and both showers cracked almost simultaneously. I had an expert look at it who told me it would be cheaper to tear it out and redo then to refinish and repair, which I did. But that terrazzo was 45 years old...

I think with your other finishes and tile, I would look at a more traditional shape in stone. And, a color that is not so white with all those dark finishes. The last one is solid surface, so smooth, and very very slighly resilient feeling, so softer than natural stone.

http://www.treasuresdeoldmexico.com/stonebathtubs.htm

https://www.aquaticausa.com/products/627722004774-aquatica-coletta-sandstone-freestanding-solid-surface-bathtub

You are Drew of the very excellent stair tiles, right? See if the tubs Palimpsest suggests work with your design. I like the first one a lot. I think they are better substitutes for copper tubs than the one you've picked which feels really modern.

Very unique vanity! I love your bathroom faucet! I really like Palimpsest’s last tub! What do you think of that one?

Fori, yes, that's also my stair project (we've got several going at the moment).

I do like those tubs, however, I need it to be plus or minus 60". Perhaps I should start looking at traditional materials, but with interesting shapes. I could then focus on making the floors and walls a bigger impact. I like these floor tiles and the idea of having stone "wainscoting", but not these wall tiles. Maybe marble panels would work.

If the tub isn't likely to be used, why not put in a big antique copper washbasin? Don't plumb it.

Finding the right tub can be a chore. I spent a lot of time trying to find the right tub. I eventually ordered one from italy.

Would you ever consider a clawfoot tub? I think they are usually around 5’. There are some beatuiful newer ones out.

Also check out devon devon. They are pretty expensive. But I am in love with some of their tubs, especially the Celine and Diva (probably too plain for your home). I had to really hold back from buying one.

http://www.devon-devon.com/en/collections/bathtubs/

I'm a huge fan of Signature Hardware. Because I didn't plan to use my tub more than once or twice a month, I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg for our tub. They have some really excellent tubs at better prices. This one caught my eye for you although I certainly don't consider it inexpensive.

Stone tub

Did you ever select a tub? Would love to see what you chose and how the bathroom looks...

We have decided to go with a more traditional tub and make the tile our standout instead. Currently, the bathroom looks like 4 walls and a concrete floor. The first picture is the tub we are considering, but with the faucet floor-mounted instead of deck-mounted. The second shows several of the tiles. The large 8ish sides design will be on the floor. The mosaic geometric mosaic will be a 'wainscoting' on the wall with the tub and toilet and also a framed accent in the shower. The large tile at the top will be the walls in the shower. Finally, the herringbone will be the shower floor. The bathroom will be finished off with marble baseboard and chair rail. These are all calacatta, so I feel the earthier tones will work well with the dark wood and bronze fixtures. Thoughts anyone?

I like your new choice of tub. it will look very elegant with your other finishes.