As South Africa accelerates its transition to low-carbon construction, flooring has emerged as a prime opportunity to deliver measurable sustainability wins. 

Surfaces cover the biggest expanse in any interior. Their embodied carbon, maintenance requirements and lifespan can drastically influence a building’s environmental credentials. 

Union Tiles offers a suite of solutions, rooted in terrazzo, natural stone and advanced production processes, that help designers meet Green Star SA and EDGE targets without sacrificing aesthetics or durability. 

Heritage material, circular future  

Terrazzo is fashioned from marble or granite off-cuts, bound in cement or epoxy, diverting quarry waste into a long-lasting composite. 

Its extreme compressive strength means terrazzo installations routinely exceed 50 years of service. This reduces the replacement cycles and landfill loads associated with softer floor finishes.  

Customisable pigment and aggregate blends also let specifiers echo brand palettes while maintaining a low environmental footprint. 

The classic styling of terrazzo flooring offers a low environmental footprint.

Longevity with character 

Natural stones such as granite, marble and slate have graced centuries-old buildings precisely because they outlive trends and traffic.  

When responsibly quarried and sealed, stone requires minimal chemical cleaning and remains re-polishable, extending its lifecycle value. Union Tiles’ sourcing policy favours blocks with transparent supply chains, reducing hidden ecological and social costs. 

Renovate, don’t replace 

Demolishing a worn but structurally sound terrazzo or stone floor undermines any sustainability pledge. Rejuvenating the floor is a more sustainable option. 

Union Tiles’ Floor Rejuvenation programme employs precision grinding, honing and resealing to restore existing surfaces to showroom quality. 

Clients have reported up to 70% cost savings and near-zero waste compared to total replacement. These benefits are welcomed in budget-sensitive refurbishments of civic halls, corporate lobbies and heritage schools. 

Rejuvenating existing terrazzo and natural stone flooring delivers up to 70% cost savings, versus new flooring.

Whether reviving a century-old corridor or specifying sleek new office floors, Union Tiles equips project teams with materials that balance beauty, resilience and responsible resource use.  

Sustainable flooring anchors green design, without sacrificing aesthetics or durability. 

For more information, contact Union Tiles: 

Tel: +27 011 663 2000  

Email: info@uniontiles.co.za 

Website: www.uniontiles.co.za