Age and construction era are the biggest clue — homes built roughly from the 1940s through the early 1970s in Miami-Dade and Broward very often have it. A small test cut in an inconspicuous area (like a closet) is usually enough to confirm without committing to opening up the whole floor.

In most cases where the original terrazzo is intact and in reasonable condition, yes — restoration through grinding, polishing, and sealing is typically far more cost-effective than demolition and replacement, since you're not paying to remove a structural material and haul it off.

Those are divider strips, usually brass or zinc, and they're original to the terrazzo — their job is to control where the material cracks, directing stress to the strip joint instead of through the middle of a panel. They're a functional design feature, not a defect.

Most cracks and chips can be repaired with a matched cementitious patch mix that cures compatibly with the original terrazzo and blends in once ground and polished. Full replacement is rarely necessary unless the underlying slab itself has significant structural failure.

Cement terrazzo (what's likely already in your home) is thicker, more heat- and impact-tolerant, and cures over about 28 days. Epoxy terrazzo, used mostly for new installations today, cures in about a day, offers more vibrant and consistent color, and is thinner and lighter, but generally handles heavy impact less well.

It needs periodic resealing — how often depends on traffic and how the floor is maintained, but it's not a one-time application. A penetrating sealer maintenance schedule is a normal part of terrazzo ownership, the same way natural stone needs upkeep.

Yes — aggregate size, color blend, and finish level can all be matched closely to an existing original floor when extending terrazzo into a renovated or added space, though matching decades-old aggregate exactly can take some sourcing work.

It depends on square footage and condition, but grinding, polishing, and sealing a typical home usually runs several days to a week or more once any carpet or existing flooring on top is removed and the terrazzo's condition is assessed.