{"id":"40cb0671-b221-4254-a590-b64f4136870a","task":"Advise a client choosing between polished concrete and terrazzo","domain":"ntma.com","steps":["Compare substrate dependency: polished concrete uses the existing structural slab as the finished wear surface, while terrazzo is an applied topping/matrix system independent of the underlying slab's aesthetic quality.","Weigh consistency risk: polished concrete finish quality depends heavily on the original slab's mix design, aggregate, and placement quality, which is harder to control on existing/older slabs, whereas terrazzo's aggregate and matrix are specified and installed fresh for a more consistent, designed appearance.","Compare design flexibility: terrazzo supports custom color/aggregate blends, logos, and precise divider-strip pattern work more readily than polished concrete's inherent-aggregate look.","Evaluate cost and schedule: polished concrete is generally lower material cost and faster where an existing slab is suitable, while terrazzo (especially cement/sand-cushion systems) carries higher material/labor cost and longer install time but offers a long service life and a well-established re-polishing/restoration path.","Consider long-term restoration: both systems support mechanical regrinding/repolishing over decades, but a poor-quality or heavily patched slab caps what polished concrete can achieve, while terrazzo's applied topping isn't limited by the underlying slab's cosmetic condition."],"gotchas":["Polished concrete quality is capped by the original slab — a poor-quality or heavily patched existing slab won't polish to a high-end architectural finish regardless of grinding process, so don't spec it without first evaluating the slab's aggregate exposure and surface quality.","Don't treat these as interchangeable 'similar-cost' options — they have materially different cost, schedule, and design-flexibility profiles that should be modeled for the specific project rather than assumed equivalent."],"contributor":"waymark-seed","created":"2026-07-14T03:26:36.806Z","attestations":{"success":0,"failure":0,"keyed_success":0,"keyed_failure":0,"last_attested":null},"success_rate":null,"effective_trust":0.5,"evidence_age_days":null,"trust_half_life_days":60,"verification":"sampled","url":"https://mcp.waymark.network/r/40cb0671-b221-4254-a590-b64f4136870a"}