The
most unique service provided by National is installing
the ancient flooring system of terrazzo. Best
suited for high-traffic public areas such as airports,
office buildings and high schools, terrazzo is
a flooring system that consists of marble or glass
aggregate within a cement or epoxy matrix that
is polished to reveal a colorful and decoratively
patterned floor.
What is Terrazzo?
In general, terrazzo is a mixture of marble chips
and colored cement or epoxy that is poured into
an area and given time to cure. Once the terrazzo
has hardened, it is ground down to expose the
interior of the marble chips among the colored
matrix.
There are several different terrazzo systems
that vary according to
their matrices, aggregate, substructure, appearance
and texture. Depending on the
existing floor, owner preferences or architectural
design, there are many suitable options
available that will yield a beautiful flooring
system.
How is Terrazzo installed?
The process of installing a terrazzo floor begins
by laying out strip that is to separate the different
colors and patterns of the terrazzo floor. Zinc,
brass, plastic or aluminum strip is installed
into the sand and cement underbed, or glued directly
onto the concrete slab, following the artist's
or architect's design.
The cement or epoxy mixture is then carefully
poured between the strips, following the architectural
plans. Different colors are poured at different
times until the floor is completely covered with
the mixture. The mixture is given time to cure
and harden.
The finishing process involves grinding the top
layer of the surface with a machine and filling
in the air pockets with grout. Afterwords, a polishing
machine buffs the floor to a matte finish and
a penetrating sealer is immediately applied in
order to close the pores in the surface of the
floor.
Regular floor maintenance will result in a highly
polished and glossy appearance.
What does terrazzo consist
of?
In addition to marble chips, other materials
may be used to complement the terrazzo floor.
Glass, metals or mother-of-pearl may be used to
create an attractive and unique floor surface.
Different sized chips may be used together to
create an interesting look.
These aggregates are then mixed into a matrix
that may consist of either portland cement,
epoxy resin, or some other bonding agent.
For more information about terrazzo floors, please
click this link to see our maintenance
page or you can contact us using our contact
page.
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