Terrazzo is actually a building material which is one-of-a-kind. Nowadays, it’s usually utilized in multiple applications because of its durability, design, & low maintenance together. However, installing terrazzo is quite a hard task and isn’t any walk in the park. Typically when adding terrazzo to any type of residential or commercial project, a professional installation is recommended. In this article Param Designs provides a general installation guide to assist our audience understand each step behind the process.
MOISTURE TESTING
Installers must focus on preparing the substrate before the pouring of terrazzo. In addition, on all slabs receiving epoxy terrazzo, the installers really need to conduct a moisture vapor transmission test. This is often to make sure that every slab is in accordance with readings of three pounds per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours.
Installers can continue to other areas of the concrete preparation stage, once the moisture levels are acceptable.
CONCRETE PREPARATION
The proper level of concrete tolerance needs to be checked by an installer, before pouring the terrazzo. The installers can open up the concrete for adhesion by shot blasting or grinding the surface, once the concrete is fully compliant.
Next, installers vacuum clean the concrete floor and depending on the nature of the concrete floor, an installer will do the given below actions:
1) 1st step is to apply a moisture mitigation barrier if required based off probe readings.
2) Then, completely inspect the ground for any sort of cracks and apply a versatile membrane so as to stop the formation of substrate cracks throughout the terrazzo floor’s lifecycle.
3) In the end, the installers will make sure the surface is at level tolerance and then to make a uniformly even surface they’ll apply a fill epoxy.
FLOOR LAYOUT
The installers will place divider strips across the floor, which include saw cuts as well as expansion areas in order to develop a floor layout. These divider strips are fastened fully in place. When placing divider strips so as to make a floor layout, the thing to absolutely remember is that these divider strips help to control expansion joints but also indicate color transitions in a terrazzo floor. Some terrazzo projects even include the use of over 20 epoxy resin colors and thus, divider strips are a key part of the installation procedure.
Aluminum, zinc, and brass are common sorts of metals used for divider strips.
INSTALLING EPOXY TERRAZZO
An installer can begin mixing together the ingredients which can make up the terrazzo floor, with the concrete preparation & floor layout stages completely out of the way. Epoxy terrazzo comes in a very 5:1 ratio, meaning an installer will combine a part A epoxy resin with a part B hardener and mix thoroughly inside a mixer.
Fill power and specified aggregates are added to the combination.
It is best to have skilled experts, especially those who can easily mix together these components. Epoxy resins harden fast and will create quite the clean up for first-time installers.
Each and every batch of terrazzo mix is poured onto the surface in designated spots, based on the desired color of the terrazzo design. In order to even the surface at 3/8″ thickness, the installers use a trowel. They’ll easily use an electric power trowel after hand troweling 100 square feet of the surface. Until the terrazzo is enclosed within the divider strip for the desired color, this particular process continues.
Grinding Terrazzo
The surface will look really rough, when the terrazzo is poured in place. The rocks of Swiss ball transition into a flat smooth surface with the grinding stage of the terrazzo flooring process. An installer will determine which grit diamond to attach to the grinding machine, depending on the hardness of the aggregate.
An installer will move an electrical floor grinder slowly back & forth across the surface, beginning within the area where the terrazzo has been cured the longest. The installer will re-examine the area several times, moving the machine from side to side. Edge grinders are utilized in areas where the electrical grinder is unreachable. This includes areas like the walls.
Grouting of Ground Floor
The installer will clean the floor with water & auto scrubber, before the grouting process. Before the grouting process begins the floor needs to be completely dry. During this particular process, an installer will fully inspect for any pinhole and voids left on the whole terrazzo floor after the grinding process.
In cases where pinholes are visible, an installer will mix the suitable epoxy color in small amounts. This is often applied over the pinholes using a flat straight edge trowel. An installer must cover the pinholes for any type of selected color, before moving onto the polishing stage.
Polishing Terrazzo Floor
Polishing a terrazzo floor is performed wet. During this particular stage, an installer will re-examine the floor in the same ways they went over the surface within the grinding stage. This further allows the floors to actually shine afterward. The floor will have more shine the higher the grit is.
Sealing the Terrazzo Floor
The final or end stage involves cleaning & sealing the terrazzo surface. The floor is completely cleaned with neutral soap, fresh water, and an electrical scrubber & also all the polishing slurry is vacuumed. The floor is totally cleaned again and left to dry before a sealer is applied.
Sealers are applied in order to provide the surface full protection from any sort of foreign objects over the lifecycle of the flooring surface. Normally 2 coats are applied in general. The very 1st coat is applied and allowed time to dry before the second coat is applied.
The terrazzo installation is complete, once the terrazzo floor is dried.
Epoxy terrazzo can easily be installed over majority of clean & properly prepared concrete slabs. Nowadays, it can be clearly seen in schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, and multiple other commercial applications.