What is Terrazzo?
Derived from the Italian “Terrace” or “Terrazza” and by definition over the centuries: “A form of mosaic flooring made by embedding small pieces of marble in mortar and polishing.”
Today, terrazzo is a composite material consisting of randomized marble, quartz, granite, onyx, brass, zinc, pearl, colored glass or other suitable chips that is then mixed with a binder such as portland cement, modified portland cement, *chemical resinous matrix or any combination. Typically used as a finish for floors, stairs or walls, terrazzo can be poured in place or precast. After the terrazzo is cured it is ground and polished to a smooth surface or otherwise finished to produce a uniformly textured surface.
The following are the generally accepted types of terrazzo which meet the above definition:
Standard Terrazzo: Most common type of Terrazzo using relatively small chip sizes.
(See Chip Size Chart)
Venetian Terrazzo: Terrazzo in which larger chips are used.
(See Chip Size Chart)
Palladiana: Utilization of thin, random fractured slabs of marble, sometimes with Terrazzo joints between each slab.
Structural Terrazzo: Terrazzo Contractor places 4 inches of 4,000 psi concrete plus cementitious Terrazzo topping.
Rustic Terrazzo: A uniformly textured form of Terrazzo in which the matrix is depressed to expose the chips. In this variation, in lieu of grinding and polishing, the surface is washed with water or otherwise treated to expose the chips. Quartz, quartzite and river bed aggregates can also be used.
Mosaic Terrazzo: Is an artistic finish composed of small hand cut pieces of smalti, glass or marble called tessarae. The tessarae are mounted on paper by hand to form mosaic sheets. These sheets of mosaic are then set in mortar on the job site to create beautiful patterns, designs, and murals.
* - Chemical Resinous Matrices: A Terrazzo system which is applied in a thin cross-section where smaller aggregate chip sizes are used. The matrix is composed of resinous or chemical compounds, or in some cases resinous additives are used in conjunction with Portland cement. These highly resistant matrices are used in environments which are often exposed to acids, alkalis and other cuastic/harmful materials.
In this very competitive world, TERCON SYSTEMS understands that downtime costs our clients money. We have the technology and products that allow us to give our customers an edge by keeping their operations running.
Our Terrazzo Division offers the following services for your terrazzo floors:
Terrazzo Restoration
Terrazzo Grinding, Polishing and Vitrification
Terrazzo Sealing
Terrazzo Maintenance and Care
Terrazzo Cleaning
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