Embark on a comprehensive journey into the realm of terrazzo concrete with our in-depth guide. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of cement terrazzo, answering 48 essential questions to help you gain a thorough understanding of this remarkable material. From its composition and manufacturing process to its applications and maintenance, get ready to unravel the secrets of terrazzo concrete and discover its incredible versatility and timeless appeal.
Q1: Is Terrazzo Concrete?
Terrazzo is not concrete in its traditional form. While concrete is primarily composed of cement, sand, and water, terrazzo combines a binder material, such as resin or cement, with aggregates like marble chips, granite chips, or glass chips. The resulting mixture is then polished to create a smooth, visually appealing surface that is distinct from conventional concrete finishes.
Q2: What is Terrazzo Concrete and how to make terrazzo concrete?
Terrazzo concrete is made by mixing crushed stone, glass, quartz, and other materials with cement, and then processed to slabs using specialized equipment through vacuum pressing and high-frequency vibration. The material formulation does not contain organic adhesives and is also called inorganic terrazzo. Which contrasted with it is called organic terrazzo.
Organic terrazzo also named as resin terrazzo, is generally made of organic resin as a binder, combined with stone crushed stones. Currently, organic terrazzo on the market generally uses unsaturated polyester resin as the main binder material, only a small amount is epoxy resin terrazzo.
Q3: How's Terrazzo Concrete vs Terrazzo Resin?
Each type of terrazzo has its own pros and cons, but in general, the performance of cement terrazzo is obviously better than that of resin terrazzo.
Pros of Terrazzo Concrete
Can match the lifespan of the building.
Cons of Terrazzo Concrete
Pros of Resin Terrazzo
Cons of Resin Terrazzo
Q4: Is today's terrazzo new or different and is terrazzo still trendy 2023?
Terrazzo had many varieties since 16th century, making it a traditional old product. Early terrazzo was mainly cast on-site, which had many quality issues such as excessive voids and susceptibility to cracking. Today’s terrazzo has undergone technological advancements, production processes using vacuum, high-frequency vibration, and high-pressure molding, precast in products with quality that can meet the standards of high-strength concrete and comparable aesthetics to natural stone. Due to its high performance and versatility, it’s still very trendy in 2023’s building and decorating industry.
Q5: Comparing with cast si-tu terrazzo, what are the advantages of precast terrazzo?
Si-tu terrazzo provides a seamless and aesthetically pleasing large-scale pouring on-site, however, precast terrazzo has its incomparable advantages.
Pros of Precast Terrazzo
- Fast production speed
- Better quality control in massive production
- High strength and less prone to cracking
- High density with no pores on the surface
- Can create various façade effects and custom shapes
Q6: Where Can Terrazzo Concrete Be Used?
Concrete collaborative terrazzo is a highly durable material suitable for flooring and wall cladding in airports, subway stations, schools, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels, and residential spaces. It can also be processed into various shapes for indoor and outdoor use.
Terrazzo Station
Terrazzo Restaurant
Q7: Can Cement Terrazzo Be Used Outdoors? Why?
Yes, cement terrazzo can be used outdoors. Concrete terrazzo is produced using natural stone aggregates and cement, which grants it exceptional durability and resilience against various weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, wind, and rain. To ensure optimal performance and aesthetic longevity when used outside, it is advisable to apply appropriate waterproofing treatments to the exterior terrazzo.
Terrazzo Outdoor Wall Cladding
q8: What Is The Lifespan Of Outdoor Terrazzo?
With adequate protection and maintenance, the lifespan of outdoor concrete terrazzo can be equivalent to the lifespan of the building itself.
Q9: How to Install Concrete Terrazzo Walls?
There’re 3 ways to install concrete terrazzo walls:
Dry Hanging
This method is similar to the traditional dry hanging process used for marble and granite installation
Point Fixing
If the surface for installation is made of wood or metal, point fixing can be achieved using dry hanging adhesive, such as epoxy resin
Wet Installation
In this approach, tile adhesive or marble adhesive is used as the bonding material applied to the back of the terrazzo. For larger terrazzo pieces, a higher-grade adhesive may be necessary
Q10: What Is The Hardness Of Terrazzo Concrete?
Typically, traditional concrete terrazzo exhibits a hardness ranging from 4 to 5 on the Mohs scale. However, by adjusting the composition to incorporate quartz-based materials, the hardness of the terrazzo can be significantly increased, reaching up to 7 on the Mohs scale.
Q11: What Is The Density Of Concrete Terrazzo?
By meticulously grading fine aggregates and employing vacuum pressing alongside high-frequency vibration, the density of inorganic concrete terrazzo can be achieved at 2.5 or higher.
Q12: Can Inorganic Terrazzo Products Be Customized?
Yes, inorganic terrazzo products can be customized according to specific requirements. Whether it’s the color, pattern, size, or shape, manufacturers of inorganic terrazzo offer customization options to meet diverse design preferences. This allows customers to create unique and personalized terrazzo products that align with their aesthetic vision and project requirements.
Q13: What Is The Size Of Inorganic Terrazzo Slabs?
It varies from different manufacturers. Most of the Chinese Terrazzo manufacturers offer terrazzo slabs in the size of 2400x1600mm or 2700x1800mm.
Q14: What Thickness Do You Recommend For Terrazzo Floors And Walls?
For floors, it is recommended to have a thickness of 20mm or more, while for walls, a thickness of 25mm or more is recommended.
q15: Is it necessary to apply protective (waterproof and stain-resistant) treatment to inorganic terrazzo products before use?
Yes, it’s suggested to apply sealant to terrazzo products before using. For dry-hanging wall installation, it is recommended to apply six-sided protection, and for wet adhesive floor installation, it is recommended to apply five-sided protection (excluding the adhesive side to avoid affecting adhesion).
q16: How to choose sealant for different terrazzo products?
It’s suggested to choose different sealant according to the application of terrazzo:
It is advisable to apply waterproof and stain-proof sealant, a waterproof agent that contains organic fluorine is workable.
It is recommended to apply waterproof sealant and you can choose silicone waterproofing agent.
No waterproof treatment or apply silicone waterproofing agent.
You can choose silicone waterproofing agent, 5 sides sealed.
Q17: Can inorganic concrete terrazzo products be processed into customized shapes? What decorative effects and shapes can be achieved through deep processing?
Yes, Inorganic terrazzo can be processed into customized shapes, such as carved Roman column capitals, curved columns, various lines, lychee surface, leather texture, and brushed surface, to achieve multiple decorative effects.
Grooved Terrazzo Wall
Q18: What is the recommended thickness for outdoor flooring using inorganic terrazzo? Can it withstand small cars or fire trucks?
For outdoor paving, it is recommended to have a thickness of 30mm or more. It can withstand small cars, and for fire truck access lanes, a thickness of 100mm or more is recommended.
Q19: Is it necessary to perform crystallization treatment on inorganic terrazzo products after installation on the floor?
Depending on customer requirements, seamless crystallization treatment can provide better results.
Q20: What adhesive materials should be used for installing inorganic terrazzo products on the floor?
The adhesive materials can include ceramic tile adhesive, interface agent with cement, and marble adhesive.
Q21: What are the different installation methods for inorganic terrazzo products on the floor?
There are two installation methods: hard-bottom thin-set method and soft-bottom method.
Q22: When installing inorganic terrazzo products on a wooden wall, what is the recommended method? What are the precautions?
It is recommended to use epoxy dry-hanging adhesive, evenly applied on the back of the panel and the wooden wall, ensuring a tight bond between the panel and the wood. Precautions include ensuring the wood surface is dry, free from dust, oil stains, or other pollutants that may affect adhesion. The wood surface should be solid and structurally sound. The bonding surface of the panel should not be damp or contaminated with dust, oil stains, or other dirt.
Q23: How much gap should be left for the joints when installing inorganic terrazzo products on the floor? Is it necessary to leave expansion joints?
It is recommended to leave a 1mm joint, and for every 10 meters, a 3mm expansion joint should be left, which can be filled with flexible sealant.
Q24: How should the joints be treated after installing inorganic terrazzo products on the floor? What material should be used to fill them?
The joints can be filled with flexible inorganic grout or high-quality epoxy or marble adhesive.
Q25: What is the maximum size limit for installing inorganic terrazzo products on the floor?
Considering weight and ease of installation, it is recommended to keep the dimensions within 1200*1200 specifications. For larger dimensions, precise installation techniques and appropriate auxiliary materials are required.
Q26: Can damaged inorganic terrazzo products be repaired? How to repair them?
In the event of breakage or chipping of the panels during handling, installation, or use, epoxy adhesive or marble adhesive can be used with added color matching the inorganic stone. The broken pieces can be reattached using the adhesive.
Q27: Will inorganic terrazzo products release alkali after installation on the floor?
Inorganic terrazzo that meets quality standards will not release alkali after use.
Q28: What is the recommended thickness of inorganic terrazzo panels for indoor flooring?
A thickness of 20mm or more is recommended.
Q29: Will terrazzo concrete products fade over time?
Terrazzo concrete uses natural oxide pigments, which provide stable and weather-resistant colors, making it resistant to fading.
Q30: What is the maximum height for outdoor dry-hanging installation of terrazzo concrete walls?
It is recommended to stay within 6 meters in height. For installation at greater heights, specialized materials for exterior walls need to be customized.
Q31: Are terrazzo concrete products frost-resistant? Can they be used outdoors in northern regions during winter?
Terrazzo has excellent weather resistance. With appropriate waterproofing treatment, it can have a longer lifespan when used outdoors.
Q32: Can terrazzo concrete be installed on top of underfloor heating systems?
Yes, terrazzo concrete can be installed on top of underfloor heating systems. Its low thermal expansion coefficient ensures that it can withstand the temperature changes without issues.
Q33: After polishing, will the internal color of terrazzo concrete be consistent with the external color?
Terrazzo is a homogeneous material, so the internal structure and surface color of the panels are consistent.
Q34: Is terrazzo concrete fire-resistant?
Yes, terrazzo concrete has a Class A anti-fire rating.