Terrazo is a special type of concrete flooring containing marble chips as aggregates. Any designed colour and designs can be obtained by using marble chips of different shades and colour cement.
Terrazo mix of 1: 2 or 1: 3 (1 cement to 2–3 marble chips) is used depending on the size of marble chips. Terrazo finish is of 10 mm thick. The terrazo finish is laid over the concrete base course (as explained in concrete flooring) by two methods.
- The cement concrete base is covered uniformly by a 6 mm thick sand cushion and a tar paper is placed on this. Over this paper a layer of rich mortar (1 : 3) about 30 mm is placed uniformly.
- A thin coat of cement is spread over the wet concrete base. This layer is cleaned and a layer of cement mortar 12 mm thick is spread evenly over it. When the mortar bed has hardened the terrazo mix (1 cement: 3 marble chips) of 6 and 12 mm is laid after adding water and making workable mix.
After curing for several days, the surface is polished by means of grinding machine fitted with carborundum grinding stone disc. During grinding the surface is kept wet and small holes or pores are filled with a suitable cement paste matching the surface configuration. The surface is then washed with a weak solution of soft soap in warm water. Such a finished surface gives a pleasing appearance and clean environment.
This type of floor is used in public buildings like banks, hotels, offices, etc., because of its decorative appearance and excellent wear-resisting properties.
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