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TERRAZZO STEP-BY-STEP
Unleash your creativity with terrazzo and let us bring your vision to life.
get inspiredA pre-established formula based composition is mixed, poured and polished on site, over a previously prepared substrate. It allows for larger seamless areas to be installed, giving it a uniform appearance.
On the other hand, it is a system that also allows you to incorporate custom logos or patterns of any type and scale. It can be applied both indoors and outdoors.
Prefabricated terrazzo elements are manufactured off-site and can be used to complement your floor in formats such as stair treads, wall bases, wall coverings and such on. Other applications might include countertops, sinks, sills, elevator cabs and different architectural finishes.
We can create various shapes using molds, fill it manually with the mixture, and once cured the surfaces are grinded and polished to reveal the chips - just like standard terrazzo - and installed by our specialized team. It can be applied both indoors and outdoors.
Terrazzo combines the organic texture of natural aggregates with the plain colour of the base. Its customisation starts from the design concept by defining a colour palette and general aesthetics. From there, three core components should be decided: the background, the aggregates and the divider strips.
It truly offers an unlimited colour palette and at MC&C we provide design consultation tailored to each project.
When choosing terrazzo, aside from deciding on the obvious components such as the colours, it is important to consider the difference between the two most common binding agents used for terrazzo – cement and resin.
This will set the overall tone for whatever design you are pursuing.
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The other main component of terrazzo is the stone chips or aggregates.
Briefly, there are natural aggregates – such as marble, quartz or granite; exotic aggregates – such as mother-of-pearl, pebbles and shells; and other recycled components – such as glass, mirror chips, porcelain or plastic chips.
Besides the typology of aggregates, its size gradation and percentages are also part of the fully customizable terrazzo mix design. There is the Micro Terrazzo, Standard Terrazzo, Venetian Terrazzo and Palladian Terrazzo.
Divider strips are used for both performance and design reasons.
The primarily use is to maintain the integrity of the terrazzo over the substrate, in order to overcome any potential cracking caused by the base below it. In terrazzo systems, the dividers not located over existing joints are strictly decorative. Other than the great control over cracking, dividers also allow to separate contrasting colours or textures, create patterns or as transitional borders.
At MC&C we work with our clients throughout the project, from selecting the right material to providing all the technical solutions to meet their expectations, and on through installation. It is part of our values to use terrazzo as a versatile and unique cladding, but most of all providing excellent levels of performance.
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In order to achieve the best results, the preparation of the base to receive the mixture is as important as the installation itself. Terrazzo floors have ease of maintenance and upon completion, it should be cleaned by following the instructions given, which will provide the long-term performance and aesthetic characteristics intended.
LEARN MORE
At MC&C we work with our clients throughout the project, from selecting the right material to providing all the technical solutions to meet their expectations, and on through installation. It is part of our values to use terrazzo as a versatile and unique cladding, but most of all providing excellent levels of performance.
This means that any definitions and the scope of the project conditions should all be addressed, previous to installation. Each of the components of a terrazzo system and its criteria need to be called out, not only the sample must be decided, but also the surface’s finishing (depending on the clients’ desire VS. specified use), joints and divider strips layouts or transition details to dissimilar finishes.
In addition, if any precast terrazzo elements are part of the project, the colours, shapes, dimensions and finishes will all need to be foreseen. Other technical accessories may be required based on the project needs, including primers, sealers, moisture-mitigation products or reinforcement membranes.
Our company ensures the project monitoring and works to support the clients’ project goals by advising on which products and services best suit its needs.
In order to achieve the best results, the preparation of the base to receive the mixture is as important as the installation itself.
Terrazzo is a veneer system and it will react to whatever the substrate does and follow its contour. The surface must be clean and flat, and any repairs required shall be corrected in accordance to the overall performance requirements. After the preparation, our team will proceed with the installation, starting from place the divider strips or joints first.
According to the sample and its precise formula, the mixture is prepared on site and hand trowelled to the substrate. After being mechanically rolled (to compress the mix and eliminate air bubbles), the terrazzo is left to cure. Then the installers will grind and grout to a smooth and seamless finish, and conclude by polishing and sealing to reveal the terrazzo design. In case there is prefabricated elements to install, our team will also prepare the surface and install it using a specified bonding agent.
Terrazzo floors have ease of maintenance and upon completion, it should be cleaned by following the instructions given, which will provide the long-term performance and aesthetic characteristics intended.
