What is Terrazzo?

Terrazzo is an Italian word meaning in German probably nothing less than "Flooring". A look at Italian houses shows that make flooring stones placed together. Caused by the choice of colors or patterns specific forms, as we speak of mosaic are the same or different colors mixed seemingly wahrlos, we speak in our contemporary usage of a terrazzo.
The terrazzo is probably one of the oldest screeds. According to its definition, a "terrazzo", a locally produced and seamless, cement-based floor with machined surface. So Terrazzo be made in two layers: The bottom layer of terrazzo concrete is lower, called the upper layer Terrazzovorsatz.

Terrazzo is an artificial mineral material for flooring. It consists of a binder such as quick lime or cement and aggregates from rock - or crushed brick. It is now generally used as a binder for such soils although predominantly white cement and Portland cement. This has the advantage that the warm, natural color of the grain supplement Gesteines come shining in appearance. The traditional terrazzo floor is cast as a so-called Ortsterrazzo spot in the building and ground. By grinding the grains of the aggregates are visible and determine the appearance of the floor.
In addition, use of strong acts - with proper preparation - like a fine polish. One can say that the terrazzo wins by walking in beauty and Gebrauchbarkeit. However, this requires certain skills in the production, which will be fully explained below:

Technical DetailsTerrazzo is mentioned in DIN 18353 for many years and is structurally a typical screed. He also complies fully with the DIN 13318th The binder is a gray or white Portland cement. A colored pigment is also possible. In the choice of the grindability surcharges plays a decisive role. The mortar (front layer) is fresh-in-fresh applied to a substrate layer (CT-C35-F5).

Before after adequate setting of the lower concrete - often already on the following day - can be introduced to the terrazzo base concrete must be carefully prepared to ensure a frictional bond two layers: a pasty cement slurry (cement-sand mixture 1:1) is in a thin has returned layer must not dry until the introduction of Terrazzomischung. At the field edges where the stresses are greatest, must be used very carefully.

Mixing the terrazzo occurs mostly in small paddle mixers on site and transported in buckets to the so-called Terrazzieri.

The surfaces are sandable with profiles (usually brass or aluminum), divided, which are pressed into the lower layer and cut them into smaller areas in order to keep the Schindspannungen low. The rails are 30mm high usually. For better adhesion of the rails have round or elongated holes or be worked profiles. The differences arising from the tiling architectural design possibilities can be further enhanced by the use of various Terrazzomischungen, but these subdivisions are useful mainly to the reduction of shrinkage cracking. Formerly fields were of only 4 m or less held also necessary. New practical insights have shown that larger fields with rail distances of up to 5m can be performed. In general, the separating bars are inserted in the fresh concrete bottom. Please note that metal rails may not be used in operating rooms, because of the thus modified electrical conductivity.