Terrazzo flooring has been around for a long time. Once, it was laborious to install, and caring for the finished floor was not all that simple. Today, thanks to innovations by Trend Terrazzo, things have changed dramatically. In fact, the terrazzo flooring installation process has been streamlined a significant amount.
Tiles
Today, terrazzo floor is available in tile format. These can be easily cut to any size needed with a diamond disc, and the tiles can flex so they can be used as cladding for curved surfaces. In most instances, a contractor will begin by cutting the edge tiles before doing anything else in preparation for installation.
The Terrazzo Flooring Installation Process
The first step to installing your new floor is to prepare the sub-floor. This requires a vacuum blast machine to prepare the surface for installation.
Once the subfloor has been prepared, the next step in the installation process is to dry fit all the tiles. This helps ensure that the right number (and size) of edge tiles have been cut and that there are ample terrazzo tiles for the rest of the floor. After dry fitting, the tiles will be removed.
The installer will apply a thin layer of adhesive to the subfloor at this point. This is called wet-set adhesive, and is designed to set quickly, holding the floor tiles in place. Only enough adhesive to hold the first line of tiles in place is applied, then it is allowed to sit for a few minutes until it gets tacky.
At this point, the first layer of tiles is installed and the fit is checked. This includes ensuring that tiles are lined up correctly, and that they are even. Minor adjustments are usually made with a rubber mallet that will not damage the tiles. If all is well, the installer applies another line of adhesive, allows it to become tacky, and then installs the second row of terrazzo tiles. This process is repeated until the entire floor has been covered.
Once all the tiles have been installed, the installer will roll the entire floor using a special roller. This applies weight to the floor and ensures that a solid bond has formed with the adhesive. After this, the floor is sealed and ready for use.
We invite you to learn more about our beautiful, innovative terrazzo flooring products.
