Types, Installation, and Advantages of Terrazzo Flooring Tiles in Australia

Terrazzo flooring tiles comprise a composite of exciting materials with fascinating features. Traditional The application of terrazzo tiles to structures is not limited to homes and residences alone. But can also be used for commercial and industrial centers. 

In addition, super terrazzo tiles can work for both outdoor and indoor designs, whether in-situ (on-site) or preset or precast terrazzo slabs. Historically, the use of terrazzo tiles actually started with commercial or public places before it meandered into homes. But today, it has become one of the most expensive but durable flooring options for homes. 

Some familiar places where you find genuine terrazzo tiles or terrazzo lookalikes include kitchen cover slabs or countertops, backsplashes, floors, or walls. Moreover, some of the terrazzo tiles’ fascinating features are customizable with a wide range of flexibility in design. You can also design them into a highly durable and bright floor for reflective surfaces where needed. 

Types of Terrazzo Flooring

The recent technologies have opened up a more comprehensive range of terrazzo materials options that further revolutionize terrazzo designs. This revolution affects the techniques. It also influences the installation process and use of terrazzo tiles. There are basically two terrazzo tiles types: cementitious terrazzo and epoxy-based terrazzo.

1. Cementitious Terrazzo

The cementitious terrazzo tiles get the name from cement, suggesting that the composite contains a cement matrix to bind the blended aggregates together. Moreover, this term also means a multiple terrazzo system involved. It often includes the bonded, cushion, rustic, monolithic, and polyacrylate systems. 

This type of terrazzo is perfect for having exterior portions of a project or a renovation project for a thicker and heavier surface. 

2. Epoxy-based terrazzo

Using the epoxy-based terrazzo has a unique feature, and it is that it is speedy to apply on the surface. An epoxy matric to bind the aggregates that make up your composite allows for a thin set of incredible systems. In addition, it creates a smooth and luxurious finish on the desired surface. At the same time, the system can cure overnight after pouring it out. And the next thing the following day will be to polish the surfaces, and the project is now complete. 

In other words, using epoxy-based terrazzo means that you can have a faster turnaround time for your project. Moreover, this speed of application is only beneficial in the case of busy shopping centers, especially with the work of renovation or shorter time of project completion duration.

Below is a clear distinction between the epoxy-based terrazzo and a cementitious terrazzo surface;

	CEMENTITIOUS TERRAZZO TILES	EPOXY-BASED TERRAZZO TILES
Colour options	Limited options	More options
Thickness	Thicker than the other	6 – 8 mm
Cure	It takes time to cure	Faster
Moisture control	Maximum	Minimum
Application	Both Interior and external application	Often Internal applications only
Finish	Minimal glossy finish	More glossy finish

Application of Terrazzo Flooring Tiles

The installation process of terrazzo tiles is worth all that you have read about it. Another attribute is that it allows for both bonded and unbonded methods. The related way includes under the bed, monolithic, and the chemically bonded mixture. But the most recent one is the epoxy resin, which is the thin-set method. At the same time, the bonded terrazzo works for the sand-cement mortar mixture, which sits at the top of a concrete slab. learn more about commercial use of these tiles at http://unitedslab.com/using-terrazzo-tiles-for-commercial-buildings-in-sydney/

This particular combinative layer allows different variations with a finished concrete slab on which it sits. A monolithic terrazzo and be applied directly on a highly flat surface with excellent quality for the subfloor. Meanwhile, using a thin-set terrazzo is an indication that it does not require any form of concrete subfloor below it. 

However, it may take a flexible membrane where the cracks do not show on the topmost surface. At the same time, the unbonded systems come with a sand cushion method, which comes with wire reinforcement, an isolation sheet, and sand dusting for absorption of any movement on the concrete slab. 

Installation Methods of Terrazo Tiles

Below is a brief of the process of installing the terrazzo tiles at home:

1. Measure the tile for the outside edges of the area
2. Cut the edge tiles according to the taken measurements
3. Make the first layer into an epoxy primer for the surface
4. Lay a full tile on the surface and proceed with your laying
5. Secure the terrazzo tiles with a roller to ensure it produces a smooth and flat surface
6. Apply a sealer to the laid terrazzo tiles

Bear in mind that the thickness of the tile layers and the curing time depends on whether you are applying a cementitious terrazzo tile or an epoxy-based terrazzo. 

Advantages of Installing Terrazzo Flooring Tiles 

1. The terrazzo floor tiles make the most accessible flooring material to clean after installation. There is no need for any scouring material, polish, or even a hard scrubbing. A standard cleaning method with water and mopping is enough to remove any stain that does not sink.
2. Terrazzo flooring brings with it a limitless option to customize what you have at your disposal. This diversity implies that the builder can create unique designs due to flexibility.
3. It is challenging for any stain to form a dent on the material because it also has a speckled texture mixed inside the composite material.
4. After properly sealing the terrazzo flooring, it results in a non-porous material that is resistant to the mold
5. Terrazzo tiles are also made of sturdy materials such as cement, making them very durable. They can be used in institutional and commercial buildings. This feature also ensures that the built structures can withstand time’s tests.
6. This flooring material produces an elegant structure with endless design possibilities as well
7. It has relatively low maintenance and lifecycle cost
8. It is VOC-compliant
9. Terrazzo tile flooring is resistant to chemical effects as opposed to other hard surface floorings, including wood and traditional concrete
10. Consistency in color and performance is another impressive benefit of installing terrazzo tiles 
11. Installing these terrazzo tiles on the floor saves you a lot of time with its quick curing process. As a result, the project can have a fast turnaround time and increase productivity. 
12. Using an in-situ pouring of the composite material into a monolithic surface can save a lot of time, space, and freight cost. Otherwise, you may need to increase your budget to accommodate these extra costs.
13. Terrazzo floors also have natural anti-slip characteristics, making them far more advantageous than traditional tiles.