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Terrazzo tiles

Properties of terrazzo tiles

Terrazzo as a cast floor covering has been popular since Greek and Roman antiquity. The floor found its way into Central Europe through church construction.

[Translate to en:] Herstellung von Terrazzoplatten

Traditional production

Like the cast models from churches and historic buildings, VIA terrazzo tiles are made traditionally: from a mixture of coloured cement and coloured aggregates, without synthetic resins or other plastics.


The mixture is pressed and gets its typical surface appearance by subsequent grinding.

Color and character

White, red, gray and black are the four typical terrazzo colors. VIA also produces tiles in many other colors (such as N° 712052) in 20 x 20 cm format.

The characteristic grain of the tiles does not let the individual tile patterns run absolutely precisely - a characteristic of terrazzo products.

The tiles are sanded with a 120 grain. This achieves a surface according to R9 classification. This process can cause individual grains to be ripped out at the edges of the tiles, resulting in rock chipping, blowholes and edge unevenness. Flaws and imperfections are part of the process.

The color nuances of the individual tiles create the wonderful changing, one of the main characteristics - because: No tile is like the other.

[Translate to en:] Lounge Terrazzoplatten schwarz/weiss

Surface

VIA terrazzo tiles are dried and have open pores. 


Like all floors produced from natural materials, this flooring - as well as natural stones such as marble - is sensitive to acids. Therefore, it should not be treated with harsh acidic cleaners. Acidic food (e.g. wine) should be removed from the tiles promptly.
Over and over again terrazzo floors inspire, as they can still be seen in many historic buildings. Whether as Ortterrazzo or as Terrazzo tile floor covering. It is not only the beauty, but also the sturdiness and diversity of the material that convinces.

Terrazzo tiles - laying

Laying them is not difficult, but it should be done carefully so that you can enjoy them for a long time.

There are a few things to keep in mind:

 

  • The tiles are installed using the buttering-floating method in the center bed with VIA tile adhesive and with a minimum joint width.
  • For the joint compound, use the traditional mixture of trass cement and silica sand (0.06 to 0.2 mm grain size). These are commercially available building materials. Do not use ready-mixed joint compound, because it contains plastic particles that can settle into the still open-pored slabs, causing a gray haze on the tiles.
  • Impregnation of the tiles is done after grouting. You can impregnate either with the VIA panel oil or with the VIA mineral impregnation.

 

    Impregnation

    Impregnation with the self-hardening VIA tile oil is carried out after complete drying of the floor after jointing, which is given after about one week. There must be no residual moisture in the floor. Therefore, do not clean the floor with water before impregnation, otherwise the oil will not be able to penetrate into the pores of the tiles.


    VIA mineral impregnation based on water glass silicifies the surface of the boards. The penetration depth is essential for a good result and the dryness of the tile surface is therefore an important prerequisite.
    For the exact impregnation procedure with VIA tile oil or VIA mineral impregnation, read the corresponding data sheet.
    The impregnation of terrazzo tiles is very important and indispensable. Only by impregnation the tiles get the necessary protection. Take a look at our VIA installation film and the VIA installation instructions on the VIA website.

    Care

    Traditionally, terrazzo floors are cleaned with soft soap. The VIA soft soap cares for the floor through its re-lubricating property and allows a beautiful patina to develop over time. Coarser dirt can be removed e.g. with a "Glitzi" sponge and ATA (cleaning agent) or also with so-called "cleaning stone".

    Rework

    The tiles are given an additional shine by reconditioning with diamond polishing pads. In this process, differently grained polishing pads are applied in sequence.