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The Purpose of Divider Strips in Terrazzo Flooring

You can quickly identify terrazzo tiles by their aggregates and their binder. Terrazzo divider strips are also an essential element of terrazzo tiles. In this blog, we will dive into the purpose of divider strips and look at some of the options available in helping you design your next terrazzo tiles project. Traditional terrazzo tiles are […]

Terrazzo tiles Installation – Know the Basics

Even if you choose to have your terrazzo tiles professionally placed rather than doing it yourself, you must understand the fundamentals of terrazzo installation. The reason for this is because each stage is equally important to the next, and any errors or missed elements may result in a long and complex repair process. Preparation of […]

The Purpose of Divider Strips in Terrazzo Flooring

Traditional terrazzo tiles are laid over a concrete floor to provide a thickness of finishing material (1/2 to ¾) inch thick. Then, it is allowed to set, which is polished to give it its ultimate lustrous look. The polishing and grinding require several stages, and after each step, you have to take some and wait for the curing and setting. This will make the laying of traditional terrazzo tiles a reasonably time-consuming job.

Epoxy terrazzo tiles are laid with a minimal thickness but cure and harden in less than 24 hours, after which the grinding and polishing can be undertaken. This reduces the time for the flooring to be ready for use. However, epoxy is vulnerable to ultraviolet rays and, as a result, cannot be used in open spaces. Traditional terrazzo tiles have no such restriction. They are very durable. You can see these examples in their use in many areas and monuments that are centuries old.

Form

Divider strips form the terrazzo tiles design layout. During the Installation, terrazzo contractors cut and place strips before pouring the epoxy terrazzo material in place.

Divider strips give designers and architects the ability to plan sophisticated patterns, logos, and other custom-made designs.

Divider strips give a color change in the terrazzo tiles design. Often terrazzo projects use anywhere from two colors to over twenty colors when completing a floor design. Typically, terrazzo tiles installers will mix each tile color one at a time and trowel the material between the strips according to the designer’s drawings. Question to know before buy terrazzo floor tiles online.

What are the divider strip options?

Materials

Divider strips can be selected based on the type of material. When designing terrazzo tiles, you can choose from various materials: aluminum, brass, zinc, and plastic strips. We will showcase some examples and discuss what to look out for when selecting each material.

Aluminum

Most epoxy terrazzo tiles will use aluminum divider strips. We recommend using aluminum strips for a couple of reasons: it’s affordable, is a good source of recycled content if LEED points are relevant to your project, and is easy to use on a project to create patterns.

Zinc

Zinc is another material to consider. Zinc strips were often used in cement terrazzo installations but are less likely to be used in today’s epoxy terrazzo tiles. Why? Zinc looks similar to aluminum; however, we recommend that architects and designers select aluminum when specifying epoxy terrazzo to minimize cost and ease installation. Zinc will cost more than aluminum, and it is harder to grind over the strip during Installation. Click here to read about Terrazzo tiles Installation – Know the Basics.

Brass

Another option is brass. Brass strips are used as a vital design element in the aesthetic of cement and epoxy terrazzo tiles. The drawback is that it is high-end material; therefore, it costs more than aluminum and zinc. Be warned that the copper in brass strips can result in blue staining on or adjacent to the divider strips, noticeable in lightly colored matrixes. It is recommended to ask a terrazzo tiles manufacturer whether their epoxy resin is compatible with brass strips.

Plastic

Plastic strips are another option to consider. Standard colors are white and black; however, custom colors are available as well. This may be good for accent colors to match a university’s color theme.

Sometimes architects ask us if they can design terrazzo outdoor tiles where the strips are hardly noticeable. With plastic strips, it is possible to match the epoxy colors and blend with the floor design.

Thickness

Divider strips vary in size as well. A common term to know is a strip’s gauge. When selecting strips, ask yourself whether you want to strip to have a thin or thick appearance—a couple of options you can choose range from 1/16″, 1/8″, and 1/4″ thicknesses.

Divider strips are customizable to complement your terrazzo tiles. You have options to determine the thickness of the strip, the color or material of the strip, and whether you want the strip to be visible or hidden. Now that we’ve discussed how divider strips form the design of terrazzo tiles, we will now look into its function.

Function

In addition to creating the layout of terrazzo tiles, divider strips play an essential role in controlling the cracking of the terrazzo topping.

Installers will place the specified divider strips, including all saw cuts and expansions areas, and secure them in place. We recommend that engineers identify areas where the floor may crack so that the installers can properly install each strip. Attention to these details can prevent future problems later in the flooring lifecycle and help building owners save on any repairs.

The thicknesses of dividers strips and their Installation

This is more a preference than any design or structural requirement. Thicknesses used are 1/16″, 1/8″, or 1/4″. The smaller thicknesses are more suitable for intricate patterns, making them easier to bend to conform to the design that is being laid. The higher thicknesses will support greater depths of terrazzo tiles, though the minimum thicknesses in epoxy terrazzo tiles do not require this to be considered. The thickness to be used is more dictated by the patterns laid down and the separation between panels that the designer finds necessary.

It is customary to lay down the dividers on the bare concrete floor to the required design and have it approved by the architect or designer before any terrazzo tiles are laid between them. The dividers have to be of a width equal to the thickness of the terrazzo tiles applied. They are then laid down and secured in cement mortar or other means to remain firm when the terrazzo tiles mixture is being poured into the mold created by the base concrete and the strips that act as sides to the mold. Where all panels are in straight lines, use is often made of aluminum angles of the required depth, with one side of the curve easier to nail down to the floor.

Terrazzo tiles Installation – Know the Basics

Preparation of the Surface

The outcome of this phase determines the overall balance of the installation procedure. This procedure is used to prepare the subflooring so that it can form a firm connection with the terrazzo tiles. Post-installation issues caused by improper surface preparation may be very expensive to rectify if they were not detected and corrected in time. Using shot blasting, the surface is given the appropriate Concrete Surface Profile that will accept the specific terrazzo flooring system that will be installed on the surface. Visit https://tileandbathco.com.au/collections/terrazzo-tiles to know things you must know before buying terrazzo tiles online in Australia.

Detailing of Cracks

This process is carried out in order to prevent cracks or fractures from propagating upwards into the terrazzo tiles installation. This is accomplished by applying a flexible epoxy to cracks that have been discovered during surface preparation and then capping them with another flexible epoxy.

Strip Layout

In the event that you want to customize your terrazzo tiles installation with logos, artwork, or any other kind of design, this process must be followed. This guarantees that your artwork is meticulously put out, thus minimizing the possibility of making expensive errors.

Preparation of the Substrate

To establish a solid connection between the substrate and the terrazzo tiles installation, this procedure must be carried out.

Grinding

This procedure is carried out after the floor has been allowed to cure for at least 24 hours. This is done in order to create a surface that is bright and consistent in appearance. As soon as this is completed, grouting may be used in order to further guarantee that a smooth, non-porous terrazzo tiles installation is accomplished.

Cleaning, polishing, and sealing

This phase is particularly important since there are a number of various finishes available for terrazzo installation, including the basic Sealed Polished Finish, the Machine Polished Finish for low traffic areas, and the Honed Anti-Slip Finish for slippery surfaces.

When done correctly, terrazzo installation will guarantee that your floors come out perfectly and will last for as long as you want them to. With appropriate care and upkeep, your terrazzo installation will be well worth the money you spent to choose it over all of the other flooring options available to you. Click here to read about The Purpose of Divider Strips in Terrazzo Flooring.

Terrazzo Upkeep and Repair

Terrazzo tiles is very simple to maintain clean — particularly if it has been sealed after installation. Terrazzo is also inexpensive. The most dangerous enemy of terrazzo is grit, which must be avoided at all costs in order to avoid scratching the surface. You may sweep, dust mop, or vacuum; just be careful not to use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar, as this can pull grit into the machine. Then use a neutral cleaner made specifically for stone or terrazzo to wipe it once or twice a week (regular cleaners might be too acidic or alkaline). Rinse well to maintain the gloss. Traditional terrazzo stains more readily than modern terrazzo, so spills should be cleaned up immediately — but the sealer will help resist stains. Check with your installer to see whether you’ll need to strip and reseal your floor on a regular basis.

Terrazzo Installation: Preparation of the Ground

It doesn’t matter whatever kind of terrazzo you select; the installation process will be more time-consuming than installing carpet or hardwood. Many kinds of flooring are suitable for weekend projects or do-it-yourselfers; however, terrazzo is not one of them. Unless, of course, you’re a mason by trade. If you want terrazzo placed in an existing building, you’ll need to hire terrazzo tiles installation professionals that are experts in the field. Each one approaches the task in a slightly different way. However, although I’ve included the three most popular and widely used kinds of terrazzo, there are many variants, and each contractor has its own preferences and specialties. So, let’s assume you’re going to have terrazzo flooring installed.

First and foremost, your contractor will need to inspect your existing sub-flooring. In order to achieve classic terrazzo tiles, a strong concrete foundation is required. In some cases, this may need digging down under your home since there is a sand layer on top of the cement prior to the real terrazzo topping being placed, and you will want it to be consistent with the current floor level in the home. That is a significant amount of time and money, but if you are having it put outdoors, it may not be as significant a commitment.

If you already have a concrete slab and you’re having polyacrylate or epoxy terrazzo tiles, you’ll just need to have it examined to make sure it’s structurally sound and level before proceeding. In addition, your contractor will identify any existing joints in the concrete. Furthermore, certain kinds of epoxy terrazzo may be installed on top of plywood sub-flooring, which is what the majority of us are most likely to have in our houses nowadays.

But, let’s stick with the concrete slab for the time being. Workers will clean it, fix any flaws, and prepare it for the kind of terrazzo tiles you’re receiving, which is called the CSP procedure (concrete surface profile). A thicker kind, such as conventional terrazzo, requires a rougher concrete surface, while thin-set systems, such as epoxy, may be applied to a reasonably smooth concrete surface without requiring a coarser surface. For epoxy terrazzo outdoor tiles, you may additionally need a specific membrane to be applied over the cement to assist prevent cracking and, in the case of terrazzo, to serve as a moisture barrier.

If you choose the conventional route, the following step will be to apply a layer of sand, followed by a coating of cement, and finally the design. Polyacrylate and epoxy, on the other hand, are applied directly to the design. Naturally, this will all be planned out ahead of time, and the details will vary according to the kind of terrazzo being used. Some contractors may print out the design on paper and put it out on the floor, full-size, to demonstrate their intent. What level of information do you require?

Color changes in the design are separated by separating strips, which may be made of plastic, copper, zinc, brass, or other materials — the color can be part of the design, and they can also be of various thicknesses — and they can be of varied widths as well as different lengths. If the pattern is very complex, it may be drawn out on panels of wire mesh ahead of time, or it may even be cut using water jets, and then the remainder of the wire mesh is bent on site. Working jointly with solder, workers adhere the dividing strips to the concrete using glue or other means. The finish line is in sight.