Terrazzo Terrazzo is an oldworld application with new-world design capabilities. Any functional work of art can be created using this cement or resinous matrix mixed with marble, granite, onyx or glass aggregates. An extremely versatile material, terrazzo offers an unlimited palette of color and texture combinations, as well as the ability to naturally blend free-form, curvilinear shapes into a design. A Performing A!
This unique look, featured at the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach, is impossible to achieve with any other flooring material. Environmentally sound, terrazzo flooring was one of the original recycled products, as it utilized waste chips from slab marble processing. Today, several glass aggregate suppliers provide postindustrial recycled glass to the marketplace, while several slab marble and granite quarries supply postindustrial stone left over from slab marble and granite processing.
Terrazzo is a product that optimizes lifecycle performance, reduces operating costs and enhances asset value; additionally, it can improve indoor air quality, since its water permeation capacity promotes a mold-free environment. Its installation process has four steps: it is poured, cured, ground and then polished. Terrazzo can be used as a finish for floors, stairs or walls, utilizing several types of styling options. Plastic, brass or aluminum divider strips may also be incorporated.
Epoxy terrazzo offers a thin resin matrix veneer when placed upon a level concrete slab. It has unlimited matrix colors, making it excellent for multicolored patterns and designs. This system can be installed with minimal dividers, providing seamless characteristics; it is lightweight, flexible and ideal for multi-story use, featuring quick pour-to-grind installation time. It is also characterized by its resiliency, chemical-resistance and tensile and compressive strengths, not available in cement-based systems. Due to its non-absorbency, this material has a low maintenance cost. Epoxy terrazzo flooring works best anywhere a monolithic, virtually indestructible floor surface is needed. When used in conjunction with a flexible membrane as a specified extra, it can also absorb horizontal concrete cracks or control joint movement up to 1/8.
Both cement and thin-set epoxy terrazzo systems are composed of zero volatile organic compound (VOC) materials. The use of terrazzo also eliminates the presence of grout joints commonly associated with ceramic, porcelain or quarry tile products. Grout joints invite sanitation problems such as microbial growth, or dirt and wax build-up. The lippage in joints can cause people to trip and can create safety issues. Lippage can also be responsible for a significant noise factor when carts are rolled over it. The cleanable, non-porous terrazzo finish has no joint lippage and does not support microbial growth -- nor does it allow moisture to accumulate, which helps to maintain a mold-free environment with improved indoor air quality.
Low Maintenance & High Longevity: Terrazzo systems have demonstrated life expectancies of over 40 years, greatly reducing operating and maintenance costs. Only a daily dry mop or occasional buffing is required, saving on water, electricity, labor and other associated expenses. In many cases, old terrazzo systems may be refurbished for a fraction of the original cost by repolishing to bring out the original luster of the matrix and chips. vfc
Usgbc / leed GREEN TERRAZZO MRcr1.3 Building Reuse Credit (1 point possible) Terrazzo floors typically last the lifetime of the structure. In many renovation projects, the original terrazzo flooring has been restored to its original luster following some inexpensive repairs and refinishing. Refinishing of terrazzo can be combined with the reuse of other non-shell areas like walls, doors and ceiling systems to achieve 50% reuse. MRcr4.1 and 4.2 Recycled Content Credit (2 points possible) Terrazzo allows for easy incorporation of recycled glass, as well as stone or marble salvaged from other buildings and re-crushed and sieved for the terrazzo trade. One point is granted for 10% recycled content and a second point for an additional 10% (20% total) of the total value of the recycled materials on the project. A floor containing 100% recycled glass would contain as much as 75% by volume of recycled product. Aluminum strips may also contain recycled metal. The credit is based on the dollar value of the raw material. MRcr5.1 and 5.2 Local Regional Materials Credit (2 points possible) One point is awarded if 10% of the project building materials are extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured within a 500-mile radius of the project. The calculation is based on the cost of the raw materials. Marble chips and glass aggregate, as well as the cement and epoxy binders, are available throughout the United States. A second point is awarded if the total percentage of the cost of regional materials is at least 20%. MRcr2.1 and 2.2 Construction Waste Management Credit (1 to 2 points) Terrazzo can be a part of the construction waste management team and assist in the reclamation of waste from the construction process. In projects that require demolition of existing structures, the terrazzo contractor can be part of the construction waste management team -- reclaiming aggregate and thereby avoiding disposal into the landfill. If desired, the salvaged aggregate could be used in the flooring of the new building project. EQcr4.1 Indoor Emitting Materials Credit 4.1 or 4.2 (1 point possible) Cement-based terrazzo systems use inorganic binders containing no VOCs. The epoxy manufacturers of thin-set epoxy terrazzo systems have moved to 100%- solid formulas, eliminating the addition of any VOCs to the material. A certificate of compliance may be obtained from the individual epoxy manufacturer. IDcr1 Innovative Design Credit (1 point possible) Terrazzo also has the potential to earn additional points, under the Innovation and Design category, for innovative performance in green building categories not specifically addressed by LEED. Use of terrazzo as a predominant floor material could potentially result in an installation with a life cycle analysis that exceeds that of other floor materials. Overall, on typical projects, terrazzo can realistically contribute to five LEED credits: MRcr4 (2), MRcr5 (2) EQcr4.1(1). On a case-by-case basis, terrazzo could also contribute to MRcr1.3 (1), and in extreme cases Idcr1 (1) and MRcr2 (1), for a total of 8 possible points.
If you can imagine it, we can create it... these custom designs were created from traditional wall hung art into a flooring masterpiece. For more information please visit: www.a!"ticsurfaces.com 954-968-17$