Installation instructions

Verification of materials and foundation

The following instructions should be considered as a general guidelines for laying terrazzo, and are not binding.

We nevertheless advise you to follow the local laws and regulation for terrazzo
installation of the country where the material will be installed.

Upon receipt of materials and before the installation, the pieces must be carefully checked for the verification of colours, sizes, or some defects. Claims on laid materials for defects visible before installation, can’t be accepted. Before laying, we advise to proceed with an indoor acclimatization of the materials, unpacking and let them dry on a wall with an all-round ventilation storage.

The materials should be installed dry and without humidity. The foundation must be clean, dry, free from humidity and oil and shouldn’t be frozen and without cracks.

We advise to install the materials if possible within 4 weeks from production date.

Laying stairs in terrazzo

Joints

By steps is important to ensure possibility of expansion, joints with walls must not be mortared. Between treads and risers, the width of joints should be 2mm so is  ensured the mobility of the stairs. Before grouting, the joints should remain open for at least a week. Once this period has passed, they should be filled with jointing mortar (ready mix jointing mortar or a mix of quartz, sand and cement) with jointing mortar.

Laying tiles in terrazzo

Before laying, the backside of the tiles should be cleaned. In order to achieve better adhesion between tiles and mortar bed, the material can be treated with a special bonding emulsion. The mortar should be “plastic” and not too dry, so as to be able to level the tiles flush. The    mortar/adhesive should be applied professionally without gaps between tiles and foundation.

In accordance to DIN 18333 tiles must be laid in stack pattern or in 3/4 brick pattern.

1/2 brick pattern is to avoid.

Big size tiles must be laid only in a stark pattern

Laying system

Tiles with a size:

< 50x75cm lay on full surface
> 50x75cm lay on mortar strips

Joints

In accordance to DIN 18333:

– Tiles with length ≤ 60cm, joints should be 3mm width.
– Tiles with length > 60cm, joints should be 5mm width.

By wide areas, it’s recommended to plan expansion joints at regular distances.

After laying

Once the material has been laid, we recommend to cover the surfaces with a polyethylene sheet, to prevent not uniform drying, tension and cracks. The material shouldn’t be subjected to air currents.

After installation the surfaces must be kept clean and free from materials that can damage the surfaces during the realisation of other operation by painters, electricians or other workers at regular distances.