The Similarities And Differences Of Terrazzo, Composites, And Composites

Terrazzo, composites, and concrete are all materials that can be used in the interior of a space. In this paper, I am going to explain the similarities and differences between concrete and terrazzo, what each material is composed of, how these materials are used, and the different subcategories of each material. I’m also going to discuss how each material can be altered, in terms of the look and feel of it. Composite flooring is composed of aggregate and a binder, also known as the matrix. The aggregate is usually stone or glass chips, and the binder is usually concrete or epoxy. You can include additives to your mixture to tailor the composite to the specific job requirements. Stone aggregate in composite flooring is sorted into sizes, so …show more content…
A sand-cushioned system is cement based and is not bonded to the slab. It is wire-reinforced and is placed over a sand layer. A bonded system is cement based and is bonded to the slab. It is placed on the slab with a terrazzo topping. A polyacrylate system is cement-based, but modified with additives, and is bonded indirectly to the slab. The terrazzo is placed on top of a fixed membrane. An epoxy system has a resin matrix and bonds indirectly to the slab. A membrane is adhered to the slab upon which the terrazzo is placed. A rustic system is cement based and bonds directly to the slab. It has a portland cement under-bed, and is topped with terrazzo that is not ground flat. A monolithic system is cement based and bonds to the slab. The terrazzo topping bonds with the concrete slab. A tile system is epoxy based and bonds to the slab. The slab is leveled flat and cured. Lastly, a pre-cast system can be either epoxy or cement based. It varies depending on item and composition …show more content…
It’s a great option for commercial and public spaces because of it’s durability, but it’s a hard surface so it poses possible danger to those who fall. There are so many color options, aggregate options, and design options to terrazzo and that is one of the reasons why it is such a popular flooring material. Concrete is an almost universal material. It can be used in so many ways, and achieve many different looks. It can be used architecturally by being the exterior support of a building, or by being the exterior itself. It can be used interiorly by being incorporated into the floor, walls, ceiling, furniture, etc. Concrete can be colored, textured, and can have aggregate added to it. The possibilities are never ending. The basic recipe of concrete is portland cement, water, and aggregate. In almost every instance though, an admixture is included in the recipe. These admixtures include accelerants, retardants, air-entraining compounds, fly-ash, and glass fiber reinforcement. Accelerants speed up curing time. Retardants slow down curing time. Air-entraining compounds introduce air and improve durability in freezing weather. Fly-ash improves workability. Glass fiber reinforcement reduces small cracks that are common to portland cement-based