09 72 00

TERRAZZO FLOORING
INDEX TO ARTICLES
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1 Contract Documents
1.2 Work Included
1.3 Related Work Specified Elsewhere
1.4 Quality Assurance
1.5 Submittals

PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.1 Materials
2.2 Mixes
2.3 Delivery Storage And Handling

PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1 Installation
3.2 Cleaning/Sealing
3.3 Protection

09 72 00 Terrazzo Flooring Page 1 of 6

09 72 00
TERRAZZO FLOORING
1. GENERAL
1.1 Contract Documents
1.1.1 All Work of this Section shall comply with the requirements of the Contract
Documents for the Main Building Works, with the Drawings, Schedules and with
all other Contract Documents.
1.2 Work Included
1.2.1 Placement of sand cushion terrazzo in locations as indicated on the Drawings.
1.3 Related Work Specified Elsewhere
1.3.1 Furnishing and installation of metal lath and scratch coat, 09 10 00.
1.3.2 Concrete subfloor, refer to Concrete Specification.
1.3.3 Broom clean area to receive terrazzo of loose chips and all foreign matter.
1.3.4 Sufficient water, temporary heat and light, and adequate electric power with
suitable outlets connected and distributed for use within 30m of any working
space.
1.4 Quality Assurance
1.4.1 Refer to Section 01 42 19 Reference Standards to comply with the requirements
of the referenced standard
1.4.2 In the event of an overlap between American, British and Australian Standards,
the more stringent standard will apply.
1.5 Submittals
1.5.1 Samples:
a) Submit three samples, each 150 x 150mm for each colour and type of
terrazzo specified.
b) Submit three (3) 150mm lengths of each type and kind of divider strip as
specified.
1.5.2 Maintenance Literature:
a) Submit two copies of NTMA maintenance recommendations.
1.5.3 Certification:
a) Suppliers shall furnish certification attesting that materials meet
Specification requirements.
2. PRODUCTS
2.1 Materials
2.1.1 Portland cement: White colour.
2.1.2 Sand: Clean, washed, locally available sand.
2.1.3 Marble and Granite Chips:
a) Crushed marble and granite of angular (not flaky) shape evenly graded
free from fines.
b) Sizes of marble and granite chips shall be in accordance with NTMA
gradation standards.
c) Hardeners shall be in accordance with ASTM C 241 Ha 10 minimum.
d) The 24-hour absorption rate shall not exceed 0.75%.

09 72 00 Terrazzo Flooring Page 2 of 6

 e) Chips shall contain no deleterious or foreign matter.
f) Dust content shall be less than 1% by weight.
2.1.4 Strips:
a) Divider strips:
Divider strips shall be of heavy duty zinc construction having exposed
faces in accordance with the Drawings.
2.1.5 Colourants:
Alkali-resistant colour stable pigments.
2.1.6 Reinforcement:
50mm x 50mm x 1.6mm thick galvanised welded wire mesh.
2.1.7 Isolation Membrane:
4 mil (Type 13300) polyethylene sheeting or 6.8kg unperforated roofing felt.
2.1.8 Curing materials:
Water, wet sand, or polyethylene sheeting.
2.1.9 Terrazzo cleaner:
a) pH factor between 7 and 10, where applicable.
b) Biodegradable and phosphate free.
2.1.10 Sealer:
a) pH factor between 7 and 10, where applicable.
b) Sealer shall not discolour or amber.
c) Penetrating type specially prepared for use on terrazzo.
d) Flash Point: ASTM D56 27oC minimum where applicable.
2.2 Mixes
2.2.1 Terrazzo Selection
a) Type shall be Venetian. Colours and designs shall be as selected by the
Architect.
2.2.2 Proportions
a) Underbed:
One part of Portland cement to four parts sand and sufficient water to
provide workability at as low a slump as possible.
b) Terrazzo Topping:
43 kg Portland cement per 90-100kg of marble or granite chips, colour
pigment as required and sufficient potable water to produce a workable
mix. Minimum thickness of topping shall be 15mm.
2.2.3 Mixing:
a) Underbed:
i) Charge and mix sand and Portland cement
ii) Add water and mix
b) Terrazzo Topping:
i) Charge and mix marble chips, Portland cement and colour
pigment as required.

09 72 00 Terrazzo Flooring Page 3 of 6

 ii) Add water and mix to a uniform workable consistency.
2.3 Delivery, Storage And Handling
2.3.1 Deliver materials in a manner to prevent damage to containers and/or bags.
2.3.2 Store materials in a clean, dry location.

09 72 00 Terrazzo Flooring Page 4 of 6

3. EXECUTION
3.1 Installation
3.1.1 Underbed:
a) Cover entire surface to receive terrazzo with dusting of sand.
b) Install isolation membrane overlapping ends and edges a minimum of
75mm.
c) Install welded wire reinforcement:
i) Overlap wire at edges and ends at least 2 squares.
d) Place underbed mix.
e) Screed underbed to elevation 15mm below finished floor elevation or
slope.
f) Install divider strips as shown on Drawings in semi-plastic underbed and
trowel firmly along edges.
3.1.2 Placing Terrazzo:
a) Saturate underbed with water.
b) Place terrazzo mixture in panels formed by divider strips and trowel
mixture to top of strips.
c) Seed of additional marble and granite chips.
d) Roll and compact surface until all excess cement and water has been
extracted.
e) Trowel to a dense uniform flat surface disclosing lines of divider strips.
3.1.3 Bays and movement joints:
Form bays in screeds and panels in terrazzo toppings and provide joints as
follows:
a) Screed bays maximum 15m2; as near square shape as practicable.
b) Maximum side length of screed bay: 4m.
c) Cast screed bays in chequer board pattern with minimum 24 hours delay
before casting adjacent bays.
d) Form plain square bay joints carefully compacted at edges.
e) Securely fix the dividing strips into the screed to form panels maximum
1.00m2 for terrazzo topping. Location and shape of panels as shown on
Drawings.
f) Locate screed bay joints above those in the base. Extend movement
joints in the base through to the floor surface. Wherever possible locate
terrazzo panel joints above joints in the screed.
3.1.4 Curing:
a) After completing placement of terrazzo and composition has sufficiently
set, cover with water, wet sand or polyethylene sheeting.
b) Cure until topping develops sufficient strength to prevent lifting or pulling
of terrazzo chips during grinding.
3.1.5 Finishing:
a) Rough Grinding:
i) Grind with 24 or finer grit stones or with comparable diamond
plates.

09 72 00 Terrazzo Flooring Page 5 of 6

 ii) Follow initial grind with 80 or finer grit stones.
b) Grouting:
i) Cleanse floor with clean water and rinse.
ii) Remove excess rinse water and machine or hand apply grout,
taking care to fill voids.
c) Cure Grout.
d) Fine Grinding:
i) Grind with 80 or finer grit stones until all grout is removed from
surface.
ii) Upon completion, terrazzo shall show a minimum of 70% marble
and granite chips.
3.2 Cleaning and Sealing:
3.2.1 Wash all surfaces with a neutral cleaner.
3.2.2 Rinse with clean water and allow surface to dry.
3.2.3 Apply sealer in accordance with manufacturer's directions.
3.3 Protection
3.3.1 Upon completion, the work shall be ready for final inspection by the Architect.
3.3.2 Protect the finished floor from any contamination or traffic that could harm the
flooring at the time that the work is completed.

- END -

09 72 00 Terrazzo Flooring Page 6 of 6