Concrete mosaic floors: characteristics, device

Combining the artistic potential of mosaic design with the strength of concrete, concrete mosaic floors are a stunning and long-lasting flooring choice. These floors are becoming more and more common in both residential and commercial settings because of their adaptability and visual appeal. Concrete mosaic floors provide an infinite amount of design options, whether your goal is to create a striking pattern or a more understated statement.

The longevity of concrete mosaic floors is one of their main advantages. These floors are perfect for high-traffic areas because they are resilient to wear and tear, unlike traditional flooring materials. They are an excellent option for a variety of environments because they can withstand heavy loads and have excellent heat resistance.

There are various steps involved in making a concrete mosaic floor. First things first: the base needs to be level and clean. After that, a layer of concrete is applied, and the mosaic pieces are carefully placed. To achieve a smooth and glossy finish, polishing the surface is the last step. Each floor will be distinctive and customized to the owner’s specific design preferences thanks to this painstaking process.

In addition to being practical, concrete mosaic floors provide a plethora of design alternatives. The options are unlimited and range from complex patterns to straightforward geometric shapes. These floors can enhance any interior design and add beauty and value to the room when the proper colors and materials are chosen.

For both commercial and residential spaces, concrete mosaic floors are a stunning and long-lasting choice. These floors create distinctive and striking patterns by fusing the visual appeal of different colored stones or tiles with the strength of concrete. Concrete mosaic floors are very customizable and easy to maintain, making them a great option for anyone looking to add some style and functionality to their interior design. They offer a classic appearance that is resilient to regular wear and tear and heavy foot traffic, whether they are used in kitchens, hallways, or public spaces.

Properties and structure of the coating

Concrete mosaic floors are two layers thick, with a 20 mm cement screed and a 25 mm concrete layer. The mosaic coating’s structure, which includes species of granite and white marble, gives it a distinctive decorative texture and an amazing range of color shades.

Structure

The following elements are combined in the concrete composition for the aforementioned floors:

1. Binder — Portland cement grade M400. Can be white or colored.
2. Whitener — flour from light marble chips or other decorative stone. The amount of the component is determined by the required degree of whitening, and usually amounts to 20-40% of the total volume of cement.

Some pointers: – The strength of the coating is reduced when whitener is added to the mosaic solution in an uncontrolled manner.

1. Stone chips act as a filler (marble, granite, basalt, etc.), the fraction size of which is 0.025–0.15 cm. The volume of fillers in the mosaic solution should not exceed 80%. Mosaic composition on large aggregates is the most aesthetic and attractive.

1. Such concrete coating will lose its decorative effect if coloring pigments are not added to the solution. Pigments are artificial or natural dyes that help the floor take on a particular shade. For example, ultramarine is blue, red lead is red-brown, chromium oxide is green, etc.d. Pigments are mixed with cement in a dry solution, and the volume of dyes should not exceed 15% of the total volume of cement.

General requirements for flooring and basic properties of the coating

These types of floors are typically found in areas with high traffic, such as vestibules, stairwells, warehouses, and offices of commercial buildings.

As a result, the following specifications relate to the solution’s preparation and coating’s operation:

1. The recommended air temperature and the temperature of the materials used should not be lower than 5 ° C. The specified temperature should be maintained until the coating gains strength (at least 50%).
2. The compressive strength of the floor should correspond to the technological requirements of the design documentation, and should not be lower than 200 kgf/cm².
3. Portland cement grade M400 and higher is used to prepare the mosaic mixture.
4. Light-colored solutions are prepared from white Portland cement. Colored mixtures are prepared from white cement with the addition of coloring pigments. Portland cement is whitened with stone flour with a fraction size of no more than 0.15 mm.
5. The use of lime or gypsum as whiteners is strictly prohibited.
6. The ultimate strength of the fillers of the mosaic mixture should correspond to 600 kgf/cm² and higher.

The finished floor is on par with comparable coatings made of natural stone when the aforementioned guidelines are strictly followed and all components are used correctly (see the video in this article). Furthermore, it costs a lot less in the end than coatings made of natural materials. coating in mosaic

The benefits of a concrete mosaic floor include the following:

• hygienic;
• high wear resistance;
• aesthetics;
• moisture resistance;
• resistance to mechanical impact;
• easy to use coating;
• durability.

Other types of mosaic coatings

The technology used to prepare the mosaic composition is not just applicable to the floors shown above; it can also be used to produce concrete mosaic slabs, cast marble, and decorative elements for public buildings.

Terrazzo or Venetian floor mosaics are one instance of how technology is being used to prepare mosaic solutions. These are floors that allow for a greater variety of design solutions to be implemented and an infinite number of filler compositions with unique decorative qualities to be used.

Terrazzo mosaic coverings

Concrete terrazzo floors are distinct from traditional mosaic floors due to their varied coating composition and thinner layer structure:

1. Cement floor covering consists of a mixture of Portland cement and fillers with a grain size of 20 mm. Optimum layer thickness is 50 mm. After finishing the floor (grinding), the surface is treated with special polishing compounds.
2. Polymer cement coating consists of cement, fillers (fraction 10 mm) and polymer additives. Layer thickness – 15 mm. Finished floor finishing is performed in the following sequence: polishing; impregnation of the coating with polymer compounds.
3. Polymer concrete floor consists of the following components: Portland cement in combination with quartz sand (fraction 2 mm) and polyurethane or epoxy compounds. Mosaic layer thickness – 2 mm. The finishing coating of such a floor consists of transparent polymer compounds.

With the exception of finishing coatings, whose technology is reflected in the design documentation for each type of floor, installing mosaic systems composed of terrazzo concrete is essentially the same as installing conventional mosaic floors.

Concrete mosaic tiles

Another example of applying this technology to create these coatings is mosaic tile floors.

The mixture of white or colored Portland cement M300–M500, multicolored marble chips, pigments, and different chemical additives (plasticizers) is used to create these single-layer or double-layer concrete products. Tiles are made in square shapes with side measurements of 300 and 400 mm and thicknesses ranging from 18 to 35 mm.

Because of their advantageous qualities, mosaic concrete tiles can be used for surface cladding on the inside as well as the outside.

These slabs’ primary characteristics are:

• increased wear resistance of the surface;
• moisture resistance;
• frost resistance;
• coating stability under any mechanical loads;
• high tensile and compressive strength;
• spark safety of the coating;
• high aesthetic indicators of floor coverings;
• easy to operate;
• durability.

Vibration pressing is used to create the slabs, and then the surface is polished and ground.

The coatings are applied over a concrete or cement-sand base. The floor base is primed with cement milk, moistened, and dusted before being faced with such slabs.

An M150 grade cement mortar layer is placed underneath the slabs. The layer is 10–15 mm thick. A 1:1 ratio of liquid cement mortar is used to fill the joints.

Advice: – Because these products are highly porous, the slabs need to be soaked in water prior to laying in order to prevent the cement mortar from drying out quickly when facing the surface.

Concrete mosaic floors provide a special combination of aesthetic appeal and longevity. These floors are a blank canvas for imaginative design in addition to being useful. They are a flexible option for both residential and commercial spaces because they can create amazing patterns and visual effects by combining different materials and colors.

Installing concrete mosaic floors requires a few important steps. For the finish to be smooth and durable, the substrate must be properly prepared. Customization is possible by selecting different aggregates, pigments, and binders to meet various functional requirements as well as stylistic preferences. Because of their versatility, concrete mosaic floors can be used in a variety of settings.

In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, these floors are renowned for their durability and strength. They can tolerate daily wear and tear, are simple to maintain, and are resilient to high foot traffic. They are a desirable alternative for anybody wishing to spend money on a long-lasting flooring solution because of their attractiveness and robustness combined.

To sum up, concrete mosaic floors are a useful and fashionable option for any environment. Because of their customizability, they can serve as a durable and low-maintenance surface while also reflecting individual taste. They offer a classic elegance that endures, whether for a public space, home, or business.

Video on the topic

Device of mosaic polished floors "terrazzo" in the parking lot. Demonstration of the full cycle of works.

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