Installing a Trend terrazzo floor is much simpler than many other types of flooring, which makes it a great choice for both new construction and retrofitting existing homes and businesses.
Preparing the subfloor
Both concrete and cement subfloors are fine as long as they’re clean, dry and completely level. Cement floors also must be at least ¾” thick; if they’re more than 1 ½” thick, reinforced mesh will need to be used. When the surface is too porous or releases a lot of dust, a primer should be used to seal the subfloor and stabilize it, ensuring the adhesive works properly.
If your subfloor is not level, an auto-leveling product should be used before installation to make sure the work proceeds more quickly and accurately, and to ensure the best results.
Preparing the tile
When the tile arrives, open the boxes. If the tiles appear warped, there’s no need to worry: Trend tiles are flexible, and the warping can be easily fixed: Stack the tiles in groups of 20 with the polished sides facing down. Place cardboard strips along the edges of each tile to separate them, and let the “relax” for 12 hours. If the tiles aren’t warped, simply store the boxes upside down, with a few boxes stacked together for 12 hours. Be sure the room temperature remains consistent, between 50° F and 80° F, and store the adhesive in a temperature recommended by the manufacturer to ensure the tile will bond well with the subfloor.
Laying the floor
Once the flooring material and adhesive is prepared, installation proceeds fairly quickly. As tiles are laid, expansion joints should be included every three feet in every direction to allow for expansion and contraction during temperature fluctuations. There will also be structural joints, which should be maintained to the surface level. All joints need to be covered with a combination of polyethylene and a silicon-based product according to how much traffic the floor will receive.
Cement-based grout may be used to close the joints, or you may choose an epoxy grout or a grout that combines a latex base and cement for a more flexible surface.
Remember: These are just general guidelines. Rely on the judgment of your tile installer to make the right decisions during installation, especially when an unusual circumstance arises.
