27 Jun What are Microaggregates in Terrazzo?
What are Microaggregates?
Microaggregates are very fine terrazzo chips smaller than the traditional standard aggregates. Microaggregates expand terrazzo design options by allowing a blend of chips as small as size #0- (zero-minus) or #00 (double zero), enabling more flexibility in the terrazzo appearance.
Chip size is one factor to consider when planning a terrazzo design. In this blog post, we’ll address specifying smaller aggregates for terrazzo applications. You will learn:
- How microaggregates compare to standard and Venetian chips
- Why designers prefer smaller aggregates
- Key limitations and cautions to know before specifying micro terrazzo
- Available colors, materials, and design options
- Sourcing aggregates from TERRAZZCO Brand Products.
How Do Microaggregates Compare to Standard and Venetian Chips in Terrazzo Designs?
Standard aggregates are chips sized from #0 to #2, and are the ideal sizes used for terrazzo floors. Venetian aggregates are larger, ranging from size #3 to #8.
Microaggregates are crushed finer than the smallest standard chip size and are not typically used as the dominant chip in a terrazzo mix. Download our Aggregate Brochure for more details.
What Colors and Materials are Available in Microaggregates?
TERRAZZCO aggregates come in a variety of colors, and specific aggregates are crushed into fine-graded terrazzo chips. Microaggregates are available in specific types:
- Marble Chips
- Granite Chips
- Clear Glass Chips
- Plate Glass Chips
- Mirror Glass Chips
Each is crushed in-house for size precision and color consistency. See TERRAZZCO Samples for design ideas.
Why Some Designers Prefer Small Aggregates?
Terrazzo is a fully customized product. Some designers choose smaller aggregates, like microaggregates, to achieve:
- Reduced visual “noise” compared to larger chips
- Monochromatic or minimalistic designs
- Finer details in logos, patterns, and inlays.
However, micro terrazzo is a specialty product and should be used strategically and with full awareness of limitations.
Micro terrazzo (in red) using dark red glass and clear plate glass
What Designers Should Know Before Specifying Microaggregates?
While microaggregates can offer beautiful design results, they come with unique technical and performance considerations
Performance and Cost Considerations
- Higher installation cost compared to standard 3/8″ epoxy terrazzo floors
- Greater labor is required for grinding, grouting, and polishing
- Higher material costs due to more processing to achieve specific sizing
- Finer aggregates cause more pinholes, requiring additional grouting phases.
Technical Guidelines (Per NTMA and Industry Best Practices)
- Epoxy terrazzo must maintain 70% chip density, making micro terrazzo more resin rich
- Trying to space out chips with fine chips risks material failure. Instead, consider a standard-size clear glass aggregate or an aggregate that is similar to the color of the epoxy to help create the illusion of negative space.
- For epoxy terrazzo floors, a max of 50% of the aggregate blend should be fine chips (#0 or smaller)
- Cement terrazzo systems are not recommended for 100% microaggregate mixes
- Discoloration, dust contamination, or chip dislodging may occur if best practices are not followed
Recap
Key takeaways on microaggregates in terrazzo:
- Terrazzo aggregates come in various size grades, including microaggregates, which are the smallest size available
- For epoxy terrazzo floors, standard aggregates (size 0 to 2) work best. Microaggregates should be used sparingly, making up no more than 50% of the mix design
- Micro terrazzo costs more and requires a highly skilled terrazzo contractor to execute the installation.
At Concord Terrazzo Company, we find innovative ways to use our TERRAZZCO® Brand Products to revolutionize the terrazzo industry. We crush over 30 tons of aggregates daily, supplying our marble and glass chips to contractors in the terrazzo, polished concrete, resin-bound paving, and construction industries. If you are seeking a bulk supply of our aggregates, then contact Concord Terrazzo Company today at info@terrazzco.com to receive more information.
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Concord Terrazzo Company crushes, processes, and distributes aggregates across the Charlotte, NC area, and nationwide.
We ensure you get the best quality of material delivered to your location on time at a fair price. Review our supply of marble, glass, Mother of Pearl and recycled aggregate options.