The Venetian Floor (Terrazzo) or Seminato with Cement Method

This technique was first introduced at the beginning of the 1900′s, when cement was applied as a bounding element. The novelty was that you could obtain a vast range of chromatics in the decorations, not only by altering the colour of the marble but also that of the binding iron oxides.

This method can be divided in four phases:

How to obtain the foundation [ phase 1 ]

In order to obtain the foundation, a mixture of cocciopesto and sand is needed – with granulometries which vary from 4mm to 12mm in size – this in mixed in with the cement. After laying down the mixture, the flattening procedure follows using the roller (around 90 kg) and iron (a metallic bar with a handle). After, this procedure is again repeated and is followed by another pressing which prepares the mixture for the setting of the mosaic decorations.

Marking out the decorations [ phase 2 ] The decorations are drawn firstly on tracing paper, and this is then perforated and settled onto the foundation. Afterwards white lime is deposited into the openings using the sprinkling technique, and then the paper is removed.

Setting of the decorations [ phase 3 ] On the “sprinkling” (spolvero) layout of the design, the paste is laid down which holds the marble cubes in place. The decorations are normally carried out on the spot , but at times when they’re more complex they are done in a laboratory on a glass fibre net.
Afterwards the cement and grit is applied. A flattening procedure using a roller is used to consolidate the grit and eliminate any excess cement.

Smoothing [ phase 4 ]

Dealing with mosaic floors in cement, the drying process requires around thirty days. After which the smoothing procedure follows. Subsequently, the linseed oil is applied once the floor is dry, and finally after a short period of time the refinement and shining (with wax or lead) procedure takes place.

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