Terrazzo – Quarzkiesboden Zimmermann https://www.quarzkiesboden.de/en/ Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:53:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.5 https://www.quarzkiesboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-cropped-cropped-QZ-LOGO-32x32.png Terrazzo – Quarzkiesboden Zimmermann https://www.quarzkiesboden.de/en/ 32 32 3 alternatives for exposed screed – microcement, terrazzo and mortar flooring https://www.quarzkiesboden.de/en/3-alternatives-for-exposed-screed-microcement-terrazzo-and-mortar-flooring/ Sat, 30 Oct 2021 12:16:48 +0000 https://www.quarzkiesboden.de/3-alternatives-for-exposed-screed-microcement-terrazzo-and-mortar-flooring/

A good floor needs a stable foundation. In most cases, this foundation is screed. This is why we have already written about basic questions on the subject of screed in the previous parts of our series of interesting facts and presented a wide range of screed variants. But screed also plays an important role in other respects today: an ever-growing target group is asking for polished concrete-look floors as a top floor. However, the professional installation of this type of exposed screed presents a number of challenges. In this third part, you will find out which systems screed layers can use to easily create attractive exposed screed surfaces and polished floors.

Contents

Compacting screed

Why exposed screed is so popular

Whether decorative surface or utility floor: The basis of a long-lasting, stable floor is a well-laid screed. In this context, “good” does not mean “visually flawless”, as the screed is usually no longer visible once a construction site has been completed. Slight unevenness, for example, is evened out by the top floor, so that the screed and visible floor together form a system of stability and appearance.

For some time now, loft-style rooms have become increasingly popular. There are usually two responses to the desire for concrete-look spaces:

Screed as an exclusive decorative floor?

On the one hand, it is precisely the appearance of a screed surface that the customer is looking for – modern, easy to combine, visually suitable for living and utility areas. An exclusive product is expected here, which is not possible with a simple construction site screed. a finished design floor must be absolutely uniform and have a perfect wall connection. At this point at the latest, it becomes clear that the creation of an exposed screed requires a different material and different work steps than a subfloor. And that leads us to the second reason: the price.

Screed as a cheap top floor?

In addition to the visual appeal, the supposedly lower costs for exposed screed are often cited. Since only one more layer is needed – so the thinking goes – and screed costs are comparatively low per square meter, this is a sure way to get a really cheap floor.

But this is a misconception! On the one hand, creating an exposed screed surface takes considerably more time. The floor is laid, sanded and finally sealed. Good craftsmanship has its price, which is of course many times higher. On the other hand, the materials used to create exposed screed surfaces cannot necessarily be compared with those used for a simple screed subfloor. For example, gravel with a grain size that starts at less than one millimeter and ends at around 8 mm is used for the usual cement screed. It should be clear that with such widely varying gravel, the result is not a visually uniform surface. Consequently, a second layer is necessary for an even surface.

Regardless of whether the subfloor and the visible surface are laid in one or two separate work steps – the combination of material, work and drying time always results in significantly higher costs.

Should I therefore refrain from having a screed layer install a top floor?

We think so: No! After all, how pleasant is it to get everything from screed to the finished flooring system from a single source? The polished design floors from Quarzkiesboden Zimmermann in particular – Qubo® Terrazzo and Qubo® Mikrozement– draw on the strengths and existing tools of screed layers and enable them to make optimum use of their skills to offer interested parties an ideal overall concept for their floor.

For the customer, this means less coordination work, less waiting time and one point of contact for everything to do with the floor. The screed layer completes several consecutive work steps on a construction site, allowing him to better optimize his work planning and the work itself on the construction site.

Qubo® Terrazzo & Microcement - the seamless coating systems for grinding experts

Qubo® Microcement and Qubo® Terrazzo are the ideal coating systems for screed layers. Qubo® Microcement is the perfect alternative for floor and wall surfaces with a concrete look. But it also has so much more to offer! The Qubo® microcement coating is applied to walls and floors in several layers and sanded smooth. Each layer can be customized with colour pigments to create unique designs – from the ultra-modern loft style to a cloudy sky in shades of blue to a futuristic design, there are virtually no limits to the imagination. Qubo® microcement is also ideal for wet areas such as showers. The material is very easy to work with a build-up layer of just 2-3 mm and can be easily combined with wall or underfloor heating.

For lovers of classic elegance, Qubo® Terrazzo is the first choice. Here, the terrazzo flooring known since antiquity is combined with modern technology to create a timeless, beautifully polished floor. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend towards terrazzo floors. One of the reasons for this is that they are much more flexible and easier to work with than traditionally produced terrazzo. Qubo® Terrazzo uses new binding agents that set more quickly. This results in a significant time saving of up to six weeks compared to conventional terrazzo floors. It is also in no way inferior to conventional terrazzo in terms of abrasion resistance and load-bearing capacity.

Ortsterrazzo
An old, traditionally produced local terrazzo with mosaic decoration
Grinding terrazzo
Here a Qubo® Terrazzo is ground in a garage

The lasting visibility of the small stones after sanding is the deliberately intended look of seamless Terrazzi. The look adds flair to living areas as well as exhibition spaces and areas with high visitor numbers. Here, selected marble gravel is applied similar to a stone carpet surface, filled with a cementitious compound and sanded to a smooth surface. It may then be polished and, depending on the design, sealed accordingly. The combination of a Qubo® Terrazzo with underfloor heating offers additional living comfort. This unique floor covering offers
countless design options for a sophisticated living style.

Both systems are also characterized by their high proportion of natural materials and exceptional durability. The long durability of the seamless Qubo® surface coatings in particular ensures an excellent price-performance ratio. Their easy cleaning and hygiene properties in particular make them extremely suitable for use in hospitals, care homes and the pharmaceutical industry. The food industry, hotels and restaurants also benefit from these advantages in terms of cleanliness and hygiene.
*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***

Qubo® mortar floor - another alternative for exposed screed

Another alternative to exposed screed is the Qubo® mortar floor. As with a classic stone carpet, quartz gravel and binder are mixed together, applied as a smoothing compound with a trowel and compacted. Unlike stone carpets, however, much finer gravel is used here. Different grading curves between 0.4 and 2 mm not only give the mortar floor a look similar to screed, but also its exceptional load-bearing capacity and resistance. The integrated pore seal and the fine surface structure make the mortar floor particularly easy to clean. Of course, it is also suitable for use on underfloor heating.

Visually, the same freedom applies here as with stone carpets: the simple concrete look is just as possible as the scattering of fine colored quartz and the combination of bright colors. The result is a much more even surface than a normal cement screed – thanks to the fine, even grain size.

With our alternatives to exposed screed, you are opting for quality and durability in every case and also ensuring …

… for a strong appearance!

]]> Different screed types for jointless floors from the Qubo® system https://www.quarzkiesboden.de/en/different-screed-types-for-jointless-floors-from-the-qubo-system/ Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:23:25 +0000 https://www.quarzkiesboden.de/different-screed-types-for-jointless-floors-from-the-qubo-system/

The first part of our screed series dealt with fundamental questions about screed. We looked at how screed is produced, whether it is suitable for underfloor heating and why a screed is a good prerequisite for our Qubo® floor coatings such as stone carpet, microcement, epoxy resin and Qubo® Terrazzo. In this section you will find an overview of the different types of screed and their properties.

Contents

Grinding terrazzo

Differentiation of screed types according to their binders 5 different screed types

The binder is the main component of the screed. It also consists of an aggregate, water, additives and admixtures. There are five different types of screed based on the binder

  • cement screed
  • calcium sulfate screed / anhydrite screed
  • mastic asphalt screed
  • magnesia screed
  • synthetic resin screed
Strip screed

Concrete screed

The classic screed type is the cement screed. It is produced by mixing gravel in various grain sizes (from fine to usually 8 mm), water and cement. It is most commonly used in private and commercial applications. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and can be produced in several strength classes. Once hardened, it has the advantage of being resistant to water. Cold and heat are also no problem. It is also inexpensive and suitable as a heating screed.

Calcium sulfate screed / anhydrite screed

Anhydrite screed is no less widespread than cement screed. It is also known as calcium sulphate screed, as the binding agent here is calcium sulphate. This is burnt gypsum. In addition to gypsum, the anhydrite screed consists of water and a few additives.

It is dimensionally stable, largely free of cracks and can be walked on very quickly. Anhydrite screed is easy to work with as it is very easy to apply and remove. The hardness of calcium sulphate screed can be increased by adding synthetic resins. As it is thermally conductive and causes little tension, it is often used as a heating screed in drywall construction despite its limited heat resistance. Unlike cement screed, however, it is not suitable for damp rooms or for laying outdoors, as gypsum easily absorbs water.

Caution! From a health point of view, it is to be classified as questionable if the calcium sulphate was obtained artificially and the screed contains many chemical additives.

Mastic asphalt screed

In contrast to other types of screed, mastic asphalt screed is deep black. This is due to its binding agent, bitumen, which is obtained from the distillation of crude oil. Sand, grit and stone powder are added to the bitumen to create the mastic asphalt screed.

It is applied at high temperatures between 220 and 250 degrees Celsius. As a result, this type of screed does not need to be compacted. There are also no long drying times. Other advantages of the not-so-cheap mastic asphalt screed are as follows:

  • It is ready for occupancy after just one day
  • It is suitable for wet rooms and outdoor areas
  • It is heat and footfall sound insulating


Compared to other types of screed, it requires comparatively low installation heights. Due to its elasticity, it hardly reacts with stresses when temperatures fluctuate.

One disadvantage is that its processing can produce emissions that are harmful to health.

Magnesia screed

Also known as stone wood screed, magnesia screed consists only of organic and not artificial additives. This is why it is often used in old building renovations or ecological new builds. However, when laying the magnesia screed, it is important to ensure that the room temperature is not below 10 degrees Celsius. The room should also be dry. It also does not tolerate moisture during and after the drying phase.

Once the screed has been laid, it can be walked on approximately two days later and can be loaded after a further three days. Further advantages of this ecological screed are that it can also be used to lay large areas without joints. The screed can be colored on request. Shrinkage cracks rarely occur.

Synthetic resin screed

To produce the synthetic resin screed, synthetic resin mortar is mixed with a synthetic binder such as epoxy resin or polyurethane, as is the case with many of our decorative floors*. Quartz sand is added as an aggregate. Synthetic resin screed is a so-called bonded screed. This means that it bonds firmly with the substrate.

This screed must be mixed specifically for the intended construction site and is not easy to work with, which is why the work should definitely be carried out by a professional. At the end of the day, however, its advantages outweigh its disadvantages: It is very robust and hard-wearing as well as insensitive to moisture and cold.

* Our decorative floors include stone carpet, microcement, epoxy resin and Qubo® Terrazzo.

Differentiation of screed types according to construction & function Screed on insulating layer: Floating screed or heated screed

The purpose of this type of screed is to improve the thermal insulation and impact sound of floors. As the screed slab can be moved in all directions after installation, this is also referred to as a floating screed. A screed produced on an insulating layer is movable on its base and has no direct connection to walls or other components such as pipes or supports. For this reason, compressible plastic strips must be installed as an edge boundary to the walls.

The nominal thicknesses for cement screeds on insulating layers depend on various factors. These include the use – heated or unheated screed – the bending tensile strength of the screed, as well as the type and thickness of the insulation layer.

If heating elements are installed in the screed or the insulation layer, this is known as a heated screed.

Screed on separating layer

Here, the screed is separated from the load-bearing substrate by a thin multi-layer intermediate layer. A screed on a separating layer is used if no thermal or sound insulation is required. It is usually used for basements, balconies and terraces.

The structure is similar to that of a floating screed. A separating layer made of polyethylene film or raw glass fleece, for example, is applied to the unfinished floor. With the exception of mastic asphalt screed, the separating layer is applied in two layers. This reduces friction on the substrate and prevents anchoring points caused by displacement of the separating layers during the installation phase. The final waterproofing layer serves to protect against moisture penetrating from the floor.

In addition, small floor irregularities can be evened out by installing a separating layer. The thickness of the subsequently applied flowing screed depends on the binder used. For cement screed, the thickness should not be less than 35 mm. For calcium sulphate and magnesia screed, the thickness should be at least 30 mm, for mastic asphalt screed 25 mm and for synthetic resin screed at least 15 mm.

Composite screed

This type of screed is particularly suitable for high loads. The bonded screed is directly connected to the floor below and this is one of the reasons for its high stability. It is a simple and cost-effective option if a sound and heat-absorbing intermediate layer is not required. This is why it is often used in basements and garages.

As the screed of this type lies directly on the substructure and must be firmly bonded to it, it is ideally created using the wet-on-wet method: The bonded screed is applied while the cement-bound substructure is still damp. In order to achieve good adhesion and avoid expansion cracks, the material properties of the screed should be as identical as possible to those of the substructure.

Hard aggregate screed

Hard aggregate screeds are mainly used as industrial screeds in garages, warehouses and production halls. The screeds used in heavy-duty industrial applications are also known as hard aggregate screeds, as they contain hard materials that are particularly resistant to abrasion. These include natural stone, metals, slag, electrocorundum and silicon carbide. They are divided into three stress groups. Suitable binders are cement, magnesia, mastic asphalt and synthetic resins. Cement-bound hard aggregate screeds are applied in a single layer in a bond or in two layers on a separating or insulating layer. The requirements for the transition layer under the hard aggregate screed layer are precisely described in the standardization for the two-layer design. The thickness of the hard aggregate screed layer depends on the load group and the strength class required and varies between 4 and 15 mm depending on the hard aggregates used.

Industrial screed

Compacting screed
Compaction plays an important role in the stability of many types of screed

When it comes to renovating old buildings or floors subject to particularly high levels of stress in industrial and commercial buildings, it is all about professional, efficient solutions that can only be carried out by a qualified master craftsman. Our partners in the use and production of special screeds offer you professional advice and implementation of your special requirements. This includes the creation of epoxy resin screeds, rapid and drainage screeds, lightweight screeds, fillers and concrete smoothing. But our sanding experts are also the first choice when it comes to creating and sanding our Qubo® Terrazzo.


Due to the special requirements that an industrial screed must fulfill, it is also referred to as a commercial screed.

An industrial screed has the following tasks:

  • resistance to chemicals and acids
  • accessibility for forklift trucks etc.
  • slip resistance
  • wear resistance
  • stability
  • abrasion resistance

An industrial screed can be made from cement, mastic asphalt or synthetic resin.

Differentiation of screed types according to production

Construction site screed

When we talk about screed in general, we usually refer to building site screed. It can contain different binders. From calcium sulphate to magnesia and cement. This type of screed is either freshly mixed on the construction site or delivered as a prepared screed. The screed layer spreads the screed mortar damp on the floor and then removes it with a special tool. This procedure must beabsolutely straight and accurate so that no unsightly unevenness forms at the end of the day and is transferred to the floor that is laid later.

Flowing screed

Due to the physically extremely strenuous processing of the building site screed, flowing screed is often preferred nowadays. When using it, there is no need to level the screed horizontally. The mass practically levels itself thanks to gravity. The fact that the screed flows so well is due to the addition of a superplasticizer, which is homogeneously mixed with the screed material in a mixing pump. The air pockets are then knocked out with a whisk. This allows the screed to be poured onto the floor without any further aids.

Although the flowing screed does not have to be spread, compacted, rubbed down and smoothed mechanically or manually, it is better not to underestimate this process and hire a professional.

Dry screed

If the floor covering needs to be laid quickly, laying dry screed is the perfect solution. This is usually the case if you are planning the new construction, extension or conversion of a room or an entire house and you only have a short time window. In addition, dry screed does not introduce any additional moisture into the building structure, as is the case with flowing screed.

In contrast to flowing screed, the specialist does not apply the dry screed as a mass on site, but lays it as individual panels. These are part of the dry construction method and usually consist of gypsum and a cementitious layer.

Other advantages of dry screed include the fact that it dries within 24 hours, requires only a minimum installation height and is temperature-independent. It is quick and easy to handle and is suitable for a wide variety of floor coverings.

Preview - Alternatives for exposed screed from Quarzkiesboden Zimmermann

All of the screed types described here form a base for the subsequent top floor. This distinguishes them from another, special variant that we have not yet looked at: The exposed screed. This is very much in vogue and is desired by many builders. However, there is often a discrepancy between the idea and the reality. That’s why we present alternatives to exposed screed in the third part of our series at. These will not only help you avoid potential misunderstandings during the construction planning stage, but will also ensure that your home …


… for a strong appearance!

]]> What is screed? – Level subfloor for stone carpet and 3 other Qubo® floors https://www.quarzkiesboden.de/en/what-is-screed-level-subfloor-for-stone-carpet-and-3-other-qubo-floors/ Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:38:13 +0000 https://www.quarzkiesboden.de/what-is-screed-level-subfloor-for-stone-carpet-and-3-other-qubo-floors/

It lies at our feet and yet we don’t really notice it – the screed! Yet it has important tasks to fulfill. Because it serves as a subfloor for laying flooring. It is practically the substructure of our decorative flooring*. It compensates for height differences in underground garages, living spaces etc. and conceals cables and pipes. In this first part of our screed series, you will find important information on the production and use of screeds.

* Info: The decorative floors from the Qubo® system include the microcement floor in concrete look, the classic stone carpet and our epoxy resin and terrazzo coating . Many screed layers are already laying our Qubo® floor coatings, as the necessary skills and equipment such as grinding machines are already available. Simply ask your installer or contact us at .

Contents

Screed underfloor heating

What tasks must a screed fulfill? What is screed?

Screed refers to the floor structure as a level substrate for applying floor coverings such as our Qubo® coating systems ( stone carpet , microcement , epoxy resin floor , mortar floor and Qubo® Terrazzo). One of its basic tasks is to level out unevenness in the floor. Even in new buildings, floors are rarely exactly level. Above all, however, the screed must fulfill its function as a load distribution layer. It also acts as thermal and impact sound insulation. Heating, thermal and sound insulation can be installed underneath it. The screed protects the heating elements of an underfloor heating system from everyday loads.

Production from mortar How is screed produced?

The screed is made from screed mortar. This consists of an aggregate, usually sand, and a binding agent. This can be cement, calcium sulphate, magnesium oxide, bitumen or epoxy resin, for example. Alternatively, dry screed can also be used, which is made from prefabricated panels.

An overview of the areas of application for screed from our installation partner Estriche Robert

9 Examples of installation Where is screed used?

  • New & old building
  • Substructures
  • Balconies
  • Terraces
  • Conservatories
  • Garages
  • Industrial & commercial halls
  • Basement
  • Damp rooms

Later use influences the choice Which screed is the right one?

The choice of screed depends on the intended use. The wide variety of screed types offers the right variant for every area of application. If you are clear about the function and, above all, the place of use, you will know relatively quickly which screed is suitable. This is because the products differ in terms of how they are applied and how the floor can be built on top of them. For example, the subsequent use on the terrace is different to that in the living room or bedroom. If in doubt, the screed layer is of course the contact person of choice here. As many installers already lay top floors such as our Qubo® Terrazzo, stone carpet and microcement in addition to the subfloor, you can also get advice on your floor during the consultation. This way, you get the entire flooring system from a single source.

When is it accessible? How long does screed have to dry?

The drying time of screed cannot be generalized. Depending on the type, this can range from a few hours and days to several weeks. The thickness of the screed layer, the temperature and the humidity also have an influence on the drying time. Adsorption dryers can be used to shorten this time. Some screeds can be walked on before the end of the final drying time. However, complete loading before the end of curing should be avoided.

Opting for a heated screed The perfect combination: screed & underfloor heating

It is practical to combine the installation of underfloor heating with the laying of the screed. A heated screed is constructed as follows: An insulating layer is laid on the concrete floor or floor slab. The heating screed is then applied on top of this. The heating pipes and coils of the underfloor heating can be laid either in or under the screed. By heating the entire surface of the screed, it becomes a huge, walkable radiator.

If the underfloor heating is in the screed, the top floor acts as a heat accumulator. Accordingly, floor systems that can absorb a lot of heat are particularly suitable here. As our trowel and sanded floors such as Qubo® Terrazzo,
microcement and stone carpet are made of natural stone, they have an optimum heat capacity, making them ideal for use on underfloor heating systems.

By the way: Did you know that underfloor heating can be auch in bestehende Böden einbringen kann? Dazu werden Vertiefungen in den alten Boden gefräst, dann Heizschlangen eingezogen und verspachtelt, damit die Tragfähigkeit gewährleistet ist. Zuletzt wird ein neuer Oberboden aufgebracht. Das spart Abrissarbeiten und Arbeitszeit.

What factors determine the price? What does a screed cost?

The price is made up of two factors. It depends on the selected type and the installation costs. In view of the wide range of screed variants, the different materials and binders, the different areas of application and the laying time, it is almost impossible to give a general indication of the costs. With personal advice from a screed layer, you are on the safe side when it comes to planning your screed, the costs involved and the design of your future top floor.

For an overview of many different types of screed, it is worth taking a look at the second part of our series of articles in the interesting facts section.

We will be happy to help you find a suitable screed installer who also installs our Qubo® coating systems. Please contact us by phone at or by e-mail at. We will then work with you to …

… for a strong appearance!

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