AGGREGATE: A granule, other than marble, used in the topping, i.e., abrasive, quartz, river gravel, synthetic types, etc. For our purpose, marble will be referred to as “chips.”

ART MARBLE: Artificial marble; precast terrazzo.

BONDING AGENTS: Materials generally applied to “thin-set” terrazzo: i.e., latex, epoxy, or other types of adhesives. Used to increase adherence of the terrazzo mix to an existing base slab, also known as primers.

BROKEN MARBLE: Fractured slabs of marble (not crushed by machines into chips.)

CHIPS: Marble granules screened to various sizes.

CLEANER: A neutral liquid cleaner used to remove accumulated surface dirt.

COLOR PIGMENTS: Inorganic matter used in the terrazzo mix to vary the color. A powdered substance which, when blended with a liquid vehicle, gives the matrix its coloring.

CONTROL JOINTS: Allowance made by use of a strip, saw cut or other device to allow for movement without damaging the terrazzo.

CURING: The maintaining of proper moisture and temperature conditions necessary for the normal hydration of portland cement to take place.

GROUT: A mixture of the paste used as the binder and sometimes color pigment applied to the floor to fill the voids and pits after rough grinding.

MARBLE: A metamorphic (recrystallized) limestone, composed predominantly of crystalline grains of calcite or dolomite or both, having interlocking or mosaic texture.

MATRIX: The portland cement and water mix or non-cementitious binder used to hold the marble chips in place for the terrazzo topping.

MONOLITHIC: Cementitious terrazzo topping applied to structural slab provided by others.

PANELS: The spaces formed by the divider strips.

PLATE NUMBERS: Numbers appearing adjacent to the various terrazzo illustrations in the NTMA Terrazzo Information Guide. Often used in lieu of formulae in job specifications.

PRECAST: Fabricated in molds, and finished in a shop or factory, by a compression and vibratory method.

SCREED: To level the top of a mortar bed with a wood or metal straight edge.

SEALER: A required protective coating or treatment which precludes foreign liquid or matter from being absorbed, by closing the pores in the surface.

SURFACING: The grinding, grouting and polishing operations on terrazzo topping.

SWIRL MARKS: When using fine polishing stones in the final stage of finishing the terrazzo, it is normal to expect swirl marks. These markings will disappear rapidly with normal maintenance procedures and foot traffic.

SLIP-RESISTANT PROPERTIES: It is normal that the final polishing of Terrazzo be completed with fine polishing stones to meet the requirements of a safe walking surface. Sealers should be U/L listed as “Slip Resistant.”

TESSERAE: Thin slices of marble, colorful stone, or glass like highly colored vitreous enamel material cut into squares or other shapes of any size. Used in mosaic work.

THINSETS: Terrazzo systems which can be applied in a thin cross section (3/8 inch or less) over concrete or other suitable substrates.

TOPPING: The wearing surface of the terrazzo floor.

UNDERBED: Cementitious materials to support divider strips and terrazzo topping.