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Anyone responsible for any facet of building management, including facility engineers, building owners and superintendents, property managers, purchasing agents, maintenance personnel, realtors, developers, contractors, architects, and any managerial staff are highly encouraged to attend.

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The TerrazzoShine 5-Step Process

First, we’ll perform a thorough, inspection of your floor to determine the steps needed to restore the terrazzo to its natural luster and character. You’ll receive a written estimate for the restoration.

On your approval, MJA’s TerrazzoShine experts will begin the 5-step terrazzo restoration process:

Step 1: Stripping

• Remove all waxes and residue

Step 2: Repair

• Repair chips.
• Fill nail holes from old carpet tack strips, if any.
• Hand-chisel existing gouges to allow refilling with blended, matching marble chips and concrete colors.
• Remove surface stains.

Step 3: Grinding

• MJA TerrazzoShine craftsmen will use special diamond grinding disks to remove scratches and uneven surfaces.
• The grinding process proceeds with a series of increasingly fine diamonds until the floor is smooth and free of virtually all surface imperfections.

Step 4: Polishing

• When the terrazzo surface has been restored to a smooth, light-reflective condition, we begin polishing with the TerrazzoShine polishing agent, specially formulated for terrazzo restoration.
• If possible, penetration stains will be removed entirely. Stains that cannot be removed without compromising structural integrity of the floor  will be lighter and less noticeable. (Even those stains will honor the history and character of your floor.)
• Polishing continues until the floor is restored to a glass-like finish, allowing it to reflect its natural, old-world beauty.

Step 5: Sealing

• TerrazzoShine’s environmentally friendly thermal sealer is burnished into to your newly-restored floor. This sealer will help maintain the floor’s shine with easy, low-cost maintenance.

The MJA Company’s environmentally-friendly TerrazzoShine thermal sealing process eliminates the need for costly, time-consuming stripping and waxing. You’ll save time and money with TerrazzoShine.

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You’ve most likely heard of the concrete industry’s shift to Type 1L cement. The goal of Type 1L cement, or Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC), is to offer a more sustainable option than traditional Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) by reducing carbon emissions during production – while maintaining similar performance characteristics.

Why the change?

Next to water, concrete is the second most widely used material in the world. That being said, it should not be surprising that the production of concrete contributes roughly 8% of the yearly global CO₂ emissions. More than half of the CO₂ emissions is released during the production of cement which is the primary binding agent used in concrete. During this production process, limestone, clay, and other materials are heated and caused to chemically react. The resulting material is ground in a mill with gypsum, to produce the ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) used to make concrete. It is the energy needed to create the heat and the subsequent chemical reaction that produce the CO₂ emitted by this process. Any lowering of the CO₂ output from the production of cement would produce a measurable effect on the total emissions of CO₂ and thus slow the present rate of climate change. How can we lower the emissions? Simply put, we can reduce the amount of Portland Cement in the concrete.

As an example of this change in the cement mix, Type 1L Cement is made by blending in raw limestone to replace part of the Portland Cement and thus reduce the carbon footprint used to make concrete.

How is Type 1L cement different?

Despite the similarities between Type 1L and Type I/II cements, variations in particle fineness, softness, and limestone levels can lead to differences in the way the material behaves. Knowledge of these performance nuances can help improve material predictability and the quality of the cement paste and finished concrete.²

Today’s Type 1L cement can contain anywhere from 5 to 15% raw limestone, but the eventual goal may be to increase that percentage up to 30%.³ The greater the proportion of limestone in the blended cement, the greater the fineness and total particle surface area of the material. This can cause reduced workability, decreased bleeding, increased water demand, and less desirable finishing characteristics. Failures can include plastic shrinkage cracks, thermal cracks, and a weak and dusty surface. Similarly, as Type 1L cement’s particle fineness increases, set times decrease. The greater the limestone content in the blended cement, the greater the impact on set times.²

How does this impact concrete projects in WNY?

It’s no secret that there are countless factors and conditions that can impact the performance and aesthetics of finished concrete. For example, the temperature and humidity at the construction site can fluctuate not only day to day, but hour to hour. These factors have a direct impact on the timing of and the processes used in the finishing of the concrete slab. Saw cutting the control joints can also be affected. All of this is important in terms of the final finish of the surface of the concrete.

No matter the exact percentage of raw limestone in Type 1L, concrete containing this type of cement may react differently than Type 1 and Type 2 cements – which would require adjustments to the placement of concrete and post placement processes (chemical applications, polishing, etc.).

The difference, when relating to the placement of Type 1L concrete, is that the project managers, concrete finishing supervisors, and the concrete crews have a lot of experience with what will happen under a wide range of conditions with OPC. Type 1L cement will likely introduce new challenges to understand and overcome. Knowledge and communication will continue to be key elements to help navigate this transition.

What are the next steps?

The industry is marking major milestones on its journey to a more sustainable future with the market conversion to lower carbon-intensive Type 1L cement. While the performance attributes of Type 1L cement are similar, much work lies ahead in addressing the impact of differences in material behavior, as new mixes are developed. This work has to be done to provide the industry with the confidence to fully embrace new mix designs.

Updating performance standards and test methods to support the reliable assessment of concrete made with new cement mixes needs to be expedited. Additional clarity is required about material behavior nuances and their impact on fresh and hardened concrete properties. More in-depth investigative research studies are necessary to further assess and verify long-term performance.

Studies around workability (especially with varying cement products), flat surface wear, scaling due to freeze-thaw, test behavior with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and additional refinement test methods for alkali silica reactivity would benefit the industry and help create an even better product in the future.²

Moving forward

The MJA Company continues to monitor the concrete industry and prepare for inevitable changes. The shift to Type 1L cement may be the first of many trends over the coming years. There are other low-carbon cement products being manufactured and tested. With the industry’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050, new processes and products will likely be introduced. Some of these changes will have little impact on how we work while others may require significant adjustments.   

As always, if you have any questions about this topic or any other topic that deals with the treatment, repair, and renovation of concrete floors please feel free to call 716-831-7091.

1 Portland Cement Association – https://bit.ly/3R6wfNP
2 CTLGroup – https://bit.ly/3FvLeyk
3 Prosoco, Inc. – https://bit.ly/41IJXvc

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1. Surface Preparation: Properly prepare the surface by cleaning it thoroughly and removing any debris, dirt, or existing coatings. Any cracks or holes should be filled and repaired.
2. Moisture Barrier: Apply a moisture barrier if necessary, especially if the concrete is on-grade or susceptible to moisture infiltration. This prevents moisture-related issues such as mold, mildew, and flooring delamination.
3. Grinding or Polishing: Depending on the desired finish, you may choose between grinding or polishing. Grinding removes imperfections and creates a smooth surface suitable for epoxy coatings or other overlays. Polishing involves multiple steps of progressively finer grinding to achieve a glossy finish.
4. Sealing: Apply a quality concrete sealer to protect the surface from stains, water penetration, and abrasion. Sealers come in various types such as acrylic, epoxy, polyurethane, or penetrating sealers. Choose the appropriate sealer based on the specific requirements of the commercial space.
5. Decorative Options (Optional): For aesthetic appeal, consider adding decorative elements such as stains, dyes, or aggregates during the finishing process. These options can enhance the appearance of the floor and provide unique design possibilities.
6. Regular Maintenance: Establish a routine maintenance schedule to preserve the integrity and appearance of the concrete floor. This may include regular cleaning, resealing as needed, and addressing any issues promptly to prevent damage.
7. Safety Considerations: Ensure that the finished floor meets safety standards, especially in commercial settings where foot traffic is heavy. Consider adding slip-resistant additives to the sealer if the floor will be exposed to water or other slippery substances.

By following these steps, you can achieve a high-quality finish that meets the functional and aesthetic requirements of your commercial space. If you have any questions about your concrete floor project, we’d be happy to share insight – please contact us.

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