Microcement
Terrazzo
Venetian polished plaster
Definition of Granito
AD LUCEM offers a contemporary version of the granito, also known as terrazzo, by incorporating in its millimetric microcement mortar small naturally coloured marble aggregates.
A travel through the ages
The granito is a floor covering originated from the Hellenistic period. At that time, the wealthy owners had marble or enamel mosaics used for their floors and the less fortunate were satisfied with more economical aggregates of granite coming from debris of these precious materials.
The remarkable qualities of the granito, especially for its stability in wet environments, made it the main constituent of the floors of the most beautiful Venetian palaces including the Doge's Palace.
At that time the mortar was made of slaked lime and crushed terracotta. The marble chips were sown and beaten in the mortar. The sanding was done by hand with a stone wheel to obtain the required appearance. The finishing protection consisted of a mixture based on linseed oil.
Nowadays, the main binder is cement (white or grey), tinted or not in the mass, with marble chips that are incorporated directly into the mixture.
In France many floors or staircases were made of granito in the years 1920-30. The material then fell into disuse until it was rediscovered by the architectural and decorative circles at the end of the 20th century and is starting its big comeback today.
