Terrasol Colourscreeds can be applied in many different ways. This article explains the differences between them. Basically any floor is applied in 3 layers. The first is the the base layer that normally is a concrete mix using Gabro/Granite stones of 19/25mm and is normally 100 - 150mm thick ( thicker for some industrial floors or multiple stories ). The second layer is a screed to get it to the correct height , this is normally about
25 - 40mm thick the finish can be done with a metal float that gives a fine finish or a wood float that gives a rougher finish. The last is the final layer which can be a tile , a screed , wood or even carpet.

Terrasol screeds can be applied in different stages of the three layers mentioned above. In the first layer a colour can be mixed into the slab using the following methods.

This can be applied as a dry sprinkle layer of Colour Hardner and broadcast at a rate of about 3 -6 kg/m2. After this Colour Hardner is applied a power float is normally used to polish the surface. An alternative is to not power float the surface but to use a bull nose float and use rubber stamp patterns to give the surface some profile finish , a Coloured Release Powder is used to release the rubber stamps off the screed.

A pigment can be applied throughout the mixture , this is an expensive option

In the second layer a colour can be mixed into the topping using the following methods.

A pigmented cement ( normally white cement) called Drymix can be mixed with the correct sand (not wind born sand) , mixed into a "wet" mix and screeded over the base layer to a thickness of about 30mm. This is after the Colour Hardner method the safest method for domestic applications .

In the third or last layer a colour can be mixed into the screed in the following methods :-

The first method is Chromix which is a polymer modified cement based plaster for all types of mineral based flooring substrates internally and externally. Floors requiring a thickness greater than 5mm apply Colourscreed Chromix.

Floors requiring a thickness less than 5mm apply Colourscreed Normal . Colourscreed normal is a much finer product that can be applied from 3mm thick upwards . This is the most vulnerable method because if the the previous two layers have any defects in them then the 3mm screed will not cover the errors. Often crazy cracking happens and even sometimes hollow/cavities occur due to bad bonding of the Colourscreed to the Topping layer. All the above methods require a sealer to seal the screeds . Recommended sealers are Epoxy or Polyurethane sealers.

The last method is using Terrasol Easylay epoxy flooring that has similar Earth tone colours and is applied on top of a wood floated topping layer. This epoxy coating is hard wearing and has a more uniform finish to a sealed screed floor.

The choice is yours