« Linoleum Kitchen Flooring | Main | PEI Scale »

Diato Flooring

Diato flooring is an old way, that's making a come-back, of laying a seamless flooring to resemble Mediterranean flooring. It's made of magnesite, a magnesium carbonate mixture, blended into a magnesite screed (much like concrete floor screeds) and used for a wide range of applications. Applications include magnesite decking, industrial flooring, magnesite tile, office flooring, and residential flooring. It's especially valuable in hard-to-work areas like stairs and curving floor patters. Though diato is making a come-back, magnesite repair in California and other states where it was popular, is still hard to find. Composition magnesite flooring makes beautiful seamless floors you can design for your own custom look.

Diato, or magnesite flooring, was very popular in the 1930's to 1950's. One of the great benefits of magnesite floors is the fact that it is easy to work with and easy to sculpt and mold for use on stairs and around hard-to-tile areas.

>

Creating the right color to give the custom floor that you desire is another bonus. It is widely seen in homes of Mediterranean-, Spanish- and Art Deco-style homes. It can mimic many different flooring types by being etched or stamped in magnesite marble designs or magnesite tile designs. This is why it is sometimes difficult to ascertain what kind of flooring it is.

What is magnesite? Magnesite flooring is composed of magnesium carbonate along with other materials, and was first used to form dentures for people. Magnesite was also commonly used as flooring in warships because it is spark resistant and extremely durable. It is mostly seen in older Spanish style homes and in many cases, the homeowners are even unaware of what kind of flooring it is until they call in a flooring professional for repair or maintenance of the floor. Magnesite repair in California is very common, as many of the older homes have beautiful magnesite floors hidden under linoleum and carpet.

Magnesite flooring differs from other types of flooring in many different ways. One of the most obvious ways is the installation of magnesite flooring. Magnesite is a poured flooring, much as concrete is poured, rather than being manufactured in strips, sheets, or tiles that need to be installed. It offers seamless floors, which many people will find to be a great benefit. The pouring of the magnesite floors also makes it much easier to install on steps and other difficult areas. Lines or designs can be etched or stamped directly into the magnesite floor, which many times will make the magnesite look like marble or tile flooring even though it is not. The colors range from a reddish terra cotta color to greens and golds.

Magnesite is also used as industrial flooring. Its durability and ease of maintenance makes it a wonderful choice for Spanish or Mediterranean style restaurants or other businesses. The water and fire resistant qualities, as well as unparalleled durability, make it a feasible choice for industrial, retail, and residential use. The ease of maintenance is also another great benefit to this seamless flooring.

Diato, or magnesite flooring, is making a comeback. The durability and ease of maintenance of this wonderful flooring causes many homeowners to consider installing magnesite flooring in their own home or business. The downside is that it will have to be installed by a professional installer -- who may be hard to find today -- but the benefits of this beautiful flooring will far outweigh this disadvantage. The durability of magnesite flooring will ensure that your investment is worthwhile, and the ease of care will help you to enjoy your flooring for years to come.

Comments

Vanjuan, what territory do you work in? Only California, or do you go elsewhere in the US? And if you don't go outside the LA Basin, do you know of other Magnesite Diato contractors?

Anonymous at August 3, 2008 11:10 AM


HI, I am contacting you from Middle East. My friend owns a magnesite property but the magnesite rock has three sets of joints so it is not possible to make tiles and slabs by sawing. I would like to know, how to use this kind of magnesite in flooring?

Mian K Habib at August 6, 2008 01:32 AM


Hello Mian,

I wouldn't have a clue how to use this particular magnesite for flooring. I don't about actual methods for cutting or cleaving in a manufacturer's setting. This site is designed to help others with flooring issues, not manufacturing. Sorry I couldn't help.

The Flooring Lady at August 6, 2008 11:06 AM


I've googled magnesite flooring, as I have 3 floors in my house that are original (circa 1929) and found quite a bit of info on it, but no one actually doing repairs or sealing it in the Northeast or then again pretty much anywhere in general. I'm also trying to test the floor from below to see if radiant heat will be an option as the magnesite is roughly 1/2 to 5/8 thick and whether the heat will pass through it.

Jim Bates

Jim Bates at August 15, 2008 04:45 PM


Hi Jim,

The gentleman who posted from Beverly Hills, CA, might be able to help you with some information. I don't know of anyone in the NE who could help you, but maybe this gent has. If nothing else he might be able to help you with some of your questions regarding radiant heat.

The Flooring Lady at August 16, 2008 12:21 AM


I have magnesite flooring that I would like to have repainted. Does anyone do that?

Lois Laughlin at January 25, 2009 02:34 PM


I would think that you could find somebody to do that, you could ask local contractors or try google. I have to wonder though - why would you want to paint it? I would think one would rather try restoring it. Just curious.

The Flooring Lady at January 29, 2009 11:47 AM


Where can I buy 20 or 30 pounds of magnesite powder, either a store or on-line ?

Frank Richmond at June 26, 2009 04:58 PM


Hi Frank,

I do not know. I would suggest doing a Google search.

The Flooring Lady at June 29, 2009 11:52 AM


I have contracted magnesite flooring installation for over40 years. Still at it. aleieritz@yahoo.com Contact if you need help.

LeRoy Leieritz at August 1, 2009 04:26 PM


See all 15 comments...

Post a comment




Remember Me?

(you may use HTML tags for style)


Copyright © 2005-2009 by Sage Blossom Consulting, Ridgway Colorado.
All Rights Reserved worldwide. May not be copied, stored or redistributed without prior, written permission.