Opus signinum

Signinum Opus (Latin for " work from Signia " place in the Lazio region, now called Segni ) denotes a waterproof floor for the cleaning of floors and walls, since the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD BC was in the Roman architecture in use.

It consists of a mixture of coarse and fine sands, mortar, clay and gravel, terracotta or ceramic fragments. The so- plastered surfaces were then coated with a layer of linseed oil, slaked lime in red wine, wax and tar and processed until the surface is smooth as marble was.

The waterproof feature is based on the insolubility of calcium soaps, which is also used in the Tadellakt plastering technique.

Widespread acquired Opus signinum as the simplest and most primitive form of flooring design in Roman houses. For this purpose, were assembled into unstructured surfaces or ornamental mosaics in the floor white or black (rare colored ) stone cubes, pebbles or shards.

In addition, Opus signinum found due to its impermeability to water in the expansion of aqueducts, pools and fountains application.