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Choosing the Right Screed for You

Many builders rely on traditional speaking floor screed. Made by mixing cement and sharp cement, such a screed is sturdy and has the trust of many. However, times have changed, and people have realized that traditional screed is not the most efficient way to do it.

While efficient and versatile, traditional screed takes a lot of time to settle in, with 1 mm of screed taking a day to dry. It leads a 50mm thick screed to take 50 days to dry. However, impatience runs high in many construction projects, leading many to overlook the dryness and uneven floors.

Therefore, when selecting the right screed, decide how much you have to lay each day. Different types of screeds have different requirements. If you neglect to pay attention to that, the screed won’t dry properly. Consider the thickness and type of screed based on your time requirements beforehand. Here are the rest of the details to keep in mind.

Types of Screeds to Consider

Five types of screeds are there, each having a specific function.

Bonded Screed

It is bonded to the floor using a primer or a substrate agent and is good for thin flooring. It is durable and can hold up heavy objects. Their minimum thickness is around 25mm.

Unbonded Floor Screed

It is not directly bonded to the floor but is separated by a membrane. It can level itself and is made out of sand and cement with occasional calcium sulfate added. Its minimum thickness is 50mm.

Partially Bonded Floor Screed

If you are looking for affordable floor screed options, partially bonded can be your go-to screed. The trade-off is that it is not very durable, and you need at least 50mm of it to ensure it doesn’t break. For additional protection, it must be laid on a rough slab.

Liquid screeds or Cemfloors

Liquid screeds are novel screeds. They dry fast, set fast, and can be more expensive than the traditional screed. That said, because of the less time it takes, you’d offset most of the labor costs. It is the best screed in the market, capable of handling everything from domestic to commercial traffic.

Floating Screed

You apply this screed over insulation. However, care must be taken because it can crack due to shrinkage. You must use the right edging foam or insulation to prevent that.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Screed

Time

Do you need the floor laid quickly? Are you willing to wait? It is the most common and critical factor when considering a screed. As we already mentioned, different types of screed take different types to dry. Liquid screed – fast drying screed – doesn’t take 24 to 48 hours, making it the quickest drying screed in the market.

On the other hand, traditional screed dries at a pace of 1 mm per day, taking 50 days for full drying. That said, there is a trade-off. Liquid screeds can be expensive, while traditional screeds are not.

Durability

Changing the floor screed is not something you can do every season, and you need to give it time to dry, and once it dries, the screed should be durable enough to handle the foot traffic. For instance, foot traffic on residential property would be far less than a commercial property. Add to that, commercial traffic would also have heavy machinery, which would require a stronger, more durable screed. Choosing a fast-drying screed may be more expensive, but it is more durable, not need you to repeat the same process for years to come.

Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is the most undervalued factor considered when choosing floor screeds. However, its popularity has grown, especially in commercial properties. Liquid screed is the best option in this situation. It has less depth and higher thermal conductivity, with no air voids around the pipes or throughout the screed. 

Conclusion

Choosing the right screed is often difficult. However, this guide gives you enough details to get started. Assess your requirements and your budget before deciding. And call us if you have any more queries.

Embracing environmental friendliness with liquid screeds

There are several options out there that can get used for enticing the surface flooring. One of these options is using liquid screeds. These help offer a smooth, level surface before applying floor finishing or polishing. At the outset, these are a preamble to adding the final texture and feel. These are apt for both commercial and residential outlets.

The essence

Today, liquid (or flow) screeds have become standard flooring options. Liquid screeds are a thick liquid mix that gets applied by pouring or pumping from a mixing truck straight onto the area of concrete that needs covering. These then are dappled using a dappling bar, ensuring to find their levelling without leaving any air bubbles or faults. Upon drying, the final flooring, be it tiles, carpet, wood or laminate, is laid on the top.

The composition

At the outset, liquid screeds get made of a sand and cement mixture. There are two primary types of liquid screeds - cement-based and calcium-sulphate or anhydrite screed. The liquid screed tends to be fine, easy to pour, and hence, sets smooth. Also, it is possible to add other things for decorative purposes or to strengthen the screed itself. Some of the options are shingles, stone or coloured glass.

Environmental-friendliness

With climate change and energy efficiency at the forefront of conversations, here is an assessment of what liquid screeds can offer.

Liquid screeds have high thermal conductivity. This aspect helps spread underfloor heating across the surface area, making the premises more energy-efficient. Easier for levelling, liquid screeds can be thinner, requiring fewer resources and less energy during production. A standout is that nearly 40 percent of recycled material gets used in liquid screeds.

A speciality of anhydrite screed is its high gypsum content. Additionally, it produces less CO2 than traditional sand and cement. ‘Green floor’ for consumers and producers. Everybody wins! Nonetheless, all liquid floor screeds help conserve energy costs. The reason is that flowing screed encases the pipes closely, rendering better thermal transfer from the heated pipes to the rooms above. Using liquid screeds marks a progressive step in combating the common conundrums - sustainability and climate change.

Any specific areas of use?

Although liquid screeds can get used anywhere, there are a few out-and-about peculiarities. It is a good bet in environments subjected to high temperatures. In residential buildings, these are particularly effective when laying new floors on top of existing ones. A word of caution - do not leave the screed floor uncovered. Also, liquid screeds are not ideal for damp areas such as wet rooms and bathrooms.

In the dry

A pertinent inquiry that merits consideration is the time taken for drying. There is no unanimous answer. Much depends on the mix and conditions inside the building. It may be dry enough to endure light footfall within 24 to 48 hours. However, seven days is the minimum before installing anything heavy or permanent. Anhydrite screeds can sometimes get force-dried with underfloor heating. Cement-based needs time before turning on the heat. It is imperative to know which type one possesses and then leave it to dry as per the laid-in instructions.

Driving the wave of environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient flooring, Screedeasy has much to offer. Their team of experts possess the requisite know-how and execution proficiency.

The Difference Between Concrete and Floor Screeds

Concrete and screed are widely used in the construction industry, so how do they differ?

You need to combine cement, water, aggregates, and sometimes admixtures to make concrete. It is frequently employed in constructing foundations, floors, walls, and trusses. However, the screed contains no water and is made from a thinner mixture of cement and other particles. Underlayment and floor finish is frequently used together as a levelling layer.

As a general rule, the thickness and composition of concrete and screed are the fundamental differences. Screed and concrete are widely utilised in the building sector and have certain similarities. Cement, water, and aggregate are the essential ingredients (sand, stone or gravel).

However, there are some substantial distinctions in how they are used in construction. Screed is put to a concrete subfloor as a top layer surface and is used for building and structural purposes.

How Do Concrete And Screed Vary Physically?

Cement, water, and aggregate make both floor screed and concrete. Differences in aggregate type are the most significant variation between these two approaches.

Hardcore materials such as gravel are added to the concrete mix while preparing it. These little gems are typically no larger than 20 millimetres in diameter, and this is ideal for structural work because of their strength, longevity, and ease of use. As a side effect, the mixture becomes coarser.

It’s not the same aggregate used for screeds, which are made of sand and cement. You can mix fine, sharp sand, with a maximum grain size of roughly 4mm, into the cement. These specific characteristics make it the perfect choice for a concrete floor finish because of its fine, densely packed texture.

How Do Screed Concrete And Regular Concrete Differ In Appearance?

These two materials can differ in numerous ways. The coarse, hard core particles in the former give it a rougher texture than those in the screed. Even the untrained eye can notice gravel and stone fragments in the cement.

Screed, which resembles mortar but is finer-grained, is more suited for use within the home. As a result, a final floor finish with a smoother surface can be applied. Like dried-up hard-packed wet sand, its surface texture is coarse but refined simultaneously.

How Much Concrete Or Screed Should You Use?

With a specified thickness of at least 100mm for home usage and up to twice that thickness for areas with intensive use, concrete is typically laid significantly thicker than screed. The screed can be as thin as 50mm or as wide as 100mm (on average, 75mm).

Depending on the type of screed you’re using, the location, the expected foot traffic, and the desired finish, the appropriate screed layer thickness will change.

What Is The Purpose Of Concrete And Floor Screed?

With its tremendous compressive strength, concrete is an excellent building material. Additionally, this artificial material is long-lasting, non-combustible, and durable. Additionally, it is an extremely versatile product that may be used in applications from large-scale construction projects to small-scale house renovations.

In addition to these purposes, it can be used for:

  • Walls
  • Driveways
  • Foundations/Footings
  • Patios
  • Roads
  • Pilings
  • Flooring
  • Drainage layers
  • Car parks

Instead of being used as a structural material, sand is placed on concrete floors as the top layer over the slab. Depending on your choice, it is possible to lay down a layer of screed before laying down a final floor covering like wood, resin, linoleum, or tiles. It’s built to last and can handle heavy foot traffic and regular use.

Protecting and levelling the floor will help it endure longer. Underfloor heating systems frequently use it because it’s highly insulating.

Screeds can be divided into three broad categories. The base can be glued directly to the bonded screed if desired. An unbonded screed is usually laid unbonded over a damp-proof membrane or as a floating screed layer on top of the insulation, such as a floor with underfloor heating. It is possible to add fine metal mesh or glass mesh to screeds to make them sturdier.

Benefits of Concrete and Screed

Because of its tremendous compressive strength, concrete is an excellent choice for construction. It can be found in many construction projects, from retaining walls and roadways to piling and flooring.

It is not only solid but also long-lasting, cost-effective, and valuable in a variety of contexts. A fire would be less likely to spread if it is non-combustible. The essential advantage is that volumetric mixers can batch it to your precise parameters and quantity.

When it comes to interior flooring or surfaces, screed is commonly used to smooth out any lumps or bumps. When it comes to concrete, screeding isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade; it may also extend the life span of concrete by creating an impermeable layer that protects the floor from the rigours of heavy foot traffic.

In commercial settings, screed is often used as a finish since it is both attractive and valuable. Resin flooring, for example, can be applied over it as a final floor finish. Underfloor heating pipes benefit greatly from screed’s qualities as an insulation material.

Concrete and Screed Additives

The characteristics of screed and concrete can be altered by adding admixtures. Adding plasticisers to screed can improve workability, bonding, shrinkage, or damp-proofing properties. We can employ admixtures to either speed up or slow down the setting process in some cases. You can add fibres and retarders to your screed products to keep them working for longer.

What to Consider Before Hiring Your Liquid Screed Expert

Thinking of renovating your home? If so, you must be looking for a liquid screed expert who can help you with the project. But before hiring any contractor, there are certain things that need to be considered. Need some guidance? Here are some tips on how to find the right liquid screed expert.

Do your research before hiring any screed expert

Whether you know what you need, or you need an expert to help figure it out for you, the first step is always to do your research. You won’t be able to evaluate your screed expert unless you know a fair amount about the field.

Once you have shortlisted a few companies who seem like they might be able to help with your requirement, take some time to check out how other clients have fared with them in the past.

Also, go through their website. Any screed expert worth their salt should have a website that provides at least basic information about the services they provide. If they don't, then it's probably not a good idea to hire them.

Think of it this way: a true professional will always invest in themselves and their business before expecting their prospective clients to do so.

Check the service provider's online profile

It is worth checking with several screeders to see how long they have been operating and whether they have built up a good reputation with previous clients. Whether you are looking to hire a plasterer or flooring expert, always check for references, testimonials, and reviews.

Screed experts will also often post client testimonials on their websites or social media pages. Look for a company with happy past clients and glowing reviews — these are indicators of true professionals who know how to do good work, communicate well with clients, and deliver projects on time and within budget.

Most importantly, ask for a list of completed projects so that you can reach out to the clients and find out whether the company has done a great job in the past or not. This way you will be able to feel confident about investing your money in them.

Check the company's accreditation and insurance status

Whether you are constructing a new house built or renovating an existing one, one of the most crucial steps in hiring a liquid screed expert is checking the service provider’s qualifications.

You want someone with experience and training for the job. You also want someone with the proper insurance coverage so that you are not liable if something goes wrong. This will ensure that you don’t end up paying more than what you signed up for.

Look for experience

Experience will always matter when it comes to liquid screed. It is only through experience that a company can learn the best techniques and practices for pouring floor screed.

The number of years a company has been in business is an indicator of its capabilities. The more years a company has been operating, the more likely they are to deliver high-quality services due to its experience in various areas of floor screeding.

Don't stay fixated on discounts and offers

Many companies offer super low prices to attract customers. But they do this by cutting corners — and in the case of liquid screed, this can mean that the job will be poorly done or the quality of the screed itself may be poor, which may even lead to problems with your floor after the screed has been laid.

It is a better idea to pay a bit more for a trusted company that uses high-quality materials and takes the time to do your job properly than to spend more on the rework.

Ask questions!

We cannot stress enough how crucial it is to ask relevant questions about everything from the quality of products being used to the benefits of the products. Make sure you and your liquid screed expert are on the same page regarding expectations for the finished product.

Ask if they offer any guarantees or warranties! If a problem does arise later down the line, you want to be sure that your liquid screed expert will take responsibility for it.

Finally, make sure you get an estimate of how long it will take for your flooring project to be completed. While deadlines are not always a guarantee, it is good to have an idea of how long things will take so you can plan accordingly.

The power of screeds with floor cleanups and underfloor heating

The history of underfloor heating dates back to the Neoglacial and Neolithic periods. Today, the modern-day underfloor heating systems use either electrical resistance elements or fluid flowing in pipes. Essentially, the Underfloor Heating (UFH) system gets embedded within the screed, and any issues with either affect both.

Yet another reason for the popularity of underfloor heating is the drive towards ‘greener’ building systems. This is now applied in varied sectors, including education, leisure and residential.

What are the causes of underfloor heating failure?

Typically, these are attributable to any of the following:

  • Lack of address to the floor layout at an early stage
  • Failure to address the floor finish early
  • Incorrect installation of the UFH system or screed
  • Inappropriate screed mixture
  • Excessive moisture in the screed

Types of Screeds

At the outset, screeds come in varied categories. The most common variants are:

  • Bonded Screed. The screed layer is fully stuck to the substrate using a primer or bonding agent. This method is ideal for thinner screeds that involve heavy leading. It is also best to use when there is insufficient space available to lay an unbonded screed. Now, bonded screed can be sand or cement, and the optimum thickness ranges between 25-40 mm.
  • Unbonded Screed. These screeds get applied over a damp-proof membrane (DPM). This screed gets laid on top of the concrete base. Note that the minimum thickness of unbonded sand and cement screeds are usually around 50 mm. However, there are exceptions! Calcium sulphate unbonded screeds require a minimum depth of 30 mm. The flooring does not come in direct contact with the structure. Hence, the potential impacts of settlement or shrinkage are deemed less problematic. Here, the DPM forges a barrier that prevents the damp from rising from the substrate. Another aspect is it is prone to curling if dried quickly. However, calcium sulphate screeds are not susceptible to curling.
  • Floating Screed. This one gets laid on top of the insulation. The objective is to create a thermally-efficient floor. This type of screed gets used where the UFH systems are provided or acoustic insulation is required. Here, the sand and cement screeds have a thickness greater than 65mm for lightly-loaded floors and 75mm for heavy-loaded ones. Once again, calcium sulphate screeds are the exception! These can get installed at 35mm for domestic use or 40mm for commercial applications.
  • Flow/Liquid Screeds. This is poised to become the industry standard in floor screeds. The floor type is also known as self-compacting screed or calcium sulphate screed. This flow screed is best for light-foot traffic in 24-48 hours. Plus, partitions can get installed, or the screed can get loaded out a week post-installation. Note that most screeds get applied as floating screeds. This method is the most practical for placing on top of underfloor heating and insulation solutions.

General application guidelines

Several pointers are integral when ensuring that a floor screed gets successfully applied over the underfloor heating. These are:

  • Before the installation process, ensure the area is smooth and flat. A flat and smooth surface helps ensure the installation sits level. Also, the correct screed zone/floor buildup is made available before installing the underfloor heating and screed package.
  • The correct screed must be specified; to the right thickness. One should also consider heat output, point loading, size and scale of the floor area and the floor finish. The design of the UFH depends on the screed type and the need for thermal movement, which causes expansion.
  • Make sure to install expansion and perimeter strips as per the project specification. Also, the screed must be mixed and applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • When it comes to the placement of movement or expansion joints, typically thought out during the design stage, one must carefully consider the screed and underfloor heating. Doing so is deemed integral for mitigating the cracking in the screed.

Preventing your floor from screed issues

Applying screed to the floor requires that you meet the below conditions. There are specifics that need to be taken care of as well. But, at the outset, the basics are next.

  • First, the substrates must be level. There must be no pockets or high spots. This renders even thickness to the screed.
  • Also, the insulation must be tightly-butted together and level.
  • Keep pedestrians at bay during the drying period
  • Abort constructing screed during cold weathers of less than 5°C
  • Movement joints shall be required if Bay sizes exceed 40m2
  • Adhere to specific drying times. Much depends on the type of screed used.

Additional Considerations

Another crucial aspect is understanding the impact of underfloor heating on screeds. And, even more so, how those screeds react to the heating output. Design parties with a vested interest in the heated subfloor zone approach the task with unique perspectives and knowledge. Also, UFH gets consideration because of the mechanical and electrical (M&E) plan. The objective is comfort for the building user. The screed helps accommodate floor finishes and the loadings of a building. Also, it is not uncommon for experts to look at cracks seen as a fault of the screed. Mostly cracks are a symptom of subfloor zone problems. In this stead, repairing a crack is not the immediate answer. The more pressing issue is to find the cause and then repair it.

At the end of the day
Remember that size and shape of the rooms and corridors shall determine the design and installation of the UFH and screed systems. One must look for any movement joints designed in the screed. Yet another aspect is flexible insulation. Also, corridors and door thresholds require individual joints after laying the screed. If you are dazed or doubtful about underfloor heating and floor cleanup, Screed Easy provides a team of specialists that possess the requisite tools and experience for getting the job done.

 


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