In the past, the screed market was dominated by the use of concrete and liquid screed. Screed installation was a time consuming and labour-intensitive task that many contractors dreaded.
However, as we will discuss in this article, the development of the liquid screed industry has solved many of the problems that contractors used to face. But it’s not just beneficial for them. Liquid screed can be a quick and efficient solution to your flooring or construction projects. Let’s explore why:
Concrete screed is used to form a thin, top layer over a structural substrate such as concrete subfloors. It is traditionally made up of a 1:3 or 1:4.5 ratio of cement to sharp sand. Its purpose is to provide a flat and smooth surface so that finishing materials like carpet, tile or wood boards can be laid on top of.
The screed is laid on the surface by manually mixing and shovelling the screed mix across the intended area. Then a screed bar is used to level out the screed. It takes a lot of effort to achieve a smooth and high-quality finish with this method. The problem with cement is that as the material dries, it starts to shrink. The amount of shrinkage can be hard to estimate and compensate for. From the thickness, ratio to the temperature and humidity, all of the above can adversely affect shrinkage rate.
Liquid screed, also called self-levelling or flowing screed, is a calcium sulphate composition combined with water to produce gypsum or even anhydrite screed. Anhydrite screed refers to the mineral – anhydrous calcium sulphate – which is used, but its properties are similar to gypsum.
Flowing screed is used for both commercial and domestic building projects to apply floor finishes. It can be either bonded directly to the surface substrate (i.e concrete) or remain unbonded using a membrane between the screed and the substrate. It’s often used in combination with under-floor heating systems for the reasons we will discuss below, but for the time being, all you need to know is that liquid screed can create incredibly level and durable surfaces for flooring.
Conclusion
In summary, liquid screed is a far superior option for flooring in commercial and domestic buildings. As we covered, it is faster, more heat efficient and smoother than traditional screed options. Nevertheless, if you want the best flooring outcome from your project, you need an experienced contractor for the job. UK Screed LTD provides Liquid Screed, Underfloor Heating, Floor Sanding, and Pump Hire Specialists to cater to all your questions and screeding needs. So whether you need liquid screed in Bristol or flowing screed in Gloucestershire or anywhere within our 200-mile catchment radius, with 15years of experience in the industry, UK Screed LTD is here for you.