Types of Floor Screed: Which Do I Need?

Applying a floor screed is often the most exciting part of a project (this is when your build finally starts to take shape and looks like a completed room) but deciding which types of floor screed to use can be difficult. Whether you’re choosing a floor screed to use with a specific type of flooring or you need a screed that can cope with heavy industrial loads, it’s essential that you choose the right type. From traditional cement-based screeds to modern, self-smoothing formulations, we’ll help you to choose the right type to suit your application.

Types of Floor Screeds Available

While new floor screed formulations are being released onto the market regularly, there are typically two types of floor screed available:

Dry Sand Cement Screed – This floor screed is typically laid to 75mm and can be mixed on site or delivered in trucks if you need larger volumes for your project.
Flowing Screed – Flowing screeds are based on a cement or anhydrite binder formulation and are usually laid between 35mm and 50mm. These floor screeds are pumped directly from a truck and finished using a dappler to create a smooth finish.

Factors to Consider

Choosing the most suitable type of floor screed will depend largely on a number of factors, including:

The type of application. Will it be residential, commercial, or industrial?
What is the existing substrate and how old is it?
What is the intended function of the finished floor?
Will underfloor heating be present?
What will the final floor covering be?
How soon must the floor be ready for traffic after installation?

Answering these questions as accurately as possible will help you to not only choose the most suitable screed for the job at hand but also choose a screed that lasts for many years.

Concrete Floor Screed

Also known as traditional floor screed, concrete floor screed is a mixture of sand, cement, reinforced fibres and a minimal amount of water. It’s the most cost-effective of all floor screeds and suitable for all medium traffic applications that will receive a floor finish.

From residential settings to schools, concrete floor screeds are a great choice and are suitable for a range of floor coverings including carpet, vinyl, and wood. The majority of concrete screed applications are ready for light foot traffic within 24-48 hours and site traffic within 7 days. Concrete floor screeds may be laid bonded, unbonded, partially bonded or floating and can be used with underfloor heating systems.

Fast-Drying Floor Screeds

Thanks to special additives, fast-drying floor screeds are perfect if you need to apply floor coverings soon after installation. In fact, drying times are reduced to mere hours compared to other types of screeds. They are especially suitable in commercial settings, such as workshops and shop floors, where long drying times could seriously impact project delivery. Fast-drying screeds can also be applied to areas where heavy foot traffic will be present, such as arenas, airport terminals, hospitals, and stadiums.

Liquid Floor Screeds

Also known as free-flowing screeds, liquid screeds are ideal for projects that require a level and smooth surface before floor finishes are installed. They are compatible with underfloor heating and will help to improve the efficiency of these systems. Liquid screeds also offer minimal drying shrinkage and are ready for light foot traffic within 24-48 hours. They can be installed at a fast rate and can also be force-dried for even quicker drying times.

Liquid screeds are suitable for use in flats, apartments, new builds, extensions, and wet rooms. They can act as the finishing layer to internal floors or provide a level surface for tiles, wood flooring, carpets, and resin coatings.

Latex Floor Screeds

$Types of floor screed: Latex floor screed$ When you have uneven floors that need to be leveled and prepared prior to floor covering application, latex floor screeds are a good choice. They have a protein-free composition and are a good choice for areas where hygiene is a priority, such as food prep areas and hospitals. Latex floor screeds are also fast-drying and are the perfect solution for many residential and commercial projects. They are also suitable for use with underfloor heating.

We Specialise in All Types of Floor Screed

When you are looking for the highest quality floor screed, a flawless finish, and fast drying times, speak to the team here at Screedafloor. From traditional and cement screeds to heavy duty and fast drying formulations, we offer the perfect mix to suit your project. Get in touch to find out more.