Liquid screed, also known as flowing screed, is a modern and efficient alternative to traditional sand and cement screeds. It is used to create smooth, level floors in both residential and commercial settings. As a floor screeding expert, I will outline the key advantages of using liquid screed in your construction projects.
Key Advantages
Quick Installation
Liquid screed can be poured and spread quickly, covering large areas in a short amount of time. This efficiency reduces labour costs and speeds up the overall construction process, making it ideal for projects with tight deadlines.
Self-Levelling Properties
One of the standout features of liquid screed is its self-levelling capability. Once poured, the screed flows and levels itself, creating a perfectly smooth and even surface with minimal manual intervention. This ensures a high-quality finish suitable for various floor coverings.
Thin Application
Liquid screed can be applied in thinner layers compared to traditional screeds. This is particularly advantageous in renovations where floor height is a concern. The reduced thickness also means faster drying and curing times.
Excellent Thermal Conductivity
Liquid screed offers superior thermal conductivity, making it an excellent choice for underfloor heating systems. It efficiently encapsulates the heating pipes, ensuring even heat distribution and improved energy efficiency.
High Strength and Durability
Despite its thinner application, liquid screed provides high compressive and flexural strength. This durability makes it suitable for areas subjected to heavy foot traffic and load-bearing applications, ensuring a long-lasting flooring solution.
Minimal Shrinkage and Cracking
The composition of liquid screed reduces the risk of shrinkage and cracking during the drying process. This results in a more stable and reliable floor base, reducing the likelihood of future maintenance issues.
Improved Surface Finish
Liquid screed creates a smooth and level surface that is ideal for the installation of various floor coverings, such as tiles, vinyl, carpet, and laminate. The improved surface finish also reduces the need for additional levelling compounds, saving time and costs.
Reduced Drying Time
Liquid screed typically has a faster drying time compared to traditional screeds. This allows for earlier installation of floor coverings and reduces the overall project timeline, enabling quicker occupancy and use of the space.
Eco-Friendly Option
Many liquid screeds are manufactured with environmentally friendly materials and processes. Additionally, the energy efficiency gained from improved thermal conductivity contributes to a lower carbon footprint for the building.
Liquid screed contractors
Liquid screed, also known as flowing screed, is a type of floor screed that is becoming increasingly popular in construction projects. Here are some of the benefits of using liquid screed:
- Speed and efficiency: Liquid screed can be quickly and easily poured onto the floor surface, which makes it a faster and more efficient option than traditional sand and cement screed. It can also be installed in larger areas without the need for expansion joints.
- Smooth and level surface: Liquid screed is self-levelling, which means that it can create a smooth and level surface without the need for extensive manual labour. This makes it a good option for floors with complex shapes or uneven subfloors.
- Thermal conductivity: Liquid screed has good thermal conductivity, which means that it can help to improve the energy efficiency of a building by providing effective insulation and reducing heating costs.
- Drying time: Liquid screed has a faster drying time than traditional screed, which means that the floor can be ready for the final flooring installation sooner. Depending on the type of liquid screed used, it can dry in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
- Reduced thickness: Liquid screed can be applied in thinner layers than traditional screed, which can help to reduce the overall weight of the floor and make it easier to handle. This can be particularly beneficial in buildings with limited load-bearing capacity.
Overall, liquid screed is a versatile and efficient option for creating level and smooth floor surfaces with good thermal conductivity. It is particularly well-suited to large and complex flooring projects and can help to reduce installation time and costs.
Friendly expert advice
Speak to Tristan or Liam about your screed requirements on 01933 716018 or fill out the contact form below. We look forward to hearing from you.
Applications
Liquid screed is versatile and can be used in a variety of settings:
- Residential Properties: Homes and apartments where a smooth, level floor is required for various coverings.
- Commercial Buildings: Offices, retail spaces, and public buildings that benefit from quick installation and high-quality finishes.
- Industrial Facilities: Warehouses and factories where durability and load-bearing capabilities are crucial.
- Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals and clinics where a smooth, hygienic surface is necessary.
- Educational Institutions: Schools and universities that require efficient and durable flooring solutions.
Liquid Screeds (aka flowing screeds ) fall into two main categories.
- Anhydrite ( Gypsum / Calcium Sulphate, rather than cement )
- Cementitous ( A mix of sand, cement, screed binder & water )
Liquid Screed is ideal for Underfloor heating ( UFH )encasing underfloor heating pipes, creating a fantastic void free medium for absorbing and then radiating heat.
They can be laid a lot thinner than traditional screed with no need for reinforcement and over 5 times the volume can be installed in a single day. Other benefits are shown in the table below.
- Rapid installation
- Delivered to site pre mixed and pumped in directly
- Can be laid a lot thinner than traditional screed
- Increased thermal conductivity
Professional floor screed services in Northamptonshire
Our floor screed services. Click images for more information
Liquid Screed
Traditional screed
Fast drying screed
Underfloor heating screed
Fibre reinforced screed
Self-Levelling screed
Advantages of liquid screed
Anhydrite screed
Gypsum (calcium sulphate) rather than cement
- Fast installation : Over 5 times the volume ( Compared to Traditional Screed ) can be installed in a single day
- High strength : Stronger than sand cement screed. No additional reinforcement required
- Thermal Conductivity : Increase underfloor heating efficiency. No voids in the finished screed
- Low shrinkage : As liquid screed requires fewer construction joints, there is less shrinkage
- More sustainable : High percentage of recycled material. Does not contain cement
- Hygienic : Unlike sand cement screeds flowing screed is 100% protein free, making it ideal for application in medical or other areas of hygienic importance as it cannot harbour bacteria
Cementitious
A mix of sand, cement, screed binder and water
- Fast & easy installation : Much faster than traditional screed
- Reduced drying times : Can take foot traffic after just 24-48 hours
- High strength : Stronger than sand cement screed. no reinforcement required
- Thinner : Can be laid at much thinner than traditional screed
- Thermal Conductivity : Increases the efficiency of Underfloor Heating and there is less chance of damage to pipes
- Low shrinkage : As liquid screed requires fewer construction joints, there is less shrinkage
- Smoother surface : No Surface Laitance formed after curing
