A Beginner’s Guide to Floor Screeding
If you are new to construction work, a floor screed is a mixture applied as a top layer over concrete or insulation. Unlike concrete which is a structural component, floor screeding has a decorative and insulating function but it’s not a legal requirement. Yet, screed floors can be found in millions of homes and commercial buildings across the UK and there’s a good reason why.
Read along to find out more!
Why should you screed your floor?
Yes, floor screeds are neither required by law nor have a structural function but that doesn’t mean that they don’t bring various benefits to the table. From comfort to durability and soundproofing, here are the top four reasons why you should invest in a high-quality floor screed to finish off your new floor:
Even Floor Surfaces
Uneven floor structures can be a true nightmare if you are planning to add a modern finish to your floor, whether it’s natural stone, wood or carpet. By screeding your floor first, you ensure that any differences in the thickness of the cement surface are levelled so you can achieve the desired final look.
Improved Heating Qualities
Flowing floor screeds can be poured over underfloor heating pipes to boost their thermal qualities. The material both absorbs heat from the pipes and transmits it into the room creating a heating effect.
Impact Sounds Insulation
Some types of floor screed can be installed between the structural base of the floor and the decorative finishing layer to create a soundproofing effect. This reduces the impact sound of footsteps on the floor for maximum comfort.
Durable Floor Finish
High-quality screeding can be a floor finish in its own right. If done correctly, it will be smooth and durable enough for internal use in residential buildings. In a commercial setting, you will require a stronger, commercial-grade screed to withstand heavy foot traffic.
Getting the floor screeding thickness right
Getting the floor screeding thickness right is key to achieving excellent results. However, the thickness required will vary depending on your specific requirements.
Generally speaking, traditional sand and cement screed would have a thickness of 50mm but if the screed is bonded (laid directly onto the floor structure), the bonding agent may only require a much thinner 10mm layer to be applied.
Unbonded screed (where there is a thin membrane separating the floor and the screen) calls for at least 30mm thickness to be efficient. Certain mixtures can be applied up to 80mm thickness but any more could compromise the structural integrity of the floor.
Floating screeds (where the screed is placed over acoustic or thermal insulation) vary in thickness between 35 – 75mm. Commercial buildings will always require thickness closer to the maximum for a more robust flooring.
As the minimum and maximum thickness differs between the different types of screed and what they are used for, it can be confusing if you are a DIY enthusiast. If that’s the case, a professional screeding expert would be able to advise you on what the most suitable options is based on the individual requirements of your building project.
Mastering the Floor Screeding Mixture
With a usual cement to stand ratio of 1:3, traditional cement-based floor screeds have a dry consistency and a low water content. Making the mixture is a laborious process that requires a lot of skill and experience. Due to the manual nature of the task, you can often run into problems with inconsistency in the screeding mixture.
Cement floor screeds are a cheaper solution and they have been used for years due to their durability. However, from cracks in the floor to the whole top layer of the floor collapsing unexpectedly – a lot can go wrong if you don’t mix your screed properly.
There are a few ways to avoid such issues:
- Ready-mixed screed: Pre-mixed screeds with added retardants are a popular choice for construction sites where large quantities of the screeding mixture are needed
- Liquid screed: Liquid screeds are a modern alternative to the traditional cement and sand mixture; their main benefit is that they have a significantly shorter drying time
- Floor screeding contractors: The easiest way to avoid problems is to hire a professional floor screeding contractor to do the job
If you are planning on having floor screeding done, whether it’s a DIY project or if you are looking into booking a specialist screeding service, make sure that the screed used is high-quality and from a reputable brand. With quick-drying and highly durable solutions available on the market, there’s no reason why you should settle for less than the best.
How much does it cost to screed floors per m2?
There are a few things to consider when calculating how much screeding a floor would cost – the price of your chosen screed mixture, the size of the floor and labour costs (if you are hiring a professional).
Traditional cement screeds are usually priced at around £15 per m2 while flowing screed is a little bit more expensive and is usually sold at £17 -20 per m2.
Screeding contractors charge a labour fee of about £10 – £14 per m2 and which makes for a day rate of about £80-120 per person. A handy screeder should be able to cover about 70m2 in a day.
Knowing all of this should be able to estimate the rough cost of floor screeding for your project. However, any professional screeder should be able to offer you a clear estimate before you hire them so that you know exactly how much you’ll have to pay.
Looking for a competitive quote on high-level professional floor screeding services? Get in touch with AB Drylining at enquiries@abdrylining.com or call our team on 01225 941006 or 07983879762 for a quick no-obligation estimate.
