When it comes to screed floors there are a few different ways of tackling the fabric build up depending on the surface you are trying to encapsulate.
Below we will look at the different types, there best uses, what is manageable for DIY enthusiasts and when you should leave it to Professional tradesmen.
Towards the bottom of this page is a table showing how best Liquid Level Pro is best suited to each category of screed.
Different types of screed are:
- Sand Cement base (compacted)
- Self Levelling Compound (thin set, typically 1-10mm)
- Renovation/Cementitious Flow Screed (self compacting 3-50mm)
- Anhydrite Flow Screed (self compacting)
Sand and cement are traditional components for creating a screed floor. Screed is usually composed of sharp sand, cement, and water, mixed in a ratio of approximately 1:3 or 1:4 cement to sharp sand. Various additives can be incorporated to enhance specific properties, such as quicker drying times, better thermal conductivity for underfloor heating, or greater strength. The standard process for laying this type of floor typically involves setting it to a depth of approximately 60mm, though not exclusively, using rails that are preset to the desired finished floor height. As the screed is applied, it is tamped down to ensure thorough compaction and levelled for a even finish.
Self-levelling concrete is a polymer-modified cement that has high flow characteristics, it’s used in the preparation of laying most floor coverings to create a smooth and level surface. These are grate for taking out small undulations within an existing floor base before tiling or laying other floor ware coverings. However due to the lack of fibrous material they can only be laid to a maximum of 10mm at a time, they can be feathered into an existing floor giving a near seamless joint. Furthermore they can also be used to encapsulate electric heat mat installations providing a safe barrier it and the final ware covering.
Renovation/Cementitious Flow Screed is a high flow, fibre-reinforced, self-levelling compound designed for refurbishing existing floors in commercial and domestic settings, and it can be applied by whisk mixing then pouring (ideal for DIY) or with a pump when large volumes are required. Used for interior levelling (although exterior grades are available), smoothing and infilling differences in thickness from 3 to 50 mm. It can be laid to a greater height by installing in layers-priming in between. Its greatest versatility is that it can be used on a wide range of bases after priming including new or existing concrete, screeds, stone, terrazzo and ceramic tiles, old and new timber floors, floor boards, chipboard panels, plywood for use in dry locations as an underlayment for floor finishes such as tile, stone, vinyl, carpet and wood flooring. Renovation Screed is suitable where good resistance to loads are required. Due to its hard wearing nature, although not a wearing finish in its self, it is very much suitable for castor wheel traffic, underfloor, under tile wet and electric heating systems.
Anhydrite Flow Screed are manufactured from a recycled calcium sulphate binder, selected aggregates and additives to produce a free-flowing, self-compacting screed. Flowing screeds are engineered to create a flat surface in commercial and residential buildings before applying floor finishes. They can be applied as bonded, unbonded, or floating layers and are especially compatible with underfloor heating systems. Available in different mix designs, flowing screeds are incorporated into numerous building systems to provide tailored solutions. Flowing screed, in contrast to sand cement screeds, is completely protein-free. This characteristic makes it an excellent choice for use in medical facilities or any setting where hygiene is paramount, as it does not support bacterial growth. The self-compacting quality of flowing floor screeds, along with the gypsum crystallization process, delivers superior compressive and flexural strength, even with a thinner layer of screed. Flowing screeds exhibit less shrinkage compared to traditional sand cement screeds, which means fewer expansion joints are needed, resulting in a stronger screed finish over a greater area with fewer potential weak points. Moreover, minimising the number of expansion joints that need to be accommodated in the floor finish enhances the overall aesthetic appeal. The primary limitation of using this product is that installation by a professional team is highly recommended. They can accurately plan quantities and integrate the appropriate admixtures, then added by the use of a Dapple Bar for levelling, the company can ensure the flooring’s durability for many years.
| Liquid Level– | Mini | Pro | Pro-S |
| Sand/Cement | ** | ||
| Self Level | * | ||
| Renovation | * | * | |
| Flow Screed | * |
