Should I Use Liquid Screed For My Next Floor Installation?

By Author: Andy Guy
Total Articles: 4
Comment this article

Are you handling the construction of flooring for your new home or commercial project? If so, you’ve probably encountered various screed options on the market, including liquid floor screed.

As well as being a hugely versatile material that is becoming incredibly popular today as a floor compound in London and the rest of the UK, in conjunction with underfloor heating systems, it has a number of other features that make it a worthy choice for your next project.

What are the main benefits of liquid screed?

Liquid screed has become a popular alternative to sand and cement screed across the construction industry when it comes to flooring. The main reason for this is the faster installation and drying times.

Due to the nature of the material, it flows easily into all areas of a flat surface with little need for further adjustment and levelling, as is otherwise required with traditional screed options. The substance also dries much faster.

Another big benefit that people often discuss in relation to liquid screed is how it is well-suited to underfloor heating systems due to the thin surface ...
... possibilities and the way it works dynamically with thermo-conductivity requirements, spreading heat evenly across a floor’s surface.

How long does liquid screed take to set?

After it has been appropriately laid, liquid floor screed can take 24-48 hours to set properly – allowing you to walk on it. Compared to other flooring options, this is incredibly fast and is well-suited to projects where there is a tight timeline for overall construction completion and other tradesmen need to access the floor in order to complete their work.

Why is liquid screed better than other flooring options?

Liquid screed, due to its inherent properties, offers greater compressive strength as well as greater flexibility – making it a strong floor surface that is unlikely to shrink or curl after a long period of time. It will remain solid and well-formed many years after it has been laid, offering good load-bearing properties as well as a smooth finish that works well with many overlaying floor materials such as hardwood.

When can liquid screed be used?

Liquid screed is great for many construction applications in the home or at commercial sites. Typically used for internal usage, it will offer a level and smooth surface that can extend across large floor plans at an extremely thin depth. At home, it is often used for all rooms on a ground floor as well as garage projects and summer houses. For commercial projects, it is common to see liquid screed being used for shopping centre floors or any area that receives high volumes of traffic.

Eco-friendly and energy friendly houses

Liquid screed is particularly suited to homes and buildings that are designed to be sustainable and eco-friendly. Why? Because the thin depth possibilities of the material and its other properties make it great for underfloor heating systems, heating up a building much more efficiently and reducing energy wastage. When contacting sustainable home project managers, liquid screed is likely to come highly recommended when installing an underfloor heating system.

What preparation is needed?

Preparation needs to be carried out before liquid screed is laid. It should only be laid on a suitably well-prepared substrate. Depending on the requirements of your home, different methods will be used to prepare the floor before it is covered with liquid screed. Separating layers of material such as insulation may need to be laid down for example, before the liquid screed is poured over the top.

What kind of liquid screed is available

The world of liquid screed is actually quite varied. If you are new to flooring construction, it is highly recommended to do your research before you choose any one particular material. Your supplier of floor compound in London or any other part of the UK should be able to explain the different options and properties, such as bonded, unbonded and floating screeds.

Different varieties of anhydrite screeds from major manufacturers as well as cement based liquid floor screed for projects require higher depths and extra strength. If you are installing an underfloor heating system, this will also have to be factored into your material choice.

Is it worth it?

It all depends on your goals, but usually yes. Liquid screed is the perfect solution for smooth flooring and can be used in a wide range of domestic, commercial and industrial project specifications.

Liquid Screed is a leading UK supplier of floor compound and screed services for both commercial and private contracts. It handles everything from floor preparation, materials, labour and consultation for liquid screed floor projects across the UK.