Month: August 2020

When you construct a building, in essence, it is like a box. It usually has four sides, a roof, and a floor. Certainly, some modern buildings have more unusual designs, and maybe round or some other shape, but basically there are still walls, roof, and floor. All of these are critical parts of the structure but at UK Screeds we leave the walls and roof to someone else: our concern is only with the floor which is where our expertise lies.

For many years it has been the case that, when creating a floor, it has first been necessary to ensure that the subfloor is as level as it can possibly be, and traditionally this has been done by adding a layer of screed on to the concrete. A concrete substrate is never going to be level enough to lay tiles directly, and it is not advisable to lay other final flooring surfaces without first adding a screed, although there is no regulation which says that you have to have one. However, if you don’t, there is a risk that the final flooring, especially if it is tile, could become damaged or cracked simply because the substrate is not flat.

More and more properties today are being built with underfloor heating. It is becoming standard specification for higher-end homes, but is gradually being used in less expensive homes as well, as it becomes evident that the cost of installing radiator systems and underfloor heating is about the same, but that underfloor heating has several advantages.

Liquid screed is becoming ever more popular as architects realise the many benefits that it has over and above traditional sand and cement screeds. If you are considering how to construct the floor, and various flooring finishes, on a project, then you will no doubt have questions about its benefits and whether or not it is the most suitable for what you have in mind.

On occasion it is possible that a concrete floor may be laid that will not require a screed to be laid over the top of it. This could be if something such as a factory or warehouse is being constructed when the only purpose of the floor is practical use and the appearance is of no concern whatsoever.

Traditionally, for many years a screed has been laid which consists simply of sand and cement. Some diehard architects and contractors are still sticking to sand and cement, despite the rise and rise of liquid anhydrite screed.

Just to begin with, it isn’t always necessary to screed a concrete floor, depending upon the use of the building. For example, if you are building a warehouse, you don’t need a “pretty” looking floor surface. You just need a floor which is practical and can withstand heavy traffic including, possibly, forklift trucks. So in this instance, a floor screed would not be necessary.