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.

To the best of our knowledge there is no law that says that you must use a floor levelling screed on top of concrete before laying the final floor surface, whatever it may be.

There is no doubt that liquid screeds are making great inroads into the world of floor screeds because they have so many advantages over the traditional sand and cement. In fact, one supplier recently stated that around 25% of all screeds laid are now liquid screeds, either anhydrite or cement based.

Because liquid screed is so much easier to lay than traditional sand and cement screed, this has led to people thinking that at UK Screeds we simply send our mixer truck to site, pump the screed into position on the substrate, it levels itself (it is sometimes called self-levelling screed), and that’s the lot. Off we go.

Many of us tend to think of underfloor heating as a new system but believe it or not it dates back at least 7,000 years! Back in the day, they had trenches cut into the floors with stones laid over the top of them and they were heated by fires in strategic positions.

If you are having a new home built you may very well wish to consider installing underfloor heating. It has several benefits over a radiator system and is more energy efficient.

Glad you asked.

And if you run a shop selling knitting wools or are an accountant or a dog trainer, you are not going to need one, so you have no need to read further.

However, if you are in the building trade you had better read on.