The purpose of a floor screed is to produce as near a level surface as possible upon which the finishing floor is to be laid, whether that is carpet, wood, tile, or more. A concrete substrate can have lots of dips and “waviness” and if you try to lay the finishing floor on top of it there will be problems, especially if it is tile. A screed is a thin layer of material that is laid on the concrete in order to produce a level to as near Surface Regularity 1 as possible. SR1 means that there is no discrepancy of more than 3mm over a 2-metre length.

We are well-known as leading floor screeding contractors throughout England and Wales, and we provide a full floor preparation service from preparing the concrete substrate through to final sanding of the screed so that it is in perfect condition to receive whatever type of final flooring you are going to lay. We also install underfloor heating.

UK Screeds are the leading installers of underfloor heating and the foremost flooring screeding contractors in the country. We can install one of a wide range of underfloor heating systems that will not only heat your home in the winter but cool it in the summer. This means that you no longer need radiators and there is no need for air conditioning either. You can even have the heating on in one room and another room cooled at the same time.

Advantages Of Liquid Screed That You Can’t Simply Ignore

A liquid screed, also known as a flowing screed, has many advantages over a traditional sand and cement screed. Liquid screed can be used in both domestic and commercial properties whether they are new build or a renovation project. Because it is a liquid, it can be laid to provide a very level surface using a laser leveller and an auger.

At UK Screeds we can lay a liquid screed very fast. It is delivered to site already mixed and ready to pour, so there is no requirement for operatives to mix on site, nor is any space needed in which to do so. Our team has the skill and experience to lay up to 100 square metres in 45 minutes and as much as 2,000 square metres in a day. This saves a huge amount of time on a contract compared with a sand and cement screed laid by hand.

Using our laser levelling equipment also means that the screed that we lay will be level to within surface regularity SR2 or better. Surface regularity is tested by using a 2m straight edge which is laid on the surface of the screed and testing with a slip gauge. The maximum gap at any point has to be no greater than 5mm for it to pass SR2, and 3mm for it to be classified as SR1.

A liquid floor screed also dries very quickly. Once laid, you will be able to walk on it within 24 – 48 hours, which is another big time saver on a contract where other trades may need to work, such as installing windows, lighting, and so on.

At UK Screeds Ltd we also carry out floor sanding. When a liquid screed has dried there will usually be a layer of laitance that accumulates on the surface as water in the screed dries out and pushes fine particles to the surface. If flooring is laid directly on to this surface it could have an effect on the floor life if the screed and flooring are not bonded tightly, especially in the case of tile which could crack. We sand the screed to a perfect finish to ensure a long-lasting adhesion.

A liquid floor screed is much quicker to apply than a traditional floor screed. A traditional sand and cement floor screed is a semi-dry product and is laid manually. It can be mixed on site or delivered from a factory, but either way it means working on your hands and knees.

A liquid screed in London, however, is delivered to site and pumped in, so is much quicker to lay. There is no need to get on your hands and knees, and because it is a liquid it will settle to a more level surface than a hand laid one. It is also denser than a traditional screed, so makes for better soundproofing.

This also makes for better thermal conductivity, or heat transfer, which is why we are being asked to provide our liquid floor screed in London much more often these days where underfloor heating is being installed. Better conductivity makes for less energy required to produce the same amount of heat.

There are two sorts of liquid screed and these are cement based and anhydrite based. Anhydrite screeds offer even better thermal conductivity than cement-based screeds. Both types of screed have the advantage that they do not shrink or curl, which makes them resistant to cracking.

However, an anhydrite screed is also environmentally friendly. Up to as much as 36% of it consists of recycled materials and it produces far less CO2 than a cement-based screed. This is because it contains a proportion of gypsum. There are more advantages of a liquid anhydrite screed in that it can be applied as a very thin layer which means that there is less weight than a traditional screed so no reinforcement is necessary.

Furthermore, the liquid screeds that we provide at UK Screeds are laid very quickly. The floors in a typical house can be poured and levelled in just a few hours.

Can You Paint A Screeded Floor?

Screeded floors not only give you a beautiful, seamless floor finish but because of their longevity and durability, they are very economical. Used for both new build and renovation projects, they provide a smooth, level surface that’s perfect for painting.

Search any home design magazine and you’ll see just how on-trend a painted floor is at the moment.

But before you start painting, there are a few things you need to do.

Surface Preparation & Floor Cleaning

After your screed floor has been laid, you’ll find there will be some leftover laitance. These are just some fine particles, but they will need sanding. It’s best to get a trained contractor with specialised equipment to carry out this process, which will also remove any surface contaminants. Then make sure the floor is vacuumed thoroughly.

It’s highly recommended to use a primer before painting, which is specifically designed to fully seal the surface and adhere to the paint.

Then you’re ready to paint. There are many types of suitable floor paint, so it’s best to talk to a specialist paint store for all your options.

Benefits of Painting a Screed Floor

Reduce Dust: Paint will impregnate and seal the floor surface, which will reduce the amount of dust that gathers.

Stain Resistance: Concrete and screed are porous, meaning moisture can be absorbed into the surface. This means it’s susceptible to staining from things such as oils or fats. The painting will help prevent this.

High-Level Protection: Screed floors can have a lot of traffic, things dropped on them, people in high heels, etc. If you paint with hardwearing floor paint, you’ll help protect against wear and tear.

If you’re renovating or building a new home, painted screed can quickly give your home that designer look. It’s ideal if you want to put in underfloor heating, as it wastes very little heat.

To find out more about screeding and painting your floor or to request a quote for your project, contact UK Screeds today.

Liquid screeding has surpassed traditional floor screeds due to its many benefits. Yet sometimes mistakes occur. Details that are overlooked in the planning, installation or drying stage can be costly.

A recent report estimates £10 billion to £25 billion is wasted annually on construction errors in the UK. Thankfully, screeding mistakes are easily avoidable. Here are some of the common liquid screeding mistakes and how to avoid them.

Inadequate Planning and Specification

It’s vital to choose an approved screed contractor with a proven track record. An expert will select the screed mix based on the type of environment and frequency of traffic.

Rigorous industrial and commercial work conditions need more hardwearing screeds. This differs from screed used in homes. Another design criteria are the type of flooring to be applied.

The pre-planning stage is imperative, as it allows the screeding contractor and main builder time to programme and coordinate.

Improper Installation

In reality, installing a screed floor is a simple process. But when procedures are not followed correctly, cracks can appear. Screed can also breakdown due to an incorrect mixture or insufficient cover.

Getting the water-to-cement ratio right is essential for the liquid screed. The substrate floor must be clean and ready for insulation. Edge strip and tanking membrane should be properly installed and checked.

Curing or Drying Stage

According to the Building Research Establishment (BRE) the most common fault occurs when floor coverings de-bond from the screed.

Installing coverings before the screed has properly dried can lead to floor swelling, buckling, and bubbling. Over larger floor areas, the problem is even more expensive.

Often in more complex projects, there’s a rush to get onto the next trade. These flaws are avoided by sticking to the agreed timescales. Projects with tight deadlines can use specially modified screed that cures faster.

Specialist Liquid Screeding and Underfloor Heating

Get it right the first time by partnering with UK Screeds, a trusted contractor since 2002. Whether business or domestic, contact UK Screeds today for professional help with your liquid screeding and underfloor heating.

Screed is a common type of flooring generally applied on top of a pored concrete slab. It is an ideal floor finish if you’re looking for something that’s strong and resilient. It has an extremely tough finish that’s able to withstand pressure from both foot and heavy equipment traffic, making it ideal for all types of buildings from homes to warehouses.

Not all Screeds Are the Same.

Standard old-fashioned screed is made up of cement and sharp sand.

Anhydrite screed is an updated version. It has twice the amount of thermal conductivity than more traditional screed. It’s better for the environment with 36% of the product being recycled, and it produces less CO2 than traditional sand-and-cement screed due to its gypsum content.

It’s mostly used for internal purposes, such as covering heating systems, thermal insulation, or for its acoustic properties. This screed can also be installed in external locations, due to the fact that it’s very hardwearing, water resistant and pretty much able to withstand anything you throw at it!

Anhydrite Screed Has all The Strength You’ll Need

When choosing a screed, you want one that is extremely hard wearing. Anhydrite screed is the ultimate product.

There are numerous other benefits too. It has minimal cracking and shrinkage, and it’s so fast drying you can have light traffic on it within 24 to 48 hours of it being laid.  The screed is pump-able, quick to install, and much more cost effective than you think. It delivers an extraordinarily professional laser-levelled floor.

If you live in a house where dropping stuff is an everyday occurrence, dogs and cats are running around and furniture gets scrapped across the floor, you’ll find chipping or cracking an anhydrite screed floor almost impossible to do.

With its increased strength and bonding properties, this is a product that will last for a very long time with minimal maintenance required.

If you’re looking for a strong, durable, seamless floor finish, contact the professional team at UK Screeds to find out more about anhydrite screed or request a quote for your project.

Heating accounts for a significant portion of utility costs in the UK. Taking steps to reduce this figure not only lowers energy costs, but also helps meet carbon targets that the government has committed to. But trying to determine the most economical method can be overwhelming. Here we’ll look at cost-effective options to heat your home and keep your energy costs down.

Upgrade to a More Energy-Efficient Boiler

Central heating systems are the most common form of heating in the UK. A boiler heats up water, which is then pumped through pipes to radiators that snake through a house. Replacing an older boiler with a more efficient one can help save on energy costs in the long run.

The cost for a gas boiler replacement typically runs about £2,300 and includes the disposal of your old unit as well as any necessary wiring to get the system working. Replacements have a higher initial cost, but information from Energy Saving Trust estimates that it can save up to £315 a year in energy costs for a detached house. Upgraded boilers that are paired with a room thermostat further minimise energy consumption.

Install Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating systems work by heating the entire floor through piping found underneath. Unlike central heating radiators that take up valuable wall space, underfloor heating is completely out of sight and is an effective option to heat an entire home with no cold spots.

There are two different types available:

• Electric underfloor heating: These systems consist of a series of electric wires that are installed beneath your flooring. The wires are connected to a mains supply and the temperature can be regulated using a thermostat. Electric systems run between 25 to 31 degrees on average and can be installed anywhere near a power supply.
• Water underfloor heating: These systems consist of a series of pipes that are connected to your boiler. Warm water is then circulated through the pipes to heat the flooring above. Water systems can be installed in any room with temperatures running between 27 to 31 degrees. The downside is that installations are a lot more involved so they’re typically reserved for newer home builds.

Costs for either can vary depending on the size of the area and complexity of the installation.

Electric systems are generally a preferred choice for retrofits and can cost several hundred pounds for a small room. However, you’ll also need to factor in the cost for heater controls, screed, and insulation boards. Installation costs will also be higher if you decide to hire a professional.

Water underfloor heating offers a highly efficient heating system, especially when paired with a modern condensing boiler. The cost to heat a room per year is significantly lower than its electric underfloor counterpart. But installation costs are also a lot higher, as these systems can easily cost into the thousands of pounds.

If you’re looking for the most economical way to heat your home, then underfloor heating systems are the obvious answer. The potential long-term savings make these systems well worth the initial investment.

To find out more about our underfloor heating services or to request a quote for your project, contact UK Screeds today.

Floor coatings are often applied on commercial and industrial surfaces to create a long lasting finish. The most common application is for warehouses, as floor coatings minimise wear from the constant shuffling of workers and equipment. Epoxy and polyurethane are the most common materials used for floor coatings. They both create a highly durable surface and require little to no maintenance once applied.

However, each has their own distinct differences, so it can be difficult deciding between the two. Here we’ll look at some of the key differences between epoxy and polyurethane floor coatings, and how to choose the right finish for your project.

Epoxy Floor Coating

Epoxy is a thermosetting polymer available in three different formulations. Each allows for varying degrees of thickness depending on the application. Epoxy reacts by creating a strong chemical bond with many types of substrates when properly mixed and applied. Because of its exceptional durability, epoxy is frequently used to resurface worn concrete.

The best formulations are high solids and 100% solids. 100% solids have little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and can be mixed with different aggregates when resurfacing concrete. High solids are extremely hard and thick, which creates a high impact-resistant surface. These epoxies are commonly used in commercial and industrial settings due to their durability.

Epoxy offers numerous advantages as a floor coating, but one of the downsides is that it will eventually chalk and fade. Exposure to sunlight for prolonged periods of time also results in the formulation turning yellow or amber.

Polyurethane Floor Coating

Polyurethane is a highly flexible and elastic material that is more scratch-resistant than epoxy. The extra durability means that polyurethane is often the preferred choice for heavy traffic areas, such as parking structures. Even though polyurethane coatings are typically only two to three mils in thickness, the material offers more flexibility than epoxy. This makes them well suited in environments where the flooring can expand or contract due to temperature changes.

Another advantage that polyurethane has over epoxy is that it has a higher resistance to chemicals, such as petroleum products and solvents. Polyurethane is also more UV stable meaning that it won’t yellow like epoxy does even when exposed to sunlight.

Polyurethane is certainly appealing, but one of the downsides is that it doesn’t bond well to substrates like concrete. It also doesn’t work well as a resurfacing agent due to its thin thickness.

Both epoxy and polyurethane have clear advantages and disadvantages. So which one should you choose? When it comes to deciding between the two, there’s no clear winner. It all depends on factors like the environment you’re working in and what you need from your new surface.

One option is to consider using both materials for maximum strength. For example, you could apply epoxy floor coating to your surface then finish it with a clear coat of polyurethane to protect it. Whichever option you choose, be sure to do your research ahead of time or consult with one of our experts for recommendations based on your requirements.

To find out more about epoxy and polyurethane floor coatings or to request a quote for your project, contact UK Screeds today.