More and more architects are specifying underfloor heating today because of the advantages it has over radiator systems. Underfloor heating systems work by pumping warm water through plastic tubing which is laid under the floor before the final surface is laid. The warmed water can be provided by any heat source.

This means that every part of the room receives even heating, so there are no cool spots that can occur with a radiator system. Furthermore, there are no radiators, so that means that there is more space in the room.

At UK Screeds we are proud to have over 15 years of experience in the laying of liquid floor screeds throughout England and Wales. We have no less than 11 branches and we can lay a liquid screed for you at any construction site in the two countries.

At UK Screeds we install the very finest flowing screeds which are self-levelling, because, of course, they are in liquid format. However, we go one step further, as we use laser screeding which levels the surface of the screed to a level of SR1, and you cannot get any better than that.

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.