Floor Screeding

A finished floor is only as flat and level as the screed underneath it. Whether it’s a new extension, a renovated ground floor, or a room getting underfloor heating for the first time, screeding provides the level, load-bearing surface that final flooring actually sits on, whether that’s tile, wood, carpet or vinyl.

Traditional versus liquid screed

Traditional screed is a semi-dry sand and cement mix, laid by hand and levelled using screed rails or a laser level to get an accurate finish. It’s a well-proven method that suits most domestic floors and has been the standard approach for decades. Liquid screed is a flowing, pumped product that self-levels once poured, giving a very flat surface with less reliance on manual levelling skill. Most liquid screeds are calcium sulphate based, though cement-based versions also exist. Liquid screed has become the go-to choice for underfloor heating because it flows tightly around and beneath the heating pipes, reducing air pockets that would otherwise reduce heating efficiency.

Which one suits a job depends on the floor area, whether underfloor heating is involved, the loading the floor will take, and how quickly the space needs to be ready for the next trade.

How the job typically runs

Before screed goes down, the sub-floor needs to be sound, clean and, in most cases, insulated below if it’s a ground floor build-up. A damp-proof membrane is typically laid first where required, along with edge insulation strips to allow for expansion. Traditional screed is then mixed and laid in bays, tamped and levelled by hand. Liquid screed is pumped in from a mixing unit, usually via a hose run into the property, and spreads itself across the floor area, needing only light finishing to get it level at doorways and edges.

What to expect

Screed needs proper time to cure before it can be walked on, and considerably more time before it’s dry enough for certain floor finishes to be laid on top. Rushing this stage is one of the most common causes of problems with flooring later on. Ventilation and temperature both affect drying speed, so timelines can vary between a summer job and a cold, damp winter one. It’s normal for a room to be out of use for a stretch after screeding, so this is usually planned around the rest of a renovation programme rather than left to the end.

Coverage

Floor screeding, including screed suitable for underfloor heating, is carried out across Bradford and the surrounding towns, for extensions, renovations and new-build floors alike. A site visit helps confirm the right screed type before a free quote is given.