Screed floor

For contractors on new build or renovation projects, a screed floor is a cost-effective and labour-efficient option for constructing floors throughout a building. Screed is used worldwide to help create a level surface ready for a variety of floor finishes to be applied.

WHAT IS A SCREED FLOOR?

A screed floor creates a smooth, level surface on top of a concrete base. Once the screed floor has set or cured, it is ready for the application of a final floor finish such as carpet, floorboards or tiles.

Screed floor types: liquid floor and poured insulation

There are different types of screed floors. Here we will focus on liquid floor screed used alongside a poured insulation.

Liquid screed is the result of years of development to reduce the amount of time and effort traditionally required to install a screed floor. Liquid screed can be poured onto a suitably prepared subfloor and directed to where it is needed, providing full coverage once finished. Liquid floor screed is quick to install and can be applied in thinner sections when compared with traditional screeding methods.

Its self-levelling properties avoid the need for manual intervention to achieve a level, smooth floor. Within 24/48 hours, a screed floor is ready to accommodate light footfall.

Poured insulation

Poured insulation is an alternative to traditional insulation boards. Like liquid screed, poured insulation is installed by being batched, pumped discharged onto a suitable subfloor.

It creates a robust and energy efficient layer which can then be used as a base ready to install UFH pipework to.

What is the purpose of a floor screed?

The main purpose of a floor screed is to provide a level, smooth floor ready for the installation of the finished flooring.

Once pumped, floor screed flows across he floor, filling any gaps or deformities in the floor below leaving a smooth, level finish.  

When it comes to underfloor heating, floor screed is the perfect solution. This is due to the nature of the product and its propensity to fill voids, self-compact and encapsulate the pipework. It can also be applied thinner than a traditional screed which helps to distribute the heat more efficiently, enhancing the performance of the underfloor heating system.

With its self-levelling properties, liquid screed provides a smooth and flawless finish that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also ensures optimal performance. It can also be laid quickly and efficiently, significantly reducing labour costs and project timelines.

For commercial and residential properties, the thermal conductivity of liquid screed makes it an ideal choice for underfloor heating systems. Its ability to evenly distribute heat across the surface ensures a comfortable living or working environment, while potentially lowering energy costs.

How to screed a floor?

At Clockwork Screed we use our mobile screed machines to provide a service second to none. The screed is batch-produced on site and pumped directly onto the floor using our innovative Transmix vehicles.

We can install 100m² of floor screed without joints where there is underfloor heating, or 150m² if there is no underfloor heating. Liquid floor screed can be installed anywhere in a project including outdoor areas and spaces that are susceptible to wet conditions.

Is liquid screed better than traditional screed?

Liquid screeds have different properties to traditional screeds which help to make it a better choice for most flooring applications. This is especially true when considering a project hat utilizes underfloor heating.

Unlike traditional screeds which require highly laborious and lengthy installation, our cement based liquid screed is pumped directly to where it is needed. Our operatives can then gently dapple the surface to remove any air contained within the material and leave the project with a level, smooth finish.

LIQUID FLOOR SCREED: KEY BENEFITS

Liquid floor screed offers several benefits for contractors. Highlights are:

• Liquid floor screed creates a smooth, level and robust layer on top of a concrete base.
• Liquid floor screed can be installed quickly. The Clockwork Screed team can cover 1000m² in one day.
• Because liquid screed can be applied as thinly as 25mm, it dries very quickly, allowing footfall as speedily as 24 to 48 hours after installation. This helps other contractors to Proceed with their work more quickly.
• Liquid floor screed offers exceptional thermal conductivity so is ideal for optimising the performance of underfloor heating systems.
• It also self-compacts so doesn’t create voids or bubbles around underfloor heating pipework.
• Clockwork Screed liquid floor screed has a shrinkage rate of under 0.05%, so is highly durable.

CLOCKWORK SCREED - SCREED FLOOR INSTALLERS

Clockwork Screed are screed floor installers covering the North West. We have over thirty years of construction experience. We continually innovate to improve our processes which is how our state-of-the-art mobile screed factories originated. Get in touch with the team at Clockwork Screed for more information on how we can assist with your project.

FAQs

Why is a screed floor important?

A screed floor provides a safe and even concrete surface on top of the concrete sub base, ready for the aesthetic touches of the final floor finish.

Do you install the screed floor

Yes. Clockwork Screed offer the full service of sourcing, delivering and installing your liquid screed and producing your screed floor.

Is a screed floor an environmentally friendly option?

Yes. By creating floors using our mobile screed factories, we only produce the amount of screed you need for your screed floor, thereby eliminating waste. We also only need to deploy a single team for each job, so keep transportation to a minimum.