Concrete is among the primary building materials for construction in a lot of industries. Concrete is utilized to set up pillars and walls. It’s a sturdy material that can stand up to the most wear and tear and will last for a long duration.
While durable, concrete flooring isn’t always the most comfortable. Its temperature fluctuates, and it can harm other flooring materials. If you’ve laid a flooring made of concrete, you’ll typically desire to finish it off with something different, like screed or a rug.
What exactly is screed and is it an important component of a concrete floor?
Screed Vs Concrete
Screed is an extremely thin layer of material typically laid on the concrete subfloor. It is able to be placed between other concrete layers to make it even or give a more stable surface to adhesives.
The concrete subfloor is attached to floor joists in order to give support to the flooring that you will install. It also helps protect your home from damage caused by moisture and mold.
Although it is possible to avoid screed in certain situations, you may be surprised to discover that an unfinished concrete subfloor alone isn’t the most ideal surface. It’s often uneven with uneven areas and cracks or holes could develop over time.
The screed as well as concrete constructed from the same cement mixture. The major difference is that concrete tends to be more robust and courser and more durable, while screed gives more smoothness. Screed is also more expensive, based what brand you choose.
After a layer of screed is in place it is possible to lay any final material you’d like to put on top, like tile or carpet. In some instances screed is laid on the top of an insulation layer.
There is also an industrial screed suitable for older or more recent concrete. For industrial applications It is extremely tough and resistant to scratches and scratch marks.
Different types of screed
The three kinds of screed that you’ll encounter include unbonded, bonded and floating. They are all used based on the intended use while industrial screeds are heavier than standard screeds.
Bonded
The name suggests that the screed that is bonded to the substrate using an adhesive. In this instance it’s applied directly on the concrete slab because of the screed’s thinness.
While it is technically possible to connect any screed, it’s not necessary at higher levels of thickness. This kind of screed can be applied to concrete if there is continuous construction, or in other loads that are heavy. It can also be employed with water pipes that are cast-in used in heating units for the underfloor.
The thickness could vary from 25-40mm. Anything greater than that will not require bondsing agents.
Unbonded
Unbonded screeds are not placed directly over the concrete layer, as is the bonded type. Instead, it has an impervious membrane, known as builder’s plastic that is sandwiched between the screed and the concrete.
The membrane assists in reducing the shrinkage of the screed and prevent moisture from accumulating. As a bonded screed you can utilize it in conjunction with cast-in pipes to provide underfloor heating. It is more thicker and doesn’t need an adhesive.
In addition, you don’t need to be concerned about cracks or movement within the slab as an unbonded screed isn’t linked to it.
Floating
Screed may also be used as a floating insulation material or with another insulation layer.
The floor insulation can prevent drafts, build an air barrier and prevent the pipes from freezing. Concrete is a good choice for flooring floor insulation, it can help keep your floor’s temperature from changing in too many.
Floating screeds are mostly utilized in structures that have underfloor heating. It is also used for thermal or acoustic insulation when it is employed. This is why floating screeds are the most dense of the three types.
Where can I buy Screed
If you’re pondering where to purchase screed first think about the type you’ll need. Industrial screed has to be strong enough to handle high loads and harsh conditions. Also, it must be resistant to skids. If you are looking for a light, home-based application, you’ll typically be able to use a smaller choice. For heated floors, however, they might require a larger screed for insulation.
It is also available that is a ready-made liquid. Liquid floor screed gets mixed at the plant, and then transported in the form of a truck mixer. Then, it’s pumped into and allows for a more abrasive coating than the majority of choices.
Take a look at our vast selection of screed choices to get a better idea of what you can purchase.
How to Screed Floors
After you’ve found the right kind of screed, you’ll have to master the art of screed the floor.
In the beginning, you must clean the concrete base before mixing your screed. If you’re using the unbonded type then you’ll have to lay down a sheet too.
Split the floor into segments, for example, using timber battens. Split the room into sections approximately 3 or 4 meters in width.
Start the screed at the furthest point, and then level it with straightedge. Start section by section until the entire area is filled, and then take out the battens. Fill the holes created by the battens and then let the screed float immediately.
Clean the screed and wait before installing flooring over it. In some instances you might need to hold off for three weeks, however the screed will dry within a single day.
Layering Your Base
If you’re not using screeds, be amazed at how much it can help the flooring you install. It’s not just a way to smooth out any bumps or lumps it also creates an even surface for you to put your floors that you’ve put in place to.
If you’re interested to learn more about screed London and what it could help your business or other projects, get in touch with us now.
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