Project Overview
Interior Screed Group was appointed to deliver a high-performance screed installation for a residential, new build project requiring a rapid-drying, durable solution over an underfloor heating (UFH) system.
The total screeded area measured 92m², installed at an average depth of 50mm, with all insulation works completed by others.
The property presented several access restraints. To overcome this, our team used bulk bags, enabling efficient delivery, reduced material handling, and smoother workflow despite limited access to the site
Scope of Work
Material Used: Tarmac Retanol Xtreme. We selected Tarmac Retanol Xtreme due to its exceptional performance, especially where UFH is involved, and programme times are tight.
The client wanted to install floor finishes quickly and without incurring any extra costs for laitance removal or sanding of the screeded surface post completion.Key Installation Features
- 92m² of floor area
- 50mm screed thickness
- Installed directly over UFH pipes, ensuring excellent thermal conductivity
- Retanol Xtreme mixed off-site using bulk bags to navigate poor access
- Insulation layers supplied and installed by others
- Achieved a smooth, level, high-strength finish ready for final floor coverings
Why Retanol Xtreme Over Liquid Screed?
Retanol Xtreme offered several advantages that made it the superior choice for this project:
Faster Drying Times
- Walkable within 12-24 hours
- Floor coverings can often be installed significantly sooner than liquid screed.
- Ideal for projects with tight turnaround requirements
Higher Strength & Durability
- Achieves exceptional compressive and flexural strength (C40)
- More resilient under high foot traffic and heavy load areas
- Less risk of surface cracking compared to liquid screeds
Superior Compatibility with Underfloor Heating
- Excellent thermal conductivity
- Reduced risk of shrinkage and curling under thermal changes due to external weather elements
- Works exceptionally well with UFH commissioning cycles
No Need for Large Pumps or Heavy Vehicles
- Unlike liquid screed, no large pump wagons or articulated vehicles were needed
- Perfect for sites with restricted access, tight driveways, or rural locations
- Bulk bags allowed for cleaner, more controlled material handling
Better Control on Smaller or Split-Level Areas
- Retanol Xtreme provides more flexibility for complex layouts
- Ideal for renovations, extensions, or multi-room installations
- Ensures a flatter, more reliable finish in varying spaces
Outcome
The project was completed efficiently and to the highest standard. Despite the access limitations, our team delivered a seamless installation using bulk bags, avoiding delays and minimising disruption.
The final floor achieved:
- Excellent SR1 levels
- Rapid drying and ready for floor finishes ahead of schedule and without the need to remove laitance
- A thermally responsive, strong, and reliable screed bed perfectly suited to the client’s UFH system
Client Benefit Summary
✅ Fast programme thanks to rapid-drying Retanol Xtreme
✅ Reduced site disruption via bulk-bag material delivery
✅ Superior performance compared to liquid screed options
✅ Optimised UFH efficiency due to high thermal conductivity
✅ Long-term durability with minimal shrinkage or cracking
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