When it comes to creating a smooth, even surface for your flooring, two popular solutions are often considered: floor screeding and self-levelling compound. While they may seem similar at first glance, each has unique applications and benefits.
Understanding the differences between these two materials can help you make an informed choice for your project. Here, we’ll dive into what makes screeding and self-levelling compound distinct and explore which option may be best suited to your needs.
Understanding Floor Screeding
Floor screeding is the process of applying a layer of cement, sand, and water to a concrete subfloor to create a smooth, even surface. The mix is spread across the floor, either manually or with a pump, and then levelled and smoothed using specialised tools. Screed provides a solid, durable base that’s ideal for laying a wide range of flooring, including tiles, carpet, wood, and vinyl.
Types of Screed: There are several types of screed to choose from, each designed for different applications: –
- Traditional Sand and Cement Screed: This type of screed is manually applied and is known for its strength and durability. It’s ideal for residential and commercial spaces where a long-lasting subfloor is essential.
- Fast Drying Screed: For projects on a tight schedule, fast-drying screed is a reliable choice. It can set within hours, which allows the flooring installation to proceed without much delay.
- Liquid Screed (Flowing Screed): Typically made with anhydrite, a gypsum-based material, liquid screed flows easily around underfloor heating pipes and can be applied quickly and efficiently, making it a popular choice for underfloor heating projects.
What is Self-Levelling Compound?
Self-levelling compound, often referred to as self-levelling screed, is a cement-based compound that, once mixed, flows easily across the floor to fill minor dips, divots, or imperfections. It has a smooth, thin consistency that allows it to “self-level” by naturally spreading out across the surface. While not as thick as traditional screed, self-levelling compound is ideal for fixing minor irregularities on existing floors before adding the final flooring layer.
Types of Self-Levelling Compound: There are a few types of self-levelling compounds that cater to different needs:
- Standard Self-Levelling Compound: This compound is ideal for smoothing out minor imperfections on floors and is commonly used over concrete and cement subfloors.
- Flexible Self-Levelling Compound: If you’re applying it over surfaces that experience movement or slight expansion and contraction (like wooden floors), flexible self-levelling compounds are designed to absorb these shifts and prevent cracking.
- Fibre-Reinforced Self-Levelling Compound: For added strength and stability, this type includes fibres that enhance durability, making it an excellent choice for heavy-duty applications.
Key Differences Between Floor Screeding and Self-Levelling Compound
While floor screeding and self-levelling compounds are both used to create even surfaces, they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. Here’s how they differ:
- Application Thickness
- Floor Screeding: Screed layers are typically thicker, ranging from 25mm to 100mm, depending on the project’s requirements. This thickness adds strength and durability to the floor, making it ideal for high-traffic areas or where heavy items will be placed.
- Self-Levelling Compound: These compounds are generally applied in thinner layers, usually between 1mm and 10mm. They are perfect for correcting small imperfections but not for creating thick, structural layers.
- Drying Time:
- Floor Screeding: Traditional screed can take several days or even weeks to fully dry, depending on the type used. Fast-drying screeds are available, but for large-scale projects, the drying time is generally longer than that of self-levelling compounds.
- Self-levelling Compound: One of the key advantages of self-levelling compounds is their quick drying time, often setting within hours. This makes them ideal for small, time-sensitive projects.
- Underfloor Heating Compatibility:
- Floor Screeding: Liquid screed, in particular, is well-suited for underfloor heating systems as it flows easily around pipes, ensuring even heat distribution. Traditional sand and cement screeds can also work well with underfloor heating but may not be as efficient in heat transfer.
- Self-levelling Compound: Self-levelling compounds are not typically designed for underfloor heating, as they lack the thickness required to encase heating pipes effectively. They are more suited to minor surface repairs rather than acting as a primary underfloor layer.
- Durability and Strength:
- Floor Screeding: Screeds provide a robust, long-lasting base that can handle heavy foot traffic, furniture, and equipment. It’s a durable option suited to both residential and commercial spaces.
- Self-levelling Compound: While strong, self-levelling compounds are not as durable as traditional screed. They are intended as a top layer to even out small surface flaws rather than providing a structural subfloor
Which Option Should You Choose
The choice between floor screeding and self-levelling compound depends on the specific requirements of your project.
- Use Floor Screeding if:
- You need a thick, structural subfloor layer.
- Your project requires durability and strength for high-traffic areas.
- You are installing underfloor heating and need a material that can effectively cover heating pipes.
- Use Self-Levelling Compound if:
- You are preparing a floor with minor imperfections that need smoothing.
- Your project has time constraints and requires a quick-setting solution.
- You need a thin layer for cosmetic repairs rather than a structural layer.
In Summary
Both floor screeding and self-levelling compound offer valuable solutions for creating an even floor surface. However, they serve distinct purposes: floor screeding provides a robust, thick subfloor, ideal for large-scale and high-traffic applications, while self-levelling compound is a quick, effective solution for smoothing out minor imperfections.
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