When it comes to preparing your floors, screeding might not be the flashiest part of the build—but skip it, and you could be facing a long list of costly, frustrating problems down the line.
Whether you’re renovating a home, fitting out a commercial space, or working on a new build, screeding lays the groundwork—literally—for a smooth, level, long-lasting floor.
Uneven Floors = Ongoing Headaches
Without a screed layer, there’s a good chance your floor surface won’t be completely level. Even small dips and rises can create big problems over time, especially if you’re laying tiles, vinyl, laminate, or engineered wood. You might find:
- Doors don’t close properly
- Furniture wobbles
- Flooring materials wear unevenly
- Tripping hazards emerge
And levelling the floor after installation is a lot more expensive and disruptive than doing it right the first time.
Poor Insulation and Energy Inefficiency
Screed isn’t just about creating a smooth surface—it also helps insulate your space. Many screed types (especially those used with insulation boards or underfloor heating systems) improve thermal performance.
- Skip screeding, and you could be looking at:
- Higher energy bills
- Less effective underfloor heating
- Colder floors in winter
In a world that’s moving towards energy efficiency and net-zero targets, that’s not ideal.
Cracks, Creaks and Costly Repairs
Subfloors are rarely perfectly flat or defect-free. A screed acts as a buffer between the subfloor and your final flooring layer. Without it, movement in the base (due to settling, shrinkage, or temperature changes) can directly impact the finished floor—leading to:
- Cracking tiles
- Popping laminate
- Creaking floorboards
- Flooring materials separating or lifting
In commercial spaces, these issues could violate safety standards and cause reputational damage.
Water Damage Risk
In rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, or utility areas, skipping screeding could increase the risk of water pooling or penetrating your subfloor. Properly applied screed helps create the gradient needed for effective drainage and can work with waterproof membranes to form a moisture barrier.
Without it, you may face:
- Damp patches
- Mould growth
- Subfloor rot
- Expensive structural damage
Reduced Floor Lifespan
Think of screeding as giving your floor a solid foundation. Without it, you’re essentially installing expensive flooring on a shaky base. That’s like building a house without foundations—something’s going to give. And when it does, you’re often stuck with redoing more than just the floor.
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When Can You Skip Screeding?
In rare cases—such as perfectly level new concrete slabs with no plan for underfloor heating or high-end flooring—you might get away with skipping a full screed layer. But even then, most flooring suppliers recommend a self-levelling compound or light screed to ensure a proper finish.
The short version: it’s rarely worth the risk.
Summary
Screeding might seem like an extra cost or delay, but skipping it could leave you with an uneven, inefficient, and short-lived floor. Whether you’re building a dream home or managing a commercial fit-out, screeding helps ensure your project is future-proofed and built to last.
Looking for expert advice on the best type of screed for your project? Contact us today!
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