What Is Screed Used For?

Most of us know what concrete is, given that it’s so prevalent on every construction site. However, if you’re having new concrete flooring laid, you may hear another material mentioned that you might not have come across before: screed. 

But what is screed and how is it used? And what exactly makes it different from concrete? Luckily, the team at Tor Multimix is here to help you understand the important role that screed will play in your next construction project.

What is screed? 

Screed is a layer of cementitious material that is laid over a concrete subfloor to ensure a smooth, even surface. It’s usually the finishing touch before the final floor covering is applied, such as carpet, wood flooring, ceramic tiles and more. However, it can also be left bare if you’d prefer a more industrial finish.

What is screed made of?

Traditional screed is made of the same three raw ingredients as concrete: cement, water and aggregates. The main difference between the two materials, however, lies in the type of aggregates used; while concrete uses coarse aggregates – like gravel and stone – to provide extra strength, traditional screed incorporates much finer aggregates like sharp sand to ensure a smooth consistency.

What is screed used for?

As mentioned above, screed is used to provide a finishing layer to a concrete sub-base, but that’s not its only use; it can also be used in renovation projects to level out any uneven floors and fix any bumps or depressions. It’s also the perfect partner to any underfloor heating system thanks to the thermal insulation it provides. By covering the pipes entirely, it eliminates any air bubbles and enhances thermal conductivity, ensuring heat is distributed equally across the entire surface.

Liquid screed or sand and cement screed: which is best for you?

Before embarking on a new construction project, you’ll probably face the choice between liquid screed and sand and cement screed. Although you might think these two materials are the same, they actually have very different properties and uses. It’s always helpful to understand the differences between the two, so you can make an informed decision about what’s best for you.

• Composition: The clue’s in the name; sand and cement screed is made up of sand, cement and water. By contrast, liquid cement screed uses anhydrite as a binder in the place of cement, which provides excellent fluidity.
  

• Drying time: Sand and cement screed usually sets within 24-48 hours, but takes several days, or even weeks, to dry completely – around one day for every 1mm of screed. As liquid screed is usually laid much thinner, it dries a lot faster and, under the right conditions, can accommodate light traffic within 24-48 hours.
  

• Application: Applying traditional sand and cement screed is quite labour intensive, as it’s usually laid manually with a trowel and then painstakingly compacted and levelled by hand. By contrast, as liquid screed is self-levelling, it can be pumped over the area to reduce labour costs, save time and maximise convenience.  
• Cost: Although prices can vary between suppliers, traditional sand and cement screed is usually more affordable than liquid screed. However, when you work with Tor Multimix, we’ll ensure you always receive a fair price for the screed that you order with no hidden costs.

The choice of which screed is best for you entirely depends on the needs of your project. If you require a thick, durable floor on a budget, then sand and cement screed will do the job perfectly. However, if you’re working on a project where time is of the essence or you’re installing an underfloor heating system as well, liquid screed is the way to go.

No matter what kind of screed you require, you’re sure to get a top-quality product from Tor Multimix. We’ve been supplying and laying both traditional sand and cement screed and Gyvlon liquid screed for over 20 years now, serving domestic, commercial and industrial customers across Glastonbury, Bridgwater, Somerset and beyond.

If you want to know more or you’d like to get a free quote, contact our friendly team today.