The True Benefits of Using Liquid Screed

If you are considering renovating your home’s flooring, perhaps you are already overwhelmed by the number of options you have. Nowadays, you will not only choose the type of floor finish, but you also need to think about the sub-floor and which type is most compatible with the flooring material you want.

For many years, the most convenient choice was a sand and cement mix. Unfortunately, this choice has many disadvantages. For instance, it is labour intensive because you will have to mix and apply the blend manually. If the area is large, it will take a significant amount of time to finish. Although you can buy sand and cement premixed or delivered in slabs, there are still many steps involved in the process.

Liquid screed: a better choice than sand and cement

A better alternative would be to use liquid screed. Contractors like liquidscreed.co.uk will deliver the mixture on-site and use a pump for the application. From contacting the supplier until the screed gets delivered and applied, the process is incredibly swift and hassle-free. Liquid screed is also DIY-friendly which means that you need not be an expert to handle the installation and curing.

Underfloor heating compatibility

Since energy-efficient heating systems are popular today, many homeowners are considering the addition of underfloor heating. As such, you need to find the right sub-floor material to produce the best results. Luckily, liquid screed is the perfect solution. Once you pour the screed mix, it coats the heating pipes and does not leave any spaces or bubbles. This characteristic is critical to ensure that the heating appliance performs optimally.

Quick-drying and easy to manipulate

Although liquid screed appears to contain a significant amount of moisture, it dries out pretty quickly compared to other cement mixes. Another excellent characteristic of this type of screeding material is how it can achieve evenness because it flows and coats every corner covering any lump or bump showing in the concrete base. Also, liquid screed does not shrink or curl when applied in the right thickness. As such, you get excellent value for money, and the final floor finish will be high-performing.

Essential considerations when choosing liquid screed

Indeed there are many benefits to using liquid screed over traditional sand and cement. However, there are also critical considerations you need to keep in mind, especially during the application and curing process. Miscalculations can lead to problems, especially when it comes to drying time.

Although the liquid screed layer is ready for floor installation after drying, you still need to prep the surface and check if the surface is free from laitance and other contaminants. There are also different methods of applying liquid screed such as bonded and unbonded. Choosing a method depends on the floor material you are using. Hence, it is vital to consult with an expert contractor during every stage of the construction process. You need to ensure that you are not only following the right steps but have also accounted for all the factors that could impact the floor’s overall performance and quality.