An overview of liquid screeds

There are essentially two main types of liquid screeds. Calcium sulphate based Anhydrite/Gypsum screeds and Cementitious screeds. Both are extremely good products when used correctly.

Liquid screeds have many benefits:

Self compacting, so great when used over/around underfloor heating pipes, filling all voids.

Good heat transfer with underfloor heating.

Increased productivity- 2,000m2/day can easily be achieved.

Can be walked on in 24-48 hours.

No reinforcement required.

Low shrinkage - does not curl and reduces the risk of cracking.

Significantly reduced thickness when compared to traditional sand & cement screed.

Much larger bay sizes without the need for expansion joints, depending on application.

There is a wide range of Calcium based liquid screed products, to cover all project requirements.

Something to bare in mind when opting for a Calcium based screed, is that they will form a surface laitance (crust) when drying. This will have to be removed by means of mechanical sanding/grinding before adhering any floor finishes. If this is not done, then the floor finishes will almost definitely "pop" and lift in time.

The Cementitious liquid screeds tend to have shorter drying times, which is great where projects have time constraints. They are a little more expensive (Approx' £45-£50 per m3) but they do not form a surface laitance, so more cost effective in the long run.

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