A Step-By-Step Process for Screeding a Floor and Its Efficiencies
The recent advancements in the field of construction bring revolution in this building industry (construction). This trend is responsible for the introduction of several types of construction materials such as on-site mix concrete, Precast cladding panels, masonry and so on. One of these materials is a screed which is considered as best flooring material. The demand for this material has been rising since it came into existence. If you want to purchase this material for your construction project, meet with experts at ‘The Thames Concrete’. This blog post presents a complete guide to floor screeding and highlighting key efficiencies to ensure your project is a resounding success. So, stay tuned to it.
What is Floor Screed?
No matter that you are a professional builder or a seasoned DIY enthusiast, a deep understanding of the step-by-step process of screeding is essential for achieving a flawless finish. If talk about the formation of the floor screed, it is a blend of cement, sharp sand, and water. These all materials come together to form an exceptional construction material that is suitable for rebuilding a level surface for the floor. Thus, the floor screed serves as the floor’s foundation and has a significant impact on its overall look.
Moreover, chemicals are occasionally applied to attain particular qualities. To reinforce the onsite mixed screed, polymer materials, metal mesh, or glass are probably to be added. The quantities of the prepared substance are used to ensure that these ingredients are sufficiently blended. A mixture of one Portland cement to three sands or one Portland cement to four sands is advised if the floor screed’s thickness is not greater than 40 mm.
However, 1.5 fine sand to 1 cement If there is more than 40 mm of floor screed, then 3 coarse aggregate (with a maximum aggregate size of 10 mm) should be taken into consideration. Note that drying shrinkage decreases with decreasing the ratio of cement to sand. For the necessary workability, an appropriate water quantity should be given, too little water results in poor compaction, while too much water weakens the floor screed. Therefore, the quantity of each ingredient must be equal to get good results.
Do Concrete and Screed look different?
Definitely, there is a noticeable difference between onsite mixed screed and concrete, especially in terms of texture and gloss. A concrete floor looks rough and more rugged due to the utilisation of the coarse particles. Because of its sturdy character, it is suitable for structural components, load-bearing applications, and foundational tasks. On the other hand, the screed has a smoother, more refined surface material, due to the use of finer pebbles. Its primary purpose is cosmetic, by providing a more immaculate surface, it endows the floor with both practicality and visual attractiveness.
Furthermore, your decision between concrete and screed will have a significant impact on the final appearance of your home, whether you are going for the clean, modern lines of a modern home or the organic, unfinished look of a loft.
How to Make a Floor with Screed?
The following steps must be followed in the process of screeding in construction:
Divide the Area
The floor you want to screed is first divided into parts. Use timber pieces that are straight and long, equal to the height of the layer you intend to screed. Ensure that these fragments are moist and easily removable at a later time.
Apply a Layer of Screed
Start by applying a level layer of screed mixture to the area farthest from the room’s entrance, using a trowel to spread it out and a screed board or straightedge to compact it. Complete the screeding of the area by smoothing the edges with a tamper.
Level the Floor
If your screed does not level itself, you will want a levelling compound. The surface can be levelled with a straightedge or a piece of wood. It can be placed over the wooden pieces you want to use as dividers, pushed forward, tilted so the corner serves as a cutting edge, and moved side to side to allow visibility through the material. A levelling compound is probably already mixed into your screed if it self-levels. When the screed is poured, it reacts and causes the screed to compact naturally.
Repeat
Do not stop doing screeding until the concrete or sand screed floor is finished in all of its portions. Fill up the spaces left by the timber dividers after they have been removed.
Float & Cure the Screed
Once the new screed layer is in place and after the concrete has properly bled, you should be able to fix any flaws in it. It takes around seven days for a screed layer to dry if it is left uncovered beneath a polyethene sheet sealed around the edges. It also depends on how big and what layer the screeded area is.
Unsuitable Cleaning
The floor needs a minimum of three more weeks to dry after curing. It is advisable to forego adding any further flooring layers at this time.
Contact The Thames Concrete Experts
Screed is a popular option for creating a solid foundation for floors in construction. This is a perfect alternative if you are looking for some other material choices for your floor surface than concrete. To end your confusion you can take the advice of experts at ‘The Thames Concrete’. They will not only assist you in choosing the suitable material for your floor surface but also guide you about its installation and benefits. So, feel free to resolve your queries with us.
