Are you planning to redo your floors at home? If so, you might want to learn about screed. This special material goes under your final flooring and makes a big difference to how your floors look and feel. At National Mini Mixers, we deliver ready-mix screed to homes across Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Let’s explore what screed is and the benefits of using screed in your home projects.
What is Screed?
Screed is similar to concrete but much finer. While concrete contains large stones (aggregates), screed is mainly cement and sand, giving it a smoother texture. It creates a flat, even surface on top of a concrete base, ready for your final flooring such as tiles, carpet, or wood.
Think of it like this: concrete provides the strong foundation, and screed is the smooth layer that makes everything level for your finished floor. There are different types of screed including traditional cement screed and modern liquid screed, each with their own advantages for different situations.
Top Benefits of Using Screed in Home Projects
1. Creates Perfectly Smooth Floors
One of the main benefits of using screed is how flat and level it makes your floors. Walking on bumpy or uneven floors can be annoying and dangerous! Screed fixes this by creating a perfectly level surface from floor to ceiling.
This is especially important when laying tiles, laminate, or wooden flooring. These materials need a flat surface underneath or they might crack, lift, or feel uneven underfoot.
For DIY projects, having a smooth base makes the job quick and easy. You’ll use less adhesive, waste less time trying to fix uneven spots, and get a much better finish for your final flooring.
2. Works Brilliantly with Underfloor Heating
More homes now have underfloor heating, especially in living room areas. Screed works perfectly with these heating systems, offering several advantages:
- It protects the heating pipes or cables
- Spreads heat evenly across your floor
- Holds onto heat longer, saving energy
- Prevents hot or cold spots
Liquid screed is particularly good for underfloor heating as it flows around the heating pipes with fewer air gaps. This improves heat transfer and makes your heating system more efficient, keeping your living room cosy for longer even after the heating is turned off.
3. Makes Your Home More Energy Efficient
Certain types of screed have great insulating properties that stop heat escaping through your floors. This is a huge benefit for home projects where energy efficiency matters.
Using insulating screed can:
- Reduce heat loss
- Lower your heating bills
- Make your home more eco-friendly
These benefits are especially useful for ground floor rooms or homes with cold floors. If you’re doing a major renovation or extension, insulating screed could save you money in the long run through lower heating costs.
4. Improves Sound Insulation
Do you get annoyed by footsteps from upstairs, or worry about your TV disturbing others? Screed helps reduce sound travelling between floors, which is great for:
- Multi-storey homes
- Flats and apartments
- Home offices
- Living rooms with TVs or music systems
The thickness of the screed affects its sound insulation properties. Thicker screed layers (around 65-75mm) generally block more sound than thinner ones, giving you a quieter, more peaceful home.
5. Quick and Easy to Install
Modern screeds, especially liquid screed types, can be quick and easy to install compared to traditional flooring methods. They can be pumped into place, covering large areas quickly and with minimal effort.
This makes screed ideal for DIY projects where saving time is important. Even for larger areas, screed can be laid in a single day, allowing you to move on to the next stage of your project sooner.
The drying times for screed have also improved greatly with modern formulations. According to the Royal Institute of British Architects, flowing screeds offer faster installation times without compromising quality, which is important for home renovation projects with tight schedules. While traditional cement screed might take weeks to fully dry (roughly 1 day per millimetre of thickness), some fast-drying options can be ready for final flooring in just a few days.
Types of Screed for Different Home Projects
Traditional Cement Screed
This common type is made from cement and sand. It’s affordable and durable, making it suitable for most home uses. It can be used in any room and provides a solid base for all types of final flooring.
Self-Levelling Liquid Screed
This modern option flows into place and creates an extremely smooth surface with minimal effort. It’s perfect for:
- Underfloor heating systems
- Large open areas like living rooms
- Projects where a perfectly flat floor is essential
- Situations where quick drying times are important
Liquid screed typically dries faster than traditional cement screed, allowing you to install your final flooring sooner and complete your project in less time.
Using Screed in Specific Home Projects
Living Room Renovations
The living room is where we spend most of our time, so comfort is important. Screed helps by:
- Creating a perfectly flat surface for any type of floor covering
- Providing an ideal base for underfloor heating
- Improving insulation so the floor feels warmer underfoot
- Reducing noise transmission
For open-plan living areas, liquid screed can create a seamless floor across the entire space, giving a modern, clean look when your final flooring is installed.
Kitchen and Bathroom Updates
Kitchens and bathrooms benefit from screed because:
- It creates a level base for appliances and fittings
- You can form slight slopes towards drains for better water drainage
- It works well with underfloor heating
- It provides a perfect base for tiles
In these rooms, moisture-resistant screed or appropriate waterproofing is important to protect your floor from water damage over time.
DIY Projects and Extensions
For DIY enthusiasts taking on home improvement projects, screed offers:
- A relatively simple way to create a professional-quality subfloor
- Flexibility to work with various final flooring options
- The ability to level uneven floors in older properties
- A chance to add modern features like underfloor heating
If you’re building an extension, screed helps ensure your new floor matches the level of existing floors and provides a clean, flat working surface for the rest of the build.
How We Can Help with Your Screed Project
At National Mini Mixers, we understand that home projects are important, whether they’re small DIY jobs or major renovations. We offer:
- Ready-mix screed delivered to your door
- Same-day delivery service
- Expert advice on the right screed for your project
- Flexible quantities for jobs of any size
Our family business has been supplying quality concrete and screed since 1985, delivering throughout Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and South Yorkshire. For difficult access locations, we can help with concrete pump hire to move the screed where you need it. Find out more about our concrete pumps for hire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should screed be?
The thickness depends on the type and purpose. Bonded screed (attached directly to concrete) can be as thin as 25-40mm. Unbonded screed should be at least 50mm thick. For screed over insulation or with underfloor heating, you’ll need 65-75mm thickness for best results.
How long do drying times take for different types of screed?
Traditional cement screed typically takes about 1 day per millimetre of thickness to dry completely. So a 50mm screed would take around 50 days before final flooring can be laid, although you can usually walk on it after 24-48 hours. Modern liquid screeds can dry much faster, sometimes in just 1-2 weeks, making them ideal for quick and easy installations.
Can I lay screed myself as a DIY project?
Yes, it’s possible for small areas, especially if you use ready-mixed screed delivered to your door. However, for larger areas or if you want a perfect finish, professional help might be better. Our ready-mix service makes DIY screeding much easier by delivering the exact amount you need, properly mixed and ready to use.
Is screed suitable for all types of final flooring?
Yes, screed creates a suitable base for virtually all floor coverings including tiles, stone, wood, laminate, vinyl, carpet, and resin floors. Just make sure the screed is fully dry before laying your final flooring to prevent moisture problems later on.
Ready to Start Your Project?
The benefits of using screed in home projects are clear – from perfectly level floors and improved energy efficiency to better sound insulation and compatibility with underfloor heating. Whether you’re renovating your living room, updating your kitchen, or taking on a major extension, screed provides the perfect foundation for successful results.
Need help with your screed project? Our domestic concrete service in Sheffield can provide everything you need. Contact National Mini Mixers today at our contact page for expert advice and reliable delivery across South Yorkshire.
