Liquid screed is one of the many different types of screed used in construction processes. Sometimes it can be somewhat overlooked as a construction material. However, it has stood the test of time and continues to be a popular and regularly used type of screed.
It has practical and beneficial applications in construction projects of all shapes and sizes. This article will take you through some of these benefits and applications regarding the usefulness of liquid screed and how it can be advantageous to you.
Liquid screed is one of the most suitable materials to use on your floors when introducing underfloor heating. Due to its flexible and versatile nature, liquid screed can be poured around any pipes connected to the underfloor heating system. Other forms of screed might not be able to work around any joints or gaps which the system creates. Additionally, the close forming pouring of liquid screed also means that the heat dissipated through the underfloor heating is better distributed through the floor. This again helps to create better thermal efficiency.
Liquid screed is often confused with standard concrete. However, they are two very different construction materials. Yet, what they do share, is that they both operate in a similar fashion, namely that they are both poured and left to set. Screed is poured onto the top of concrete in order to give it a more smooth, level and neat looking surface. On top of this screed layer can be placed any flooring you like, such as carpeting or wood. It is becoming increasingly popular to simply buff and polish the top liquid screed layer in more modern properties and leave the flooring in its concrete form.
Liquid screed is known as “self-levelling screed” because it is liquid and will naturally settle neatly over a level surface. As previously mentioned, liquid screed is the best flooring material to use if you have underfloor heating. The liquid will form a tight seal around all of the pipes and heating systems used in the underfloor heating, creating a perfectly level floor as well as snug points of contact for the heating system to disseminate heat through the floor. Additionally, unlike traditional sand and cement screed mixtures, liquid screed does not shrink or curl once it has been poured. It will maintain the shape you have poured it into whilst it cures, which is just one of the many advantages of liquid screed.
