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    What Is The Difference Between Concrete And Floor Screeds?

    What is the difference between screed and concrete?

    What is the difference between concrete and floor screeds? We look at the types of screed available and how screed differs in texture and use from concrete.

    Composition

    Concrete and screed are successfully made of the same three basic ingredients, such as the following: aggregates, cement and water. The composition and the aggregates involved can be the sheer difference between the two materials; the basic chemistry is what defines them.

    The impressive durability and strength of concrete come directly from the compactness of such large and coarse aggregates in its mixture.
    Most screeds, however, are created with finer, considerably fewer aggregates, providing it with a relatively smoother quality that allows it to be more suitable for finishing off DIY or residential projects.

    You can also use them for specific commercial locations that don’t receive the same level of heavy-load weights in a more rigorous environment. If the specific project requires more durability or thermal insulation, you may require a more robust screed.

    Appearance and Texture

    Upon your initial glance, concrete and screed can appear relatively similar, and it can be rather challenging to uncover which is which with the untrained eye.

    If possible, the key to spotting the difference is assessing the texture whilst both materials are in their liquid form.

    You’ll find that concrete has a rougher texture, and you’ll be able to detect the presence of more pronounced aggregates, some of which can reach up to 20mm per stone.

    On the other hand, screed presents itself in a far smoother blend, consisting of far smaller aggregates of 4-5mm each.

    Uses

    Concrete is widely used in the construction industry. It is primarily popular due to its incredible strength when curating colourful or functional floors, pavements, walls, landscaping surfaces, building structures, and many other features concerning the construction of domestic and commercial properties or outdoor spaces.

    The screed’s most desirable quality is that it’s smooth and offers customers an aesthetically pleasing finish, perfect for layering over the top of concrete subfloors or for internal floors.

    When combined, concrete and screed can provide clients and customers with visually stunning flooring or landscapes with immense sturdiness and polish.

    Application

    It possesses a fine quality lacking any aggregates that give the paste a smooth mix consistency, which ensures it can be easily and evenly applied with a trowel and no specific skills to get the job done successfully.
    People may achieve it with calcium sulphate screed and polymer modified screed, which is utilised by customers on the market, offering enhanced strength, such as compressive, tensile and flexural strength.

    However, concrete has a particularly coarse structure in comparison and therefore requires specialist equipment to mix and apply it to a subfloor. Skilled individuals must complete the job of concrete application as it requires high-quality performance, efficiency and a focus on safety.

    What is screed?

    Screed is more commonly known as a relatively thin layer of bonding agent or material that professional builders place on top of concrete subfloors.
    Typically, screed involves a mixture of sharp sand and cement; however, builders may add more coarse aggregates to curate a thicker cement paste if you require a more industrial concoction.

    In many construction cases, screed layers will be topped with a decorative finishing layer for domestic and commercial uses.
    However, this step can be left out; for example, it feels unnecessary to add such aesthetic value as polished concrete when constructing bare concrete surfaces for warehouses, where marks and scuffs are typically expected.

    What are the different types of screeds?

    There are three essential types of screed used in the construction industry; they consist of the following:

    Bonded

    The screed can be bonded, and this means you may directly apply it to a concrete base inside a property. It bonds to the base with specific bonding agents and aggregates.
    Bonded screed is a method used by many environments, especially those areas where you may expect heavy footfall and heavy loads to pass across or stay stationary on top of. Bonding is usually the alternative if there is no room for an unbonded screen

    Unbonded

    Unbonded screed is something professionals can lay atop any damp proof membrane. It must be a recommended thickness of at least 50mm, and you’ll be happy to know that you won’t suffer from any shrinkage or settlement damage along the way with its unbonded structure.

    Floating

    Floating is when the screed is used as an insulation material or alongside it. Such types of screed are more commonly found in flooring that already has underfloor heating, which is what informs its thickness of 65-75mm, perfect for both lightly-tread on and heavily-loaded floors.

    Do concrete and screed concrete look different?

    Concrete slabs and floor screeds are cleverly made from bonding mixtures of aggregate, water and cement; however, the most significant difference between the two is the aggregate used to create them.

    Professional contractors and builders will add more hardcore aggregates, such as gravel and small stones, to curate a hardened mass when mixing concrete.
    Small natural stones like gravel are typically 20mm in size or smaller, providing workability, strength and immense durability. The aggregates create a much coarser mixture that is more suitable for roads, pavements, driveways and outdoor terrain once cement paste hardens.
    When it comes to screed, professionals don’t tend to use coarse aggregate to develop cement mixtures; in their place, screed utilises high-quality sand and cement mixtures. Grains of sharp sand of approximately 4mm at minimum get mixed in as a bonding agent, which curates the tightly packed texture.

    It makes for a perfect top layer. They use a process called hydration, as water will react with the aggregate particles. If there is too little water, the cement particles will be dehydrated, creating a weak flooring layer, where leaking or shrinkage can occur.

    What is the ideal thickness for concrete or screed?

    Concrete is typically laid on with a thickness more than what would usually be applied for screed; as for domestic use, you require a 100mm concrete thickness. You may wish to double the thickness, especially in rooms or areas that require more durability due to heavy, frequent use.

    On the other hand, screed has its minimum thickness set at approximately 50mm to 100mm. The recommended amount will typically vary depending on the type of screed you apply, the predicted footfall, the finish you desire, and the location’s specifics.

    For example, if there are lots of sloping areas, you may need a little more liquid screed to ensure the area is covered and even.

    What are concrete and floor screeds used for?

    Concrete is one of the ideal materials for building as it can reach incredibly high compressive strengths. The man-made material has a variety of other standout qualities, such as it is remarkably economical, non-combustible, durable and long-lasting.
    Concrete is an immensely versatile material, its quality-assured and therefore safe to utilise in vast applications, no matter if you wish to use it in small home renovation projects or large-scale structural purposes.

    Companies can deliver ready mixed concrete to various different sites and households for many external and internal purposes, including:

    Screed is more used as a top layer for concrete flooring and less for structural works. Final floor coverings like carpets, resin flooring, tiles, wood flooring and linoleum can be lined underneath with screed for further protection, smoothening and more insulation properties.

    It’s designed to be durable enough to withstand or undergo frequent foot traffic and use. Such durability allows it to be far more long-lasting, providing an incredibly even surface level for many years. The screed formula can be used as a solution for underfloor heating systems as its layers make the rooms warmer.

    There are three existing types of screed that you may or may not be aware of, including Bonded Screed, Unbonded Screed and Floating Screed Layers.
    Bonded screed is where the mixture is compacted directly with your flooring base or surface.
    Unbonded screed is generally laid atop damp-proof membranes and can alternatively be applied as floating screed layers, laid atop insulation boards or flooring.