A concrete floor screed is the ideal flooring replacement for traditional concrete slab floors. Comprised of a high-density wood fiberboard, covered with a layer of cement, it provides an aesthetically appealing surface that is easy to maintain.
Depending on your preferences and needs, you may be able to choose between various decorative finishes. The main thing is that concrete flooring screed boards are extremely durable. Moreover, they provide protection against flooding and other damage caused by water leakage or ground subsidence in foundation walls.
Concrete Screeding
This is easy to install and is a cost-effective solution that can be used in any room of your house. However, it’s important for you to choose the right flooring option and remember all pros and cons related to its application.
Concrete screeding is an inexpensive way to turn your home into a more comfortable and cozy abode within a relatively short period of time. All you need is to make some basic preparations, familiarize yourself with every different type of floor screed available on the market today and contact professional contractors who may gladly help you deal with all technical aspects associated with concrete floor installation.
What is Screed Concrete?
Screed boards are a great way to transform a room into an attractive and functional space without spending too much money. Keep in mind that even though they can be used outdoors, you could avoid leaving them exposed to moisture for extended periods of time.
Using wood fibre screed boards is also a good idea if you want to make your flooring surface resistant to heat or cold under the influence of weather conditions. In addition, this type of material ranks high on the cost-effectiveness scale and provides you with superior performance at all times.
Types of Screed Boards
Screed boards are available in various forms, colours and sizes. It’s up to you to choose the right variant based on your needs and preferences. Keep in mind that screeds come with different surface finishes, which can be either smooth or rough, depending on your requirements. The more irregular the finish of a particular product is, the better it adheres to cement plaster coats.
A great way to enhance your home décor is by using decorative concrete screed flooring products created by talented designers who employ cutting-edge technologies for their production. These modern solutions feature raised patterns made from recycled glass or natural stones that look beautiful and complement existing furniture pieces or other accessories found throughout the house.
Calcium Sulphate Screed Boards
A great way to make your floor resistant to constant exposure to moisture is by using calcium sulphate screed boards. These products are capable of absorbing excess humidity in the air, which prevents water infiltration into supporting ground or foundation walls.
Traditional Screeds
The traditional boards are made out of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Since they are made from a lightweight material, EPS screed boards enhance the overall performance of your floor. The main benefit is their easy installation and high resistance to moisture and physical damage caused by heavy items such as furniture or appliances.
Keep in mind that traditional screed boards are also an excellent choice in case you want to create a solid and durable surface for your flooring.
On the other hand, they are not able to absorb high amounts of moisture and become spongy if exposed to constant exposure to water or humidity.
Floating Screed Boards
Floating screed boards are great for use on concrete subfloors that are perfectly flat and level. They function by filling in any gaps between the floor joists, which makes them ideal for covering your entire flooring surface without leaving visible seams. The perfect choice for a smooth surface.
This is an Eco-friendly solution that offers excellent insulation properties and enhances seismic performance to some extent. It’s also highly resistant to humidity, has low expansion under pressure and can be installed with minimal effort, regardless of existing subfloor conditions.
Modern floating screed boards made out of recycled paper come with several distinct features, such as good dimensional stability over time, high water resistance and enhanced acoustic insulation levels. Keep in mind that they are available in bright white colour only so you won’t be able to create a floor covering that matches the existing décor in your home.
High-density Fibre Screed Boards
Fibre screed boards offer a great combination of qualities, which allows you to enjoy a durable and aesthetic floor surface. This type of board is made from a mixture of HDF (high-density fibreboard) and bitumen. It’s commonly used in interior applications due to its ability to resist moisture penetration into the material.
Cement Screed Boards
Cement screed boards are one of the most popular products available in today’s flooring market. They don’t warp and retain their original flatness for many years.
You can also use this type of material in bathrooms, kitchens or other areas where humidity is an issue. You can easily wipe away dust and dirt with a damp mop. Moreover, you won’t have to spend hours on end cleaning your floor because it’s designed to be rather easy to maintain.
Bonded Screed Boards
Using bonded screed boards is a great way to create a smooth and cohesive layer of the highest quality. In addition, they are very easy to install. You can do it yourself or hire professional contractors who may take care of this job for you in a timely manner at a low cost.
It’s also worth mentioning that this type of flooring doesn’t have any seams or joints, which means that it resists moisture and prevents mould from developing under its surface. Moreover, all concrete screeds available on the market today feature high levels of stability as well as resistance to everyday wear and tear. If properly used, they’ll serve their owners for many years without losing their original looks or strength characteristics.
In addition, these types of products are available in various colouring options that can be mixed according to your tastes and preferences.
Unbonded Screed Boards
Unbonded screed boards, unlike bonded variants, feature open joints and don’t require any adhesives or other special tools for installation. You can do it all by yourself and save money in the process.
Keep in mind that besides being very easy to install they are also resistant to moisture and warp. They come in a variety of bright colours that may add a unique touch to your home decor.
If you’re tired of cold floors during wintertime, this is the material you’ve been looking for. In addition, this type of product provides good insulation against noise from outside sources. Unbonded screed boards are available in various thicknesses and sizes depending on what you need at a given time.
Open Screed Boards
Open screed boards are exactly what you need if you want to create a permeable surface. They are resistant to moisture but still allow vapour to pass through, which makes them the perfect solution for basements and other areas of your property that require extra ventilation paired with high levels of insulation. Plus, they come in various thicknesses and sizes, which means you can easily find an option that may fit seamlessly into your existing design.
How are Screed Boards Installed?
Screed boards are installed in a number of ways, depending on your preferences. The most common technique is called dry screeding, which involves installing the boards directly onto the surface to be covered without using any adhesives or other means of bonding. This method is easy to apply and doesn’t require the use of special tools. Workers also remove excess concrete from the concrete flooring during the board installation.
If you create an even layer of mortar on top of your supporting gypsum board, you may get a smooth finish that may make it easier for you to design different patterns. However, it’s important to remember that this approach requires considerable skill because mistakes can quickly lead to ruined surfaces. It’s why professionals are often called in for any floor screed job.
Benefits of Screed Boards
Screed boards offer many benefits, including the fact that they’re made from eco-friendly materials such as calcium sulphate and cement. They are easy to maintain, offer great durability and resistance to everyday wear. These products are also available in a number of different designs, textures and colours in order to help you enhance your home décor in any way possible. You can also use screed boards for underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is another niche that’s gaining popularity in today’s market thanks to the sheer variety of benefits that people can enjoy.
Screed boards are resistant to rot, mould growth and liquids, which means they are suitable for use in bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and even basements. What’s more, they are great for people who want to create a thick layer on their floors without having to spend too much.
Screed boards also offer great acoustic or thermal insulation as well as acoustic insulation, which makes them a worthy investment for many homeowners. You can use them to create a comfortable living environment that meets your needs and expectations.
Disadvantages of Screed Boards
It’s important to remember that screed boards aren’t a universal solution for all types of floors. They may not be what you need in areas where you have pets or small children. In addition, the installation process is difficult and requires specialised skills because it can cause considerable damage if done incorrectly.
Other disadvantages include the fact that these types of floorings won’t hold your furniture in place or protect it against damaging moisture infiltration or other forms of exposure to humidity. Another issue is price. Screeding concrete is more expensive than many other available options, including ceramic tiles and laminate flooring.
