What is liquid screed?

Liquid screed is often the better option for fast, level floors and underfloor heating, but traditional cement screed is still preferred in some applications.

Liquid anhydrite screed is pumped, self-levelling and gives a very flat finish with less labour and faster installation.
It offers better thermal conductivity than sand-and-cement, so it works particularly well with underfloor heating at reduced depths.

It has low shrinkage, which helps to reduce the risk of cracking when correctly designed and installed.It is, however, sensitive to moisture and is not generally specified for wet rooms, showers or areas with standing water.

Surface laitance must be removed, and compatible primers and adhesives must be used, as not all flooring products are suitable for direct application to anhydrite screeds.

Cement-based screeds are widely used and compatible with most floor finishes. They perform better than liquid screed in wet or externally exposed locations, but they take longer to dry and are more prone to shrinkage-related cracking.

Liquid screed and sand-cement (dry) screed are both used to create a level base, but they perform differently and suit different types of projects.

Liquid screed is pump-applied and a free-flowing anhydrite-based mix that self-levels.
Sand-cement screed is laid semi-dry and levelled by hand. It is a traditional blend of sand, cement and water.

Liquid screed is poured, dappled and quickly achieves a flat, consistent surface with minimal manual finishing and high daily outputs.
Sand-cement screed is more labour-intensive, slower to install and relies on the installer to achieve levels.

Liquid screed dries more quickly and can be walked on or covered sooner than dry screed. It reaches floor-covering readiness more quickly at lower depths.
Sand-cement screed generally needs longer to cure and dry, which can extend the programme.

Liquid screed offers better thermal conductivity and fully surrounds UFH pipes, improving heat transfer. Sand-cement screed has lower thermal performance and a higher risk of voids around pipework.

For most jobs, liquid screed is laid to a minimum thickness of 35-50 mm. The exact depth depends on the product, the subfloor and whether theres underfloor heating in the buildup.

As a rule of thumb, underfloor heating usually needs sufficient cover over the pipes or cables to provide good strength and heat transfer, which is why most systems sit in the 40-50 mm range overall.

Hogan Concrete can also supply self-levelling screeds that go down much thinner, where you just need to take out minor variations rather than install a full-depth screed. The final answer should always come from the data sheet for the screed youre using on that project.

At Hogan we have a preferred list of approved contractors who we have quality controlled to ensure they can follow the system optimally. Please contact one of our team today who will be able to price and supply information, on 01248 353 595 or email saleshogan-group.com