Are the floors in your office uneven?
Whilst it might not seem like a big deal, floors that aren’t level pose a serious health and safety risk, not just for your employees but for visitors too.
The good news is, commercial floor screed provides a smooth, flat surface that’s comfortable and safe to walk on – eliminating the risk of people tripping over, injuring themselves and potentially making a claim against your business.
But the question is, which floor screed is right for you?
Here we take a look at the two main types of floor screed available and their pros and cons.
Liquid screed
Liquid screeds (also referred to as anhydrite screeds) use a binding agent called calcium sulphate rather than concrete. Water is added to the mix and forms gypsum which makes for a highly durable, self-levelling compound that’s compatible with all flooring types.
Pros of liquid floor screeds
- Low cost – liquid screed is typically poured from a hose, reducing the need for manual labour. Plus, with these screeds, a little goes a long way. They can be applied in a thin layer, meaning fewer wastages.
- Self-levelling – pumped liquid screeds are generally self-levelling and self-curing, which allows for a sleek finish. This is favoured in commercial environments where precast concrete beams and block floors with a camber may cause an issue when applying the final floor covering.
- Compatible with underfloor heating (UFH) – liquid screeds encase underfloor heating pipes and eliminate voids. They enhance heat transfer and prevent hot and cold spots throughout the room.
Cons of liquid floor screeds
- Extensive prep work is required – to maximise its effectiveness, a professional needs to prepare the pouring surface and product, which ultimately costs you in tools and labour. The liquid screed also needs to be sanded to ensure it doesn’t impair the installation of the flooring above.
Traditional sand and cement screed
Despite being one of the oldest types of screed, sand and cement-based products are still used for projects of all sizes today – ranging from domestic to large scale industrial and commercial applications.
Fibres are often added to traditional floor screeds to increase their strength and durability whilst also reducing cracks and shrinkage.
Pros of sand and cement screeds
- Durable – when mixed, sand and cement create a hardwearing compound that can be poured over the top of almost any subfloor. When used in areas that receive heavy foot traffic, these screeds can last for many years.
- Energy-efficient – traditional floor screeds have a high thermal mass that improves the building’s thermal retention and energy efficiency, whilst cutting down on energy costs and waste.
- Easy to maintain – when used as the final covering, sand and cement floor screed requires minimal upkeep. In fact, all it takes to keep your flooring looking great is a stiff brush and warm soapy water. To enhance its look further, you may wish to polish it too.
Cons of sand and cement screeds
- No flexibility – once set, traditional screeds offer little flexibility, which puts them at greater risk of cracking. And if a crack does occur, it can be difficult to patch up.
Want to benefit from professional commercial floor screeding?
JCW Floor Screeding has been supplying and installing top quality sand and cement screeds for many years. During this time, they have earned an enviable reputation for commercial floor screeding and have had the privilege of working with clients from various sectors.
JCW’s floor screeds are fibre-reinforced for added durability, and some are fast-drying, allowing site traffic to resume sooner.
The JCW team will be more than happy to provide their fantastic products and services for your upcoming project. So, why not get in touch?