Types of Floor Screed

There are several types of floor screeds you can use to achieve a well-screeded floor. The choice of the screed will depend on various factors such as the type of subfloor, the intended use of the floor, and the thickness of the screed required.

The four most common types of floor screeding material are:

• Cement Based Screed: This is the most common type of screed used in construction. It is made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water. It is ideal for use in areas with high traffic such as warehouses, factories, and car parks.
• Anhydrite Screed: This is a type of screed made from calcium sulphate. It is ideal for use in areas where a quick-drying screed is required. It is also suitable for use with underfloor heating systems.
• Calcium Sulphate Screed: This is a type of screed made from a mixture of calcium sulphate and sand. It is ideal for use in areas where a quick-drying screed is required. It is also suitable for use with underfloor heating systems.
• Self-Levelling Screed: This is a type of screed that is designed to level itself. It is ideal for use in areas where a smooth and level finish is required. It is also suitable for use with underfloor heating systems.

Self-Levelling Cementitious Floor Screeds

1) Industrial Grade Self Levelling Screed

Formulated primarily for the industrial and commercial sectors, screeds such as

Easi-Screed Industrial are one of the strongest self-levelling cementitious screeds on the market. They are also non-dusting and has extremely good flowability.  These products can be easily pumped and our contractors are able to installed up to 2000sq.m in just one day.

Furthermore, these screeds can be laid to a laser level finish where circumstances demand such accuracy.

2) ‘Standard’ Self-Levelling Cementitious Screeds

Formulated mainly for light industry and/or heavy domestic installations, these screeds may be laid as thin as only 2mm and up to 20mm in a single layer.  They are fast curing, non-dusting and will accept foot traffic after only 3-4 hours. Other floor coverings such as carpets may be laid after only 24 hours from placement of the screed.  Obviously, this is dependent upon the ambient temperature and atmospheric humidity levels.

3) Flexible Self-Levelling Screeds

Fast curing highly specialised self-levelling screed materials such as Easi-Screed Flexible have been professionally formulated for application over floors subject to movement or vibration and is ideal for the covering of underfloor heating systems.

They may be laid as this as 2mm and up to 50mm in a single layer. Should a thicker screed be required, the product can be laid in multiple layers. However, a minimum period of 24 hours should be allowed between each layer.

4) Self-Levelling Cementitious Screeds for External Use

The screeding and levelling of external concrete areas has long been a problem and many failures have been experienced by people using cementitious screeds unsuitable for external use.

It is therefore extremely important to take care when specifying self-levelling screeds for external uses.  Polycote UK have specifically formulated a product (Easi-Screed External) to withstand stresses caused by inclement weathering, whether it be hot or cold temperatures and/or wet or dry conditions.

Additional Helpful Information

With a view to helping the user to identify / specify the correct floor screed, this article has collated the following information from BS8204 and BS EN 13318:

Levelling screed – A screed suitably finished to obtain a defined level and to receive the final flooring. It does not contribute to the structural performance of the floor.

Wearing screed  – A screed that serves as flooring. This term was formerly known as high strength concrete topping. It is also used to refer to structural toppings as well as wearing surfaces.

Bonded Screed – A screed laid onto a mechanically prepared substrate with the intention of maximising potential bond.

Unbonded Screed – A screed intentionally separated from the substrate with the use of a membrane.

Floating Screed – A floor screed often laid on acoustic or thermal insulation.

Sand Cement Screed –A floor screed consisting of a screed material containing sharp sand and cement.

Fine Concrete Screed – A floor screed consisting of a concrete in which the maximum aggregate size is 10mm.

Related Articles

What is a Floor Screed?

How to Screed a Floor Using Sand Cement Screed

Checklist for self levelling floor screeds.

Polycote UK would like to take the opportunity to thank you for taking an interest in these product and application articles and hope they have been some help to you.

We would of course be pleased to answer any specific questions should you wish to contact us directly on 01234 846400 or email: help@polycote.com