Concrete is the most common material used in construction worldwide, and screed concrete is a crucial component for creating complex designs and building strong structures.
Basically, this type of concrete is a thin layer (between 25mm to 75mm) thick), which is applied over a concrete substrate.
This concrete type is mostly used to create a firm and flat surface for additional construction. In addition, it is also used as a strong base for different types of flooring requirements.
Table of Contents
In this blog, we have detailed description for understanding screed concrete, including its characteristics, uses, types and advantages.
What is Screed Concrete?
Screed concrete is a special mix, containing cement, sand and water. Certain additives are mixed with this composition to enhance specific properties of concrete, depending on different requirements in construction projects.
For instance, screed concrete can be mixed to enhance final strength, or change the average curing time of the concrete. Thanks to easy modification, the screed concrete is truly a versatile construction solution, and finds a wide range of applications in different types of construction.
This concrete can also be applied using different techniques, such as manual or using mixers and pumps for large-scale projects. It can also be applied using specially designed screeding equipment.
Each application method has its own advantages, including incredible precision and efficiency. This helps to achieve the desired finish and strength in the concrete component.
Owing to its incredible versatility and use, screed concrete has become the go-to solution for various construction aspects, such as forming strong base for decorative floorings, ensuring smoother concrete surfaces, and enhancing overall strength of the concrete structures.
Types of Screed Concrete
Thanks to advances in construction technology, there are various types of screed concrete available in the market today, including –
Floating screed
Floating screed concrete is designed for creating under-floors with heating facilities. This form of screed is applied over a layer of insulation, usually with a slip membrane between the insulation and the screed layer.
Bonded screed
Bonded screed concrete is laid directly over an existing concrete surface, after mixing it with a special bonding agent. This additive makes the concrete adhere strongly to the additional layer.
This form of concrete is highly useful for renovation projects where existing concrete surfaces need to be covered with a new layer of concrete.
Un-bonded screed
Un-bonded screed concrete is applied in a less-than 50mm film, over a protective moisture-proof layer. It does not bond directly with the lower substrate.
Polymer-based screed
Polymer-based screed concrete is made by adding special polymer compounds that increase the concrete’s strength, adhesion, and flexibility. This type of concrete is mostly required in construction projects where highest final strength is the main goal.
Fiber-infused screed
The fiber-infused screed is reinforced with glass or polypropylene fibers. These fibers help to enhance the tensile strength of the concrete, and prevent the chances of cracks developing on its surface.
Hence, fiber-reinforced screed concrete is mostly used in areas with high foot and vehicular traffic, thanks to its additional durability.
Fast-setting screed
The fast-setting type of screed is designed to cure and harden swiftly. This property makes it perfect for use in construction projects that require faster finishing.
Self-leveling screed
The self-leveling screed concrete has higher fluidity which makes it free-flowing. This helps to create incredibly level surfaces using less labor. This screed is mostly used as a substrate for fixing tiles and other similar flooring materials.
Each of these screed concrete types has their individual benefits, and drawbacks. Hence, it is crucial to select the best-suited screed according to the specific needs of the construction project.
Uses of Screed Concrete
As mentioned above, screed concrete is one of the most versatile construction compounds available in the market. Let’s find out some of the most popular uses of screed concrete in modern construction projects –
Floor heating
The floating screed concrete is most useful to cover and protect heating pipes that run under the floor. This helps to make sure that the heat distribution is even and effortless.
Leveling surfaces
Screed is also widely used to create a flat, even surface which is perfectly level. This is especially useful to cover rough or uneven concrete surfaces.
Flooring/Substrate
Screed type of concrete also serves as a strong, firm base before laying any flooring material. For instance, using screed concrete as a base helps to ensure tiles, carpets, and even wooden flooring materials adhere strongly and stay in place for a longer period of time.
Industrial/Commercial uses
Certain heavy-duty screed concrete mixes are also used in areas where higher durability and resistance to wear and tear are crucial. For instance, special screed concrete is formulated for use as flooring material for factories, warehouses, and other commercial places.
Thermal/Acoustic insulation
At times, screed is also combined with some insulation materials to enhance the structure’s thermal and acoustic properties.
Aesthetic enhancing
Lastly, special decorative or polished screed concrete can also serve as an excellent final finish for floors. This way, the concrete provides exceptional functionality and offers incredible aesthetic advantages too.
Screed Concrete: Characteristics
Now that we’ve seen the types and uses, let’s check out the major characteristics of screed concrete –
Workability
Correctly mixed screed concrete provides exceptional workability. This helps with easier application and ensures a smooth finish to the concrete surface too.
Durability/Strength
Screed concrete is inherently strong and can bear significantly heavy loads without cracking or getting damaged. This makes it an ideal choice of material for building strong and durable buildings, both residential and commercial.
Water-resistance
When mixed with certain construction chemicals, such as water-proofing membranes, screed concrete effectively prevents water and moisture from seeping into the concrete component.
This helps to protect the structure from short and long-term damage often caused by improper sealing and porous concrete mixes.
Thermal conduction
Certain screed concretes, such as those used for under-floor heating systems, provide excellent thermal conduction. This helps to improve the system’s energy efficiency and cut down on utility bills significantly.
Crack prevention
Some screed concretes, such as polymer-based and fiber-infused screed, are designed to lower the chances of cracks in concrete components, especially caused by heavy loads or thermal stress.
Density/Thickness
You can easily buy screed concrete with different types of thickness, to fulfill specific requirements of different construction projects.
It is easy to adjust the density or thickness of the screed concrete layer by controlling the amount of additive and construction compounds, to get the desired final properties in the concrete mix.
Hardening time
Screed concrete’s curing time also varies, depending mainly on the type of screed being used, and certain environmental factors. On one hand, conventional concrete can take weeks to harden, while screed concrete with special additives can cure completely within a few hours at the most.
Advantages of Screed Concrete
As you can see, concrete with screed has a wide range of uses. Let’s find out some of the major advantages of using screed concrete in construction –
Versatile uses
Screed concrete can be easily modified to fulfill various needs of a construction project. For instance, some screed concrete can be used to achieve incredibly smooth and level surfaces, while others can be used to improve the aesthetics, and even enhance thermal insulation for under-floor heating systems.
Better flooring
The screed concrete offers a firm, stable base for various types of flooring materials. This property ensures additional durability and longer life to tiles, wooden flooring, and other types of flooring materials.
Improved aesthetics
Certain decorative screed concrete mixes also offer an excellent polished base, which work even better than some conventional flooring materials.
This way, screed concrete can improve the aesthetics of a building’s floor without the expense of buying high-end flooring materials.
Energy efficiency
Using screed concrete to cover floors and surfaces where under-floor heating systems are installed helps to distribute the heat evenly across the room. This makes the heating system more energy efficient than other substrates.
Stronger durability
When installed correctly, screed concrete surfaces can effectively bear significant physical stress from regular use of the floor.
It acts as a high-quality bonding agents, which makes screed concrete truly advantageous for use as flooring substrate in heavy-traffic areas of residential and commercial buildings alike.
Cost-efficient solution
Additionally, screed concrete is less expensive than other options to enhance the inherent properties of concrete mixes. This makes it a remarkably cost-efficient solution than conventional substrates and base materials.
Eco-friendly option
Apart from being incredibly cost-efficient, screed concrete is also an excellent eco-friendly option that meets the stringent global construction regulations. As it is made from mainly sustainable materials, it contributes towards green construction practices and fulfills various construction requirements too.
Conclusion
Screed concrete is one of the most useful and advantageous construction materials for the construction industry. It is an incredibly versatile compound that acts as an excellent bonding agent, and fulfills various construction needs in a cost-efficient way.
It helps to not only improve the performance of floors and bases, but is also exceptionally energy-efficient, durable, eco-friendly and enhances the aesthetics of buildings at the same time.
For the best results, it is highly recommended to buy only the best-quality screed concrete and bonding agent from renowned brands, like Sakshi Chem Sciences Pvt. Ltd.
FAQS
Where is screed concrete used?
Screed concrete is used in a large variety of construction projects, such as homes, commercial spacers, industrial buildings, airports, schools, hospitals and rooftop terraces.
Is screed concrete better than cement?
Though conventional cement is stronger and more durable, screed concrete has its own advantages and uses. It can help achieve specific projects requirements that are harder to fulfill using conventional cement.
Why is it called screed?
The screed concrete derives its name as it provides a smooth and level surface, which is achieved by using a special technique called ‘screeding’.
Is cement screed expensive?
The average cost of screed concrete depends on the type of screed being used, thickness of the concrete layer, and the area it needs to cover. Typically, concrete screed is more affordable than other choices of flooring materials.