SELECTING THE RIGHT SCREED FOR YOUR PROJECT

When specifying build projects, architects and contractors look for materials and products that are not only economical but also the most effective in terms of application and long term performance. Specifying materials and products that save time on site reduces labour and sub-contractor costs for the project. Using high performance materials ensures longevity and durability which are important to the end client. Balancing these considerations is a priority for architects and contractors when specifying products for a build. In selecting the right floor screed for your project, architects and contractors can choose between ‘traditional’ sand and cement screed or the increasingly popular liquid floor screed. Clockwork Screed is a family-run business with expertise in the supply and installation of cementitious liquid floor screeds. We provide guidance to architects and contractors to help them select the right floor screed for their projects. Let’s look at the difference between traditional sand and cement floor screed and cementitious liquid screed. TRADITIONAL SAND AND CEMENT FLOOR SCREED V CEMENTITIOUS LIQUID SCREED SAND AND CEMENT FLOOR SCREED Traditional sand and cement floor screed has historically been the screed of choice for architects and contractors. Typically, it is mixed on site, laid 75mm thick, and applied manually using a trowel. Sand and cement floor screed is cheap to produce but labour intensive to apply. Sand and cement floor screed is inclined to crack and shrink, and because of the manual application, it is difficult to obtain a level finish. For underfloor heating, sand and cement floor screed can reduce the transfer of heat and overall performance of the system because of the thickness of the screed, the fact that the dry screed can’t envelop underfloor heating pipes and the poor conductivity of the material. LIQUID FLOOR SCREED Cementitious liquid floor screed is quickly and efficiently pumped onto a subfloor, rather than being applied manually. Benefits include · Easier levelling which results in even floors · can be laid very thinly at just 25mm · very strong despite its thin application · applied quickly with the minimum amount of labour. Clockwork Screed liquid floor screed is made with a binder that facilitates easier installation and enhances the performance of the screed. Because Clockwork Screed liquid floor screed is pumped exactly where it is needed using our unique mobile screed factories, we can batch-produce just the amount of floor screed that is required for the project, without waste. This removes the cost of excess material and the labour that would otherwise be required for removing the waste. LIQUID FLOOR SCREED FOR UNDERFLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS Liquid floor screed is self-compacting which makes it the ideal choice for underfloor heating systems. Unlike traditional sand and cement floor screed, liquid floor screed also offers exceptional thermal conductivity. It can be laid just 30mmmm above the pipework which reduces the cost of materials and maximises the performance and responsiveness of the heating system, and enhances the building’s environmental performance. CEMENTITIOUS LIQUID FLOOR SCREED HAS LOW SHRINKAGE RATES Liquid floor screed doesn’t present the shrinkage concerns associated with sand and cement screed. In fact, Clockwork Screed liquid floor screed has an impressive shrinkage rate of under 0.05%. Our screed can be made into large slabs that require fewer expansion joints, and doesn’t produce the layer of dust sometimes associated with liquid screeds. It is also compatible with any cement-based adhesives, including those used in fast-track systems. SPEEDY DRYING MAKES LIQUID FLOOR SCREED THE IDEAL CHOICE FOR CONTRACTORS Cementitious floor screed dries very quickly, with footfall possible within 48 hours, which is highly beneficial for contractors who need to get the next stage of the project underway. Installation is also quick: the Clockwork Screed team can cover 1000m² a day.

For more information on SELECTING THE RIGHT SCREED FOR YOUR PROJECT talk to Clockwork Screed Ltd