Create Flawless Floors with Floor Screed and Self Levelling Screed

Every great space starts with a solid foundation, and when it comes to flooring, nothing sets the stage better than a perfectly level, durable surface. Whether you’re outfitting a high-traffic retail store, a quiet home office, or a rugged industrial plant, uneven floors can lead to cracked coverings, safety risks, or an unpolished look. That’s where Floor Screed steps in, delivering a smooth, robust base that elevates any flooring project. In this in-depth guide, we’ll dive into the advantages of floor screeds, their versatile applications, and why Polycote’s innovative solutions, crafted over 25 years, are trusted worldwide. From rapid installations to long-lasting performance, Polycote’s screeds are your key to flawless floors.

What Makes Floor Screed Essential?

Floor screed is a cementitious blend applied over a concrete subfloor to create a level, smooth surface, serving as the perfect underlayment for tiles, carpets, or resin coatings. Its advanced counterpart, designed for precision, flows naturally to fill imperfections, requiring minimal effort to achieve a polished finish. These screeds are vital for ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic appeal across diverse environments.

For a range of high-performance options tailored to your needs, explore Polycote’s Self Levelling Screed.

Top Benefits of Floor Screed and Self Levelling Screed

Investing in quality screeds transforms your flooring project, offering practical and visual advantages. Here’s why these solutions are a game-changer:

Precision Levelling for Seamless Results

Bumpy or uneven floors can disrupt everything from foot traffic to equipment stability. Polycote’s Easi-Screed Standard glides over surfaces, erasing dips and ridges to deliver a mirror-smooth finish. This creates a safe, professional base for any floor covering, from luxury vinyl to heavy-duty epoxy. In massive projects, Easi-Screed Industrial can blanket up to 2000m² in a day, ensuring a pristine, level surface for factories or showrooms.

To unlock a perfectly level foundation, discover Polycote’s Floor Screed collection.

Built to Endure Heavy Use

Floor screeds are engineered for resilience. Polycote’s Easi-Screed Industrial, with a formidable 40N/mm² compressive strength, thrives in demanding settings like logistics hubs or manufacturing plants, handling forklifts and constant footfall with ease. Its quick-curing design allows heavy traffic in just 24 hours, keeping projects on schedule. For residential or lighter commercial spaces, Easi-Screed Flexible delivers a sturdy 34N/mm², perfect for busy households or small offices.

Perfect for Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating systems demand a screed that can flex with temperature changes without cracking. Polycote’s Easi-Screed Flexible, fortified with fibres and free of proteins, is tailored for this purpose. Applicable from 2mm to 50mm thick, it ensures a strong, adaptable layer for homes, schools, or offices, maintaining performance under thermal stress.

Cost-Effective and Time-Saving

Tearing out and replacing a concrete slab is a budget-busting ordeal. Floor screed offers a smarter solution, leveling worn or uneven surfaces without extensive demolition. Polycote’s screeds are designed for easy mixing and application, even for non-specialists. With curing times as short as 2-3 hours for foot traffic, they’re ideal for fast-paced projects, slashing both costs and downtime.

Indoor and Outdoor Versatility

Polycote’s screeds excel in diverse conditions. Easi-Screed External is crafted to withstand harsh weather, from scorching summers to icy winters, making it ideal for outdoor spaces like courtyards or parking areas. Its resistance to expansion and contraction ensures a crack-free, durable finish, even in unpredictable climates.

Exploring Polycote’s Floor Screed Lineup

Polycote’s screed portfolio is designed to meet the unique demands of any project. Here’s a breakdown of their standout products:

Easi-Screed Industrial

Tailored for rugged industrial environments, Easi-Screed Industrial is a cement-based screed applied at a minimum 6mm thickness. It smooths rough or worn concrete in warehouses, dairies, or factories, boasting a 40N/mm² strength and a 24-hour cure time for heavy traffic, ensuring minimal disruption.

Easi-Screed Flexible

This fibre-reinforced screed is perfect for floors with movement, vibration, or underfloor heating. Applicable from 2mm to 50mm, it cures to 34N/mm² and allows light foot traffic in 2-3 hours. It’s ideal for homes or light industrial spaces and can be sealed with epoxy like Flortex SG for added protection.

Easi-Screed Standard

Formulated for commercial, light industrial, or heavy domestic use, Easi-Screed Standard is applied from 2mm to 20mm thick. It cures in 3-4 hours for foot traffic and 12-24 hours for coverings, with non-toxic properties that make it safe for offices, shops, or homes.

Easi-Screed External

Designed for outdoor durability, Easi-Screed External resists weathering, covering 1.85m² per 20kg unit at 6mm thickness. It’s perfect for external concrete surfaces like walkways or terraces, delivering a slip-resistant, long-lasting finish.

Polyurethane and Epoxy Screeds

For specialized needs, such as chemical resistance in food processing or healthcare facilities, Polycote offers polyurethane screeds (6-9mm) and epoxy screeds like Flortex Freeflow (2-3mm). These create seamless, hygienic surfaces that withstand rigorous conditions.

How to Apply Floor Screed Like a Pro

A flawless screed application requires careful preparation and technique. Follow these steps for a professional result:

Step 1: Prepare the Surface

A clean, stable base is essential. Remove dust, grease, or loose debris, and use shot-blasting or scrabbling to eliminate laitance. Ensure the surface is cured, firm, and meets BS8203 1987 dryness standards (relative humidity <75%). For underfloor heating, deactivate it 48 hours prior. Apply the appropriate primer, such as Easi-Screed Primer for concrete or WD Primer for non-porous surfaces.

Step 2: Mix the Screed

Pour the recommended water amount (e.g., 4.5L for Easi-Screed Industrial, 5.5-6.25L for Easi-Screed Flexible) into a bucket. Gradually add the screed powder, mixing with a slow-speed drill and paddle for one minute until smooth and lump-free. Let it rest for 2 minutes, then stir again. Avoid overwatering to preserve strength.

Step 3: Apply with Precision

Start at the furthest corner, pouring the screed to the desired thickness. Use depth-adjustable floats or a pinned leveller to spread it evenly, then apply a spiked roller immediately to remove air bubbles. Lay each batch within 20 minutes of the previous one to ensure a seamless finish. For pump applications, verify a 135mm ± 10mm flow diameter.

Step 4: Cure and Maintain

Allow curing per product guidelines (e.g., 2-3 hours for Easi-Screed Flexible foot traffic). Shield the surface from water or heavy traffic during curing. For underfloor heating, wait 48 hours before gradually raising the temperature by 5°C daily. Regular cleaning and inspections ensure lasting performance.

Choosing the Perfect Floor Screed

Finding the right screed depends on your project’s specifics. Consider these factors:

Setting: Use Easi-Screed Industrial for indoor heavy-duty floors or Easi-Screed External for outdoor areas.
Thickness: Opt for Easi-Screed Flexible for 2-50mm layers or Easi-Screed Standard for 2-20mm applications.
Traffic: Choose Easi-Screed Industrial for vehicular loads or Easi-Screed Standard for pedestrian areas.
Special Needs: Select Easi-Screed Flexible for underfloor heating or polyurethane screeds for chemical resistance.
Budget: Polycote’s screeds are cost-effective, requiring no specialized labor, fitting various price points.

Pitfalls to Avoid During Application

To achieve a top-notch screed finish, steer clear of these common mistakes:

Skipping Prep: Poor cleaning or priming can lead to weak adhesion or screed failure.
Too Much Water: Excess water reduces strength and increases cracking risk.
Delayed Rolling: Not using a spiked roller promptly can trap air bubbles or leave marks.
Overlooking Joints: Ignoring expansion joints can cause cracks. Use Polycote Jointex for flexibility.
Applying in Wet Conditions: Single-part screeds need dry surfaces and proper priming to perform.

Why Polycote’s Screeds Stand Out

Polycote’s screeds are globally renowned for their quality and innovation, backed by over two decades of expertise. From Easi-Screed Industrial to Easi-Screed External, their products prioritize speed, durability, and ease of use. Polycote also supplies professional tools like spiked rollers and squeegees, ensuring a perfect application. Their dedicated support team offers expert advice, making every project a success.

The Long-Term Value of Floor Screed

Choosing high-quality screeding solutions guarantees a strong, level foundation that enhances your floors’ durability and appeal. Polycote’s diverse range meets the needs of industrial, commercial, and residential projects, delivering tailored performance for every scenario. Whether you’re preparing a retail space for polished tiles or a factory for heavy machinery, these screeds ensure lasting results.

Ready to build a flawless floor? Explore Polycote’s screed solutions today and find the ideal product for your project. With careful preparation and application, your floors will shine with strength and style for years to come.