Floor Screed

Do you need a smoothing compound on top of the Screed before the floor coverings go down? My name is Andy Parkin, Managing Director of the Multi-Award-Winning Speed Screed. The simple answer is generally no. So, if you are laying ceramics, engineered woods, carpets, etc. then, the answer would be no. The finish would be perfectly adequate for all those systems. Thin floor coverings The only time when a smoothing compound generally would be recommended would be if you are laying thin vinyl, any thin floor coverings such as Antico, etc. The manufacturers always recommend that there is a smoothing compound and literally, the smoothing compound is just something that’s going to be a 3mm covering and literally, does what it says, it just smooths out any slight blemishes. You look at the Screed and think, yes you can put the vinyl directly down, however literally, the light will catch the vinyl and you can just see slight imperfections there. So, it is recommended...

Gyvlon Eco FD 👷🏿 The fast-drying liquid screed 🏠 Gyvlon Eco FD –  Can’t wait to get your floor coverings laid? I’m Andy Parkin, Managing Director of the Multi-Award-Winning Speed Screed. Today I’m here to give you a little more insight into Gyvlon FD. So What is Gyvlon Eco FD? Gyvlon Eco FD screed enables floor coverings to be applied at least twice as fast as standard Gyvlon Eco screed. In addition, it brings together all the proven benefits expected from a Gyvlon screed which also include a low-skin option. Just What are the benefits of Gyvlon FD? • Very high fluidity – for fast installation. • Low shrinkage – significantly reduced cracking, no curling • Less need for joints • No reinforcement • No curing membrane • Minimum SR2 surface finish Specifications • Mechanical Strength C25 • Unbonded Minimum Thickness 30mm • Floating Minimum Thickness 35mm (domestic), 40mm Commercial. • Requires no reinforcement • Joints 800m2 (300m2 with underfloor heating) Applications Productivity an...

I’m Andy Parkin, Managing Director of the Multi-Award Winning Speed Screed. Today I’m here to give you a little more insight into the Datum Level; the Datum Level is a crucial part of any construction project. Let’s get started. What is a Datum Level? A Datum Level is an arbitrary horizontal plane on a construction project used as a reference point for all other vertical dimensions to be measured. It is used to highlight differentials between vertical heights of floor levels along with differing levels of two separate points on the site. It is often the case that the Datum Level is given a 0.000m designation (though this doesn’t have to be the ground level outside; the ground floor could be 0.650m with a first floor at 4.650m for example. A basement would be below the Datum Level so would be shown as a minus number, -2.950m for example. It is not uncommon, however, for the minus sign to be missed or misrepresented (as a dash for example) so often a temporary benchmark...

Damp Proof Membrane – protection from damp in domestic and commercial construction Hi, my name is Andy Parkin. I am the Managing Director of the Multi-Award Winning Speed Screed. Today I am here to tell you about damp proof membranes. Damp-proof membrane (often called DPM) is used in construction to prevent moisture from entering the building, usually through capillary action. You will often see these membranes installed as part of damp coursing on external walls, but they are also vital in ensuring that moisture cannot enter a building via the floor. Damp causes several issues when it is found in buildings, these can include visible damp patches, areas of mould (which can cause breathing issues and allergies), damage to décor, and, importantly, it can undermine the structure of the building. With this in mind, making sure you look at the types and uses of different damp proof membranes takes on new importance. Why bother With A  Damp Proof Membrane? Most of t...

D49 Mesh: Minimise Cracking and Shrinking I am Andy Parkin Managing Director of the Multi-Award Winning Speed Screed and I am here today to help you minimise the problem of shrinkage cracking using D49 mesh. Cracking of floor screed is often associated with curling or shrinking as well, and using a reinforcement such as D49 Mesh can help. Keep in mind that the goal of this article is to help you guide in the right direction. There are a lot of factors that can cause a screed to crack, so always consult with a professional before proceeding. Reinforcement According to the British Standard BS 8204-1:2003, reinforcement is used to reduce the severity of the cracks. It’s often used with unbonded or floating screed to control the shrinkage and cracks. D49 Mesh complies with all the standards, and it will help minimise those shrinkage cracks How Does D49 Mesh Work? Reinforcement mesh such as D49 Mesh is put inside cementitious screed to reduce stress on the screed...

All about Python LR I’m Andy Parkin, Managing Director of the Multi-Award-Winning Speed Screed. Today I’m here to give you a little more insight into Python LR. What is Python LR? Python FL is an ultra-swift setting and drying, flexible self-levelling floor compound. It has been uniquely formulated using advanced binder technology and selected additives for a fast-track solution. Python LR has exceptional flow and adhesion properties, making it sufficient for commercial and domestic applications. It is suitable for use over a broad range of substrates along with sand/cement screeds, concrete, flooring grade asphalt/bitumen, ceramic, porcelain and terrazzo tiles, epoxy damp proof membranes and plywood. The uses of Python LR Python LR is also excellent for encapsulating electric underfloor heating elements and for usage over underfloor heated screeds. Python LR is quick setting, meaning ceramic tiles can be equipped after as little as 3 hours, and fancy floor coverings can be installed ...

The Concrete Screed Minimum Thickness? I’m Andy Parkin, Managing Director of the Multi-Award Winning Speed Screed. We are often asked about, what is the concrete screed minimum thickness? Often people are having issues with thresholds and the heights of ceilings (not having a lot of floor make-up), and they want to know what is the minimum. Laying the screed too thin may result in failure, leading to the possible replacement of the screed. Concrete Screed Minimum Thickness – Construction Types A traditional screed as defined by the British Standard for screed, can go down to 40mm bonded. Bonded That would be 40mm onto a concrete substrate. Unbonded If laying on top of a membrane, that would be classified as unbonded, and the minimum would be 50mm. Floating Laying onto the insulation, so that would be classed as floating construction, domestically the British Standard recommends 65mm minimum and 75mm commercially. Specialist Concrete Screed Minimum Thickn...

Concrete floor screed – is it the one for your project? I’m Andy Parkin, Managing Director of the Multi-Award Winning Speed Screed. I’m here to talk about  Concrete Floor Screed? Everyone knows what concrete is, but how many people understand the difference between screed and concrete?  Although many people think they’re the same, they do have some differences.  Both concrete and screed are used widely in the construction industry but outside of that people really don’t know much about them. Concrete floor screed – it’s all in the mix If you look at the ingredients used to make concrete and screed they are pretty much the same: Cement Water Aggregates This similarity means that most homeowners don’t really understand the difference, however, it is important to be aware of what these are because each is more suited to a set of particular tasks. Telling the difference between concrete and screed can be done in a few different ways by looking at: Use case Composition Physical appearance ...

Screeders – Choosing the best for your project My name is Andy Parkin, Managing Director of the Multi-Award Winning Speed Screed. I'd like to take some time to tell you about the great reasons why Speed Screed provides the very best screeders to the construction industry. Choosing Screeders can be a challenge With all the focus on getting the screed mix right, it is easy to forget that to get the most from your screed you will need to hire the very best screeders. In fact, no matter how good your screed if it is installed incorrectly your floor with not stand the test of time. To help you look at why Speed Screed is one of the best screeding services in the UK today, I've put together some of the reasons why we consistently win awards and customer recommendations. High standards All our work meets the British Standard BS 8204-1:2003 for screed. In fact, in many cases, it exceeds this standard. Take a look at our great customer reviews and you will see that...

What is Cemfloor Screed? Cemfloor Screed is a cement-based flowing screed. Cemfloor Screed is effectively a mixture of cement, sand, superplasticizer, Cemfloor binder, and water. Cemfloor Screed is the result of the partnership between McGraths Limestone and Cemexa Technologies. The sole distributor of the product across the UK is McGraths Limestone. It’s a great additive for screed and it helps the screed to stay clean, avoid shrinkage, improve flowability, and achieve an overall amazing finishing. The Types There are three main types of Cemfloor Screed that you can get your hands on. All three of them have some unique characteristics and they cater to different needs when it comes to flooring. Cemfloor Therm Designed specifically for use with underfloor heating systems, Cemfloor Therm encapsulates the underfloor heating pipework and leaves no voids.  Combined with the screeds density the product ensures the best thermal conductivity around. Cemfloor ...

Cemex Supaflo - Flowing Screed Choice I’m Andy Parkin, Managing Director of the Multi-Award Winning Speed Screed, and I’m here to talk about CEMEX Supaflo GENERAL OVERVIEW CEMEX Supaflo is a calcium sulphate based flowing screed. APPLICATIONS Perfect for: Residential/Commercial/Retail/Healthcare buildings Schools Floating, bonded and un-bonded construction Incorporation of electric or wet underfloor heating systems Timber, concrete and steel frame Supaflo is not suitable for: Permanently wet areas, such as commercial changing rooms/swimming pool surrounds Areas that require falls MIXING/SUPPLY CEMEX Supaflo is supplied directly from the screed manufacturer.  Supplied in ready-mixed truck mixers.  4/6/8/10 wheelers. The screed is then discharged into a specialist screed pump and then pumped into place. DRYING TIMES Approximately 1mm per day, up to 40mm. Beyond 40mm, 0.5mm per day. This is based on 20 degrees and 60 relative humidity After 7 days the screed can be forced dried to speed ...