London is home to some of the best screeding companies. On time, prepared, and ready to help with dynamic situations, these companies are often your prime choice for your screeding needs. However, not every screeding company is the same.

While some screeding companies may be superior to others, it's your active involvement that will lead you to the best choice. Therefore, it's crucial for you to consider key factors when selecting a screeding company. This article will equip you with seven essential points to guide you in choosing the right screeding company for your needs.

Choosing the right screeding company 

Listed below are the seven top considerations you have to keep in mind when choosing a screeding company.

Experience

Pay close attention to a company’s experience and expertise. Folks who have been in the screeding business for many years will likely give you more insight into which types of screed will suit your needs best. It won’t be about the best-looking or the most expensive. It will be about picking the right one for you.

Reputation

Go online and look into a company’s reputation. Check the Google reviews and learn what people are saying about it. However, if you want more insight, go to Yelp or TrustPilot. Dedicated to professional reviews, these platforms will give you all that you need to know about a screeding company.

Find out about accreditations and certifications

Be mindful of valuable certifications and accreditations. Learn about whether the companies you are looking into are associated with bodies like The Guild of Master Craftsmen. The more accreditations a company has, the more versatile its services are likely to be. Furthermore, it will also tell you the type of screeding such a company handles the best.

Services offered

If you are looking for a standard concrete screed, inquire about the services offered. If liquid screed is your choice, look for answers accordingly.

However, it is not enough to merely place the screed and call it a day. Also, inquire about whether the company provides any maintenance-related services. And don’t forget to inquire about services like underfloor heating integration.

Pricing structure

Also, pay close attention to the pricing structure. Ensure you compare the pricing structure of multiple screeding companies. However, you need to look a bit deeper into the pricing structure.

Don’t just go by who costs less. Dive into the services companies are providing at those higher prices. And also, keep close attention to the services you’re getting at a low price. If the costs are significantly low, stay warned. It means that there are certain hidden costs the company isn’t telling you about.

Consultation and customer service

A good level of customer service is non-negotiable. You don’t need someone who doesn’t provide you with clear answers and steps back from going into detail. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and always be willing to raise concerns if you see something wrong. A calm screeding company means they care enough about you to provide you with the services that you actually want.

Knowledge about local regulations

London has very specific requirements when it comes to screeding other infrastructural matters. Therefore, when talking to the support team of the screeding company, learn how much they know about the local regulations. This ensures that you’re meeting the compliance requirements when getting the screed installed.

Screed Easy - The right company for you

If you’re looking for a company that encompasses all the aforementioned qualities, pick Screed Easy. They are knowledgeable and versatile, have a fair quoting price, and are ready to consult about your screeding needs at any time.

The flooring industry is now ripe with multiple options. However, two types of screeds that have taken center stage are flow screed and latex screed With flow screed, people get access to a self-leveling screed, which is liquid. Latex screed, on the other hand, gives people access to a water-resistant screed with enhanced durability.

Which one is better? Let us dive into defining what flow screed and latex screed are before giving you an answer.

What is a Flow Screed?

As the name suggests, flow screed flows over the surface easily when poured onto a floor substrate. It is often used as a finishing layer over the underfloor heating system.

It is usually made by mixing cement, sand, and water. However, recently, other additives have been mixed to increase its flowability. Some of these additives include synthetic anhydrite binders instead of cement.

Advantages of Flow Screed

Here are some of the advantages of flow screed:

Self-Leveling

Flow screed is made up of self-leveling material. Wait for a bit after pouring it onto a floor substrate, and you’ll get a consistent finish across the entire floor.

Fewer Labor costs

Being a self-leveling screed, flow screed reduces labor costs. It veers away from tradition, letting time be the factor in reaching the right level of smoothness with no labor intervention. As a result, labor costs are reduced.

Thin Application

For those worrying about weight and load, floor screed can be applied as a thin layer without compromising the quality.

Minimal Shrinkage

When the floor screed cures with time, people won’t have to face a lot of shrinkage. Lack of shrinkage leads to fewer cases of cracks appearing on the floor.

High Compressive Strength

Flow screeds are also equipped with high compressive strength after they are cured. It helps them be more durable and able to handle heavy loads. Its average compressive strength is around 28 days > 30 n/mm2.

What is a Latex Screed?

Latex screed is a type of screed with attributes similar to a flow screed. However, latex-based additives are mixed here. The leading ones include Styrene Butadiene Rubber, acrylic latex, natural rubber latex, polyvinyl acetate, and more. The formula for this type of screed varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Advantages of Latex Screed

Some of the advantages of latex screed include:

Flexibility

With latex additives, the screed becomes more flexible, allowing it to sustain heavy loads and stay protected from cracks.

More Adhesion

Latex additives are good adhesives capable of sticking well with substrates such as concrete, wood, or existing flooring.

Water Resistance

Latex screed is water resistant, making it suitable for floors prone to moisture. For this very reason, latex screed is a preferred flooring solution for bathrooms and kitchens.

Enhanced Thermal Solution

Depending on the formula used, latex screed provides better thermal insulation. For that reason, they are often used to cover insulation or underfloor heating pipes.

Smooth Surface

Latex screed offers a smoother and more level surface, so they are preferred in many places where the floor’s look matches its practicality.

Which one is Better - the Latex Screed or the Flow Screed

In terms of attributes, both latex and flow screed are the same. However, if you pick between the two, here are the following things to consider.

Flexibility or Speed

If you want the floor to be durable and flexible but it takes time to cure properly, you can go with the latex screed. Flow screed, on the other hand, cures quickly, which makes installation faster.

Cost Concerns

If you’re concerned about labor costs, you can take a more traditional route and stick with flow screed. The additives used to enhance its properties are less costly.

Adhesion

How critical is adhesion to you? In scenarios where it is crucial, you can pick latex screed due to its adhesion properties. Flow screed, although adhesive as well, has less focus on it.

Water Resistance

Flow screed is behind latex screed regarding water resistance because it has more traditional requirements.

The Verdict

In the end, it is your choice that dictates which type of your screed you want. That will depend on the scenario in which you’re using the screed, which means the place that requires installation. Assess your options with Screed Easy and find the best ones that suit your requirements.

The bustling modern architecture of London requires a strong foundation to persist on. That is where people look for the best screeding solutions. However, the influx of new homes and offices has led to the emergence of many screeding companies in London. Finding the best ones among them is difficult.

Let us help you separate the wheat from the chaff. This guide will take you through the qualities that define the best screeding company in London.

Why finding the right screeding company matters?

With screeding, there are two factors you cannot compromise with – the quality of screeding material used and the cost of installation. The right combination of these two is hard to find – especially when the demand for certain types of screed – such as liquid screed – is so high.

Some companies claim to provide a combination of the two. While they manage to offer a sweet deal, their professional attitude leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. A right screeding company is someone you would want to work with for a long time, and that's why you need to find the right screeding company in London for you.

What are the qualities for a screeding company?

Here are the key qualities a screeding company must have in London.

Respect for the customer

Screeding is a task that takes time to complete. The pursuit of earliness often causes companies to take shortcuts. For example, one might think of cutting down the time for screeding by half by cleverly using only half the screed. That indicates utter disrespect for the customer base.

However, a good screeding company in London focuses on always respecting the customer. If a screeding process takes more time, they are honest about it. And if customers seek quick resolution, they only provide solutions after talking to them.

Respect for customer's time

It can take 24 to 48 hours for a liquid screed to dry. However, there are times when customers do ask for the drying process to start quickly. Honest screeding companies in London can implement multiple ways to do so.

Dehumidifiers are the most common way to accelerate the drying process of liquid screed. Depending on the region's size, multiple dehumidifiers can be used to complete the drying process quickly.

Offering cost effective solutions

Inside the halls of a good screeding company in London, you will find cost-effective solutions to your screeding needs. While liquid screed is the most sought-after, a cost-effective alternative – latex screed – also offers optimal leveling solutions for floor services.

Modern latex compounds are much more flexible than traditional screeds. While their drying times can be higher (it can take up to 48 hours if applied at 2 - 5 mm), they offer a much larger range of workable depths.

Furthermore, they are becoming industry standards and a screeding company in London can provide.

Get the right screed easily with screed easy

The right screeding company will respect you as a customer, providing you with the desired solutions. Depending on the floor site, the company will be timely and offer cost-effective screeding options.

Getting these traits in one company is not easy unless you reach out to Screed Easy. Focused professionals dedicated to screeding, Screed Easy will help you easily meet your screeding needs. Contact them today to get started.

“How does it take for screed to dry?” - is a question many ask from a screeding company. And the answer always varies depending on the type of screed you have applied. However, there are also other factors to take into account.

These factors amount to different types of screed times. One would be how long it would take for you to be able to walk on the floor, and the second would be where the screed is installed.

Drying Times for the liquid screed

Screeding companies list the drying times on the screed package based on the room temperature and humidity. Conventionally, they consider 20-degree Celsius temperature and 60% humidity when listing the drying times.

However, as a general rule of thumb, know that it can take somewhere between 24 to 48 hours for the screed to dry properly.

The initial 1 to 2 days are crucial as your effort should be on limiting any exposure. That means no open doors or windows and no walking. You must leave the screed alone for 1 to two days to turn solid.

That said, some experts do say that you can start walking on it after a day has passed. While true, the “walking” traffic intensity here must also be considered. If only one person is passing over the floor one or two times during that day, that’s well and good. But to get the screed into full walkable condition, you must wait at least three days.

Can you Fasten the Drying Times? Yes, But You Should Not

Many think that leaving the floor for 1 to 2 days is too much since it hundred their daily lives. However, that’s not something they can compromise with. But lack of patience drives people into using rudimentary methods like opening the windows and doors to dry out the floor screed.

Rapid loss of moisture will lead to rapid loss of integrity. The screed needs time to adjust for its particles to affix with each other to provide you with the waterproofing solutions you used them for. If you try to hurry things just because you believe that you are late, it is not right.

So, preventing exposure to sunlight is important for the first 24 to 48 hours. It is because it is the curing period for the screed to settle in. However, once a day has passed, you can open your windows.

What to do after the 48-hour drying-out period is over?

Don’t think your floor is out of the woods yet after you have left the screed untouched for two days. Avoid water from ingressing in the region, and if you have accidentally spilled some liquid, act fast and remove it.

Additional moisture can compromise the integrity of your screed, and the only way out is to act quickly and dry out the area. Humidity and temperature will be the other two factors that you will need to watch out for. If the humidity is high, the drying time may take longer.

How Long to Wait Before Tiling?

You need to ensure the screed has dried to the right level before tiling. If the covering is moisture sensitive, you must wait for the relative humidity to drop below 75%before applying any impermeable floor finishes.

How to Reduce Liquid Screed Drying Times?

While most recommend not forcing the liquid screed to dry out before the right time, there is a controlled drying technique - an underfloor heating system - that will allow you to force dry your screed without losing any integrity.

Install an underfloor heating system and use it after seven days have passed after applying the floor screed.

Commissioning underfloor heating starts by maintaining the water temperature at 25 degrees Celsius for three days and then raising the temp to 55 degrees for four days. It must be done for four weeks before starting the tiling or carpeting procedure.

How to force dry a conventional Screed?

It is also possible to force-dry a conventional screed using a dehumidifier. Turn on the dehumidifier in the screeding area until you achieve the moisture content of 0.5% or 1% - depending on your requirements.

Get Expert Aid For Screeding Solutions

Environmental and health concerns have led people to ask for better screeding solutions. We can help. Just contact Screed Easy and let our experts handle your screeding needs.

Screed is a relatively novel concept. Starting in 1984, screed shortly became not only a way to create an even floor but a resolver of underfloor issues. Whether you want to deal with moisture issues or want to ensure that the underfloor heating spreads out evenly, screed is the perfect addition to your home.

However, providing so many facilities does have its costs - and costs matter. But how does the best screeding company establish screeding charges?

Understanding screed - the cost determinant

Before we go into deciphering the factors a screeding company takes into account, let us first get the basics down. What is a screed?

Simply put, it is a thin layer of a concoction of cement, water, and sand that is applied on the top of the concrete flooring in your house.

Now, there are different types of screed that play a major role in how much you will end up paying when it comes to screeding charges.

Sand and cement screed

This is the traditional screed and has been a trusted companion in most households. Also known as the cement screed, it is semi-dry and easy to work with. For those looking for underfloor heating, sand, and cement screed does the job.

Fast drying screed

Fast-drying screed is suitable for those who don’t want to wait. It is especially prevalent in busy families who want to be done with Screed-related issues quickly. Thankfully, the fast-drying screed gets finished within 12 hours.

Liquid screed or flow screed

While the sand and cement screed is not runny, the liquid screed is - but that is its strength. It spreads out fast and evenly across the floor. Many say it is more than ten times faster than the traditional screed. And it is a better alternative to Sand Cement Screed for those looking to resolve underfloor heating.

Factors that a screeding company considers when determining the screeding costs

There are two categories of factors that have to be taken into account when screeding; the first one is the internal factors, and the second is the external factors:

Internal factors determining screeding sosts

The internal factors that determine screeding costs have to do with the type of screed itself. Here is a list explaining them in detail.

1. Type of Screed - Do you want to go with a traditional screed involving Sand Cement, or do you wish to opt for the faster and more expensive liquid or fast-drying screed?
2. Screed Thickness - Screed thickness varies depending on the purpose for which it will be layered atop the floor. For instance, you may require a thicker screed for waterproofing as compared to underfloor heating. The thicker the screed is, the higher the charges you pay.
3. Drying time - Screeding is an intense job that requires one to make certain compromises. But if you don’t want to, you can opt for faster alternatives - which would increase the fee you pay.

External factors that determine the screeding sosts

The external factors determining screeding charges have to do with the labor, location, and certain overhead charges.

1. Size of the area - If you have a bigger property, which would require you to apply screed to a larger area, you would be required to pay more fees. But the screed costs here are not only determined by the type of screed, but also the time that the labor puts in.
2. Location - Location has a bigger impact on screeding charges. That comes from the living costs of a region. Places like London, for instance, may require you to pay more. However, some screeding companies still maintain the integrity and don’t overcharge, regardless of your location.
3. Moving Furniture - Obviously, the floor must be empty before the screeding process begins. And that involves moving heavy furniture out of the room. If you can’t move the furniture by yourself, the screeder will undertake this responsibility - and charge you appropriately for it.

How much does screeding cost in the UK?

Now that you are privy to the factors driving the screeding costs, here is a look at how much you will pay for floor screeding in the UK.

Screed charges are mostly calculated per meter square. And the other overheads like moving furniture and location come after work.

1. Liquid screeding cost - Liquid Screed is more of an exclusive material, and its price reflects that. On average, a person in the UK would pay £21.5 per meter square for liquid screed.
2. Sand and Cement Screed Costs - If you are looking for a traditional screeding solution, you will pay around £15 per square meter.
3. Fast-drying Screed Cost - Fast-drying screeding costs lie between liquid and traditional. Expect to pay £17 per square meter for it.

Conclusion

The best screeding solutions are those where the screeding company takes time to assess your property before providing you with the right suggestion. The matter of cost comes afterward - which turns out to be affordable for most people.

So, look for the best charges, but also consider the other factors we have listed before you choose the right screeding company.