Choosing screed for underfloor heating
London & South East Domestic & Commercial Suitable for Wet & Electric UFH Laser Levelled Experienced Screeding Contractor
BEST Screed for Underfloor Heating (UFH) | london & south east
Choosing the correct screed is essential to get the best performance from your underfloor heating system. At O. C. Floor Screeding we install a range of screed systems from traditional sand and cement screed, fibre reinforced, fast drying and liquids screeds, allowing us to recommend the most suitable systems for your project.
Heated floors is now the popular choice to use in domestic and commercial premises as it maximizes the dispersion of heat and creates a streamline finish. We would like to give you some tips on choosing screed for your underfloor heating (UFH), whether a water (wet) or electric based system.
Need Screeding for Underfloor Heating on 020 7099 6264 or Request a Free Quote.
WHICH SCREED DO WE RECOMMEND?
Our preferred choice for most domestic projects due to improved crack resistance and strength.
Ideal where flooring needs to be laid quickly or moisture-sensitive finishes are being installed.
Reliable and cost-effective option. Ideal for tiled floors, domestic extensions and most underfloor heating systems.
Suitable for large open-plan areas where speed of installation is important.
We Cover All Sized Areas for Both Domestic and Commercial Projects
Insulation should be laid beneath the UFH system to ensure that the heat always rises upwards and is not absorbed into the underlining base. Wall abutments will prevent the heat bridging into the perimeter walls.
Semi dry screed such as traditional, reinforced or fast drying is the ideal choice for underfloor heating. Manufacturers and suppliers generally recommend a depth of 60mm to use with their systems, which is the standard depth for traditional screed. This depth works well with the flow of heat from the floor heating system as it retains the heat for longer compared to thinner depths, making it more energy efficient.
Sand and cement screed are more economical especially on smaller sites then self-levelling screeds, which were created to cover vast areas. Anhydrite, (also known as liquid, poured, flow or self-levelling) was created specifically to cover industrial spaces at speed and 2000 square metres a day can be poured. It is generally only on larger sites that anhydrite is more cost effective in comparison to traditional screed.
Screeding should take place as soon as possible after an heating pipes zone is laid and pressure tested. Care must be taken to protect the pipe work whilst working. The best practice is to use a screed pump as the machine delivers the mixture via hoses, ensuring that the pipe work is not damaged. The mixture must be well compacted around the pipes to make certain that there are no voids or hollows.
Utilising a laser level ensures that the floor is always level.
The floor should be allowed to cure and dry naturally until full strength is reached as per British Standards and manufacturer's instructions. The full drying time of the floor will depend on the depth and products used.
Fast drying screeds will allow for the early laying of floor finishes, early foot trafficking and let the heating system be used earlier.
Ceramic tiles bond well with semi dry screed.
BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL UNDERFLOOR HEATING SCREEDING
- Laser levelled floors
- Even heat distribution.
- Suitable for wet and electric UFH.
- Reduced risk of voids around heating pipes.
- Traditional, fibre and fast drying options available.
- Domestic and commercial installations.
FAQs
Can traditional screed be used with underfloor heating?
Yes, traditional screed performs extremely well and remains one of the most commonly used systems for underfloor heating.
Is fibre screed better than standard screed for underfloor heating?
Fibre reinforcement helps reduce shrinkage and provides additional crack resistance, making it our preferred choice for most domestic installations. We use it as a standard in all our screed mixes.
Can I use fast drying screed with underfloor heating?
Yes, fast drying screeds are ideal where early commissioning and earlier floor finishes are required. It can be crucial to use if laying a resin, micro cement, wooden or laminate floor finish due to there moisture sensitivity nature.
Which screed is better to use with underfloor heating?
We recommend different screeds depending on your project:
Need to lay flooring quickly? Choose Fast Drying Screed.
Need a thinner build-up? Polymer Screed or Liquid Screed may be suitable
Laying tiles? Traditional or Fibre Reinforced Screed are excellent choices
The floor construction, finish and programme time all influence the best solution.
Does the type of screed affect the underfloor heat transfer?
If the screed is thinner, then the heat from the floor heating systems will transfer through more quickly than a thicker screed. However, the timings will only be approx 10-20mins difference. Please also bear in mind that the use of insulation will ensure that the heat always flows upwards and into the room and is never lost. Please read our article on how to prepare your floor for underfloor heating and screed here.
Can you lay screed over electric underfloor heating?
Yes, screed can be laid over wet or electric underfloor heating systems. If you have any questions please feel to speak to us about your project and the floor build up.
How much does screed for wet or electric underfloor heating cost?
The price of screed is calculated by factoring in the cost of materials, labour and other factors. Please read our article on The Cost of Screed here.
NOT SURE WHICH SCREED IS RIGHT FOR YOUR PROJECT?
We'll recommend the best screed based on:
Floor finish, Drying times, Underfloor Heating System, Budget
Call us today on 020 7099 6264 for free advice