FAST DRYING SCREED
Fast Drying Screed Contractors in London & the South East
O. C. Floor Screeding installs fast drying screed on domestic and commercial projects across London and the South East. With over 30 years' experience, we help clients cut drying times and keep their build programme on track.
Fast drying screed, also known as quick drying or rapid drying screed, can take foot traffic earlier, lets floor finishes go down sooner and allows underfloor heating to be commissioned quickly. A standard screed dries at about 1mm a day, so a typical depth takes around 4 to 6 weeks before floor finishes can be laid. Rapid drying screeds can cut that to days or even hours.
It is especially worth considering if you are laying wooden or engineered flooring, as these are the most sensitive to moisture damage. We mix every screed on site in our own screed pumps, which is essential to make sure fast drying additives are thoroughly mixed.
WHAT IS FAST DRYING SCREED?
Fast drying screed normally uses a specialist liquid hydraulic binder added to the screed mix, or a pre-bagged cement replacer. Different strengths and types of additive give different drying times, and they also produce a stronger screed with higher compressive strength. Only semi-dry screeds can be made fast drying. It suits most floor situations, including over insulation and with underfloor heating, and can receive all types of floor finish. As the mix has a working time of around 60 minutes, it must be mixed in a screed pump and batched in stages.
Call us today for advice about your project and a free quotation.
Why Choose Fast Drying Screed?
Benefits of Fast Drying Screed
- Shorter drying times and earlier access for follow-on trades.
- Floor finishes can be installed much sooner than on a sand and cement or liquid screed.
- Ideal where project completion dates are critical.
- Suitable for bonded, unbonded and floating constructions.
- Compatible with underfloor heating systems.
- Available in different strengths and drying rates to suit your needs.
- Lower risk of moisture damage to sensitive floor finishes such as timber and vinyl.
- Allows faster commissioning of underfloor heating systems.
We offer a range of fast drying systems with different strengths and drying rates, so we can recommend the right one for your floor finish and programme.
FAQs
How quickly can fast drying screed take foot traffic?
Most systems can take light foot traffic much sooner than traditional screed, normally within a couple of hours to 24 hours, depending on the product, site conditions and ambient temperature.
When should quick drying screed be used?
Fast drying screed is particularly useful where floor finishes need to be installed quickly or where programme times are tight.
Is fast drying screed suitable for underfloor heating?
Yes, the two go hand in hand. Fast drying screed can be used with underfloor heating and allows the heating system to be commissioned sooner than with traditional screeds.
Can all screeds be made rapid drying?
No. Fast drying additives and specialist binders are generally only used in traditional semi-dry (sand and cement) screeds. Liquid screeds cannot be accelerated in the same way.
Is fast drying screed stronger than other screeds?
Fast drying screed is one of the stronger screed systems, stronger than latex, liquid and traditional screed. Its higher strength makes it suitable for a wide range of domestic and commercial applications.
Does quick drying screed reduce overall build times?
Yes. Earlier installation of floor finishes and quicker access for follow-on trades can significantly shorten the overall construction programme.
How soon can floor finishes be laid on rapid drying screed?
Depending on the product used, site conditions and ambient temperature, floor finishes can be laid within 24 hours to two weeks.
NEED A FAST DRYING SCREED QUOTE?
Call us today about your domestic or commercial project on 020 7099 6264 and we’ll be happy to help.