Traditional screed
Sand & cement screed: cost-effective, durable, proven.
Traditional screed is a semi-dry sand-and-cement mix, laid by hand and finished with a trowel to a smooth, level surface. It is the tried-and-tested workhorse of British floors: cost-effective, hard-wearing and suitable for almost any project where outright pour speed is not the deciding factor.
Four decades of laying it means we get a flat, well-compacted bay first time. The difference between a screed that lasts and one that hollows or cracks is all in the mix, the compaction and the curing — and that is craft, not luck.
How it works
We lay the screed to level or to falls over the prepared base — bonded to the slab, unbonded over a membrane, or floating over insulation depending on your build-up. The mix is compacted and ruled off to datum, then trowelled to the finish your floor covering needs. Bay sizes and joints are set out to control shrinkage.
Drying and foot traffic
Traditional screed dries more slowly than liquid screed — a common guide is one day per millimetre for the first 50mm, longer for thicker sections, in good drying conditions. It typically takes protected light foot traffic after 24–48 hours. We set out a realistic timeline and protect the floor while it cures.
Why choose it
- Cost-effective — often the most economical screed for the job
- Durable and robust — copes with heavy domestic and commercial use
- Versatile — bonded, unbonded or floating to suit your build-up
- Can be laid to falls — ideal for wet rooms and drainage
- Proven over decades on every kind of floor
Where it suits
Common questions
How thick does traditional screed need to be?
It depends on the build-up: bonded to the slab can be as little as 25–40mm, unbonded over a membrane needs around 50mm, and floating over insulation is typically 65–75mm. We confirm the right depth for your floor and its loadings.
Can I have underfloor heating in traditional screed?
Yes — UFH pipes can be set in traditional screed, though liquid screed conducts heat more efficiently and can be laid thinner over the pipes. We will talk you through the trade-offs for your project.
How long before it is fully dry?
As a rule of thumb, around one day per millimetre for the first 50mm in good conditions — so a 50mm screed is often roughly 6–8 weeks before floor coverings, longer if thicker or if drying is poor. We measure moisture rather than guess.
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