Dry Screed vs. Liquid Screed: Which to Choose?

Before laying any flooring, it is vital that screed is laid. This is because it creates a level surface, supports final flooring and improves durability and load-bearing. There are two forms of screed, liquid and dry, so which do you choose for your project?

While they predominantly do the same thing, there are a few key differences between the two.

At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we provide quality liquid and dry screed across the South. We have worked on a range of projects across a variety of industries over our years in the industry. These have given us a wealth of knowledge and experience that has only further built on what we already knew - after all there is no better way to learn than doing!

Now, we are the go-to experts on anything screed. In this blog, we compare liquid screed vs dry screed, explaining their uses and how you should choose which one to use for your project.

Dry Screed

Dry screed, also known as traditional screed, is the most popular type of screed. As it forms a paste, it has particular benefits, making it fit for purpose in certain situations where liquid screed wouldn't work.

What Is It?

Dry screed is a mixture of sand, cement and water (not to get this confused with the mixture for concrete, which uses aggregates in place of the sand).

It is used on top of floor sub-bases and under the final flooring to smooth and level out the surface.

As the mixture is a dry compound, installing screed can often require a fair amount of manual labour, with people pouring and levelling it by hand using a float and trowel.

How It Works

The mixture uses a ratio of 3-5 parts sand and 1 part cement, which creates a paste.

Dry screed will usually be applied in a thick layer of between 25-50mm. The labourer will place an initial layer down using shovels and trowels. From there, they will use a straightedge to level the surface, dragging the tool across the flooring layer.

They will then start compacting the surface, using a tamper or hand float, to make sure the material is tightly packed. This improves the strength of this layer, helping load-bearing.

A final levelling step may be taken to ensure the surface is smooth and level before the final flooring is added.

Common Uses

The use of traditional screed still accounts for many projects across the UK.

Both commercial and residential constructions use it in smaller areas, where the manual labour needed won't be too much.

Because dry screed isn't self-levelling and doesn't run on its own, dry screed will be used where uneven flooring is intentional, for example, in a wet room where a slope is needed for water to drain.

Liquid Screed

Liquid screed, also known as flowing or self-levelling screed, is gaining popularity in construction, especially where large surface areas need to be covered.

What Is It?

It is made from a similar mix of materials as dry screed, using smaller aggregates and cement, but also has water added to it to create a liquid state.

Thanks to this liquid state, it flows easily, meaning it self-levels and creates a smooth surface without too much handiwork.

How It Works

Liquid screed is far easier to install compared to dry screed because it works by itself.

Typically, a pump will be used to pour the liquid screed directly into position. The liquid screed spreads across the surface without much intervention, levelling out as it goes.

Common Uses

Liquid screed is used across residential and commercial construction projects.

Because it is easy to lay, it will often be chosen for large surface areas, such as warehouse floors.

Additionally, it is a great flooring leveller when underfloor heating is being installed because it conducts and retains heat efficiently, improving the overall efficiency of the system.

Key Differences Between Dry Screed and Liquid Screed

Having read the above sections, you probably have some idea of the key differences between the two types of screed. But just to keep things clear, here they are on a list.

• Installation process - dry screed has a longer process that is very manual, while liquid screed can be pumped, making it quicker and less labour intensive.
• Drying times - liquid screed is often placed as a thinner layer and, therefore, has a faster drying time when compared to traditional screed.
• Thickness and load-bearing capacity - dry screed generally needs a thicker layer installed to meet the same load-bearing requirements as a liquid screed.
• Compatibility with underfloor heating - while both screeds can be used with underfloor heating, liquid screed is often preferred because it flows around pipes. Dry screed will likely need more handling around any pipework.
• Cost considerations - liquid screed is likely to be more cost-effective, especially in large projects, as it requires less manual labour.

Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between dry screed and liquid screed is mostly dependent on your project.

Small surface areas will suit dry screed, whereas the larger the surface area, the more suited liquid screed will be. This means dry screed is more often used in residential projects, and liquid screed is used in larger commercial projects.

The other consideration to be made is the levelling of the floor. If the space requires a slope, maybe in a wet room or as a transition from one floor to another, then dry screed will need to be used.

Finally, if you are installing underfloor heating, liquid screed will be easier to use and work around the underfloor heating system.

Use 2 Brothers For Your Screed Needs

Liquid and dry screed effectively do the same thing of levelling off a surface ready for the final flooring to be laid.

The biggest difference in their installation process means that each one is more suitable to a set situation; dry screed is used for smaller projects while liquid screed is used for larger projects.

At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we offer both liquid and dry screed services across the South.

Our team are experts when it comes to choosing which option should be used in the installation process.

If you have a project and are unsure which screed you should be using, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We will get to know your project and the space you are working in, sometimes even completing a site survey for more accurate understanding.

With knowledge of your project, we will be able to discuss the pros and cons of each option, providing advice and up-to-date knowledge on the materials and any regulations that will need to be met.

No matter which screed you need, we will handle everything from sourcing materials for the mixtures to mixing and installing.

When providing dry screed, we will do all the manual labour for you, including levelling the surface.

If providing liquid screed, we will use one of our concrete pumps to pour the screed into place easily and efficiently. Once the liquid is in place, we will complete levelling to ensure the surface is smooth and level, ready for you to continue laying the flooring.

Call us today on 01489 552737 or complete our online enquiry form to discuss your project and order your screed.