What Is Dry Screed?
Dry screed is a staple material in the construction industry. Also known as traditional screed, it has been the most popular type of screed used to level out floor surfaces before the final flooring is laid. While construction gurus will know everything they need to about dry screed, newbies to home renovations or construction often ask, "What is dry screed?"
This material is used in residential and commercial construction projects to make sure the surface is level - after all, no one wants an uneven floor!
At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we provide dry screed to residential and commercial projects across the South. With a combined 25 years of experience in the construction industry, we are old hats at explaining what dry screed is. So, in this blog, we give you a rundown of everything you need to know about the material.
What Is Dry Screed Made Up Of?
Dry screed is a combination of aggregate and cement. It is mixed to create a paste that will be used on the floor using a ratio of three to five parts aggregate to one part cement.
Usually, sand is used, but other fine aggregates could be chosen instead. Of course, different aggregates will impact the strength, durability and thermal conductivity of the material.
Other aggregates include:
- Crushed Stone or Gravel
- Lightweight Aggregates
- Crushed Concrete and Recycled Aggregates
What are the Characteristics of Dry Screed?
Dry screed has distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other types of screed, such as liquid screed.
- Minimal Water Content - just enough water to hydrate the cement is used, allowing faster setting and drying time and reducing the risk of excessive shrinkage or cracking.
- High Compressive Strength - typically, dry screed has a higher compressive strength compared to other screeds, making it more suitable for high-traffic and heavy load-bearing areas.
- Manual Installation - dry screed is manually installed, meaning you have more control over the thickness and finish.
- Limited Shrinkage - the minimal water content prevents major shrinkage, which reduces the chances of cracking as it cures. This is particularly important in large areas.
- Fast Drying Time - this type of screed sets faster than other screeds, so it is ideal for projects with tight deadlines or schedules.
- Increased Thickness - a thicker layer of dry screed is usually used, providing structural stability and making it suitable for heavy load areas.
- Good Acoustic and Thermal Insulation - can provide acoustic and thermal insulation (especially when combined with other insulating materials), providing energy efficiency.
- Suitable for Underfloor Heating - dry screed acts as a thermal conductor, efficiently transferring heat from underfloor heating systems through the final flooring.
- Surface Finish and Bonding - the final finish of dry screed is usually rougher, which improves bonding with floor coverings to ensure a long-lasting finish.
- Compatibility with Different Floor Finishes - you can lay any type of final flooring to dry screed, giving you flexibility and design options to create your perfect space.
You will find some of these characteristics are like other types of screeds, but it is these combined that make dry screed a popular choice.
Uses of Dry Screed
With an answer to "what is dry screed", you need to know when it is used.
Dry screed can be used in any project. However, in today's construction industry, there are a few specific uses for it because of its characteristics and installation process.
Typically, this screed is used for smaller projects because of the amount of manual labour needed to install it.
Frequent uses of dry screed include:
- Residential Flooring
- Commercial Flooring
- Underfloor Heating Systems
- To Provide Acoustic And Thermal Insulation
- To Create A Smooth Finish For Ramps And Sloped Floors
- Garage Floors
- Sports Or Gym Floors
How Is Dry Screed Installed?
As mentioned a few times above, dry screed is manually installed by a team.
Unlike liquid screed, which can be pumped, dry screed is placed by hand and spread across the floor area. Installers will use trowels and straight edges.
This means the installation can take a little bit of time and a few hands.
The process will follow these steps:
- Clean and prime the subfloor
- Install insulation strips around the walls and columns
- Lay a damp proof membrane to prevent mould and damp
- Set level guides to ensure a level finish
- Spread the screed
- Let it cure for 24-48 hours
The work is typically done over a couple of days, but the time frame will vary depending on the complexity and scale of the job.
Learn More From Our Experts
There you have it, a comprehensive answer to your question, "What is dry screed?"
From understanding how it is made to when it's used and how it's installed, you should now understand what it is and whether you might need it.
At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we are screed experts and can provide any information you might need.
If you are stuck on choosing between dry screed or liquid screed, don't stress. We can help you figure out the answer. All you need to do is give us a call at 01489 552737 or complete our online contact form, and we will give you a callback.
