The Screed Advantage
What Is Liquid Screed?
Pumped, self-levelling and engineered for modern builds. Liquid screed outperforms traditional sand-and-cement on every metric that matters to a finished floor.
What is screed?
Screed is the smooth, level layer that sits between the structural concrete slab and your finished floor. Tiles, timber, vinyl and carpet all need a flat surface to go down on, and screeding is the trade that creates it. Traditionally that layer was sand and cement, mixed on site and levelled by hand. Liquid screed is the modern alternative: factory-batched, pumped into place and self-levelling.
What is liquid screed?
Liquid screed — also called flowing screed — arrives as a fluid mix and is pumped across the floor, where it finds its own level before setting. It comes in two chemistries: anhydrite (calcium sulphate) screeds such as Gyvlon and Gypsol, and cement-based screeds such as Cemfloor. Both are laid far faster than hand-laid screed and to a tighter flatness, which is why they have become the default on new builds, extensions and renovations across Devon, Somerset and West Dorset.
What is a bonded screed?
A bonded screed is laid directly onto a prepared concrete slab with a primer or bonding agent, so the two act as one. An unbonded screed sits on a membrane over the slab instead, and a floating screed is laid over insulation boards — the build-up most homes with underfloor heating use. Which one your floor needs depends on the slab, the insulation and the heating, and it is decided at survey. Our screeding services page covers each build-up.
Key benefits
What makes liquid screed different
Perfect Flatness
SR1 tolerance within 2mm — seamless finishes and flawless underfloor heating performance.
Superior Strength
Loads distributed evenly to protect floor coverings and the structural slab beneath.
Thermal & Acoustic
Improved heat transfer for UFH and reduced sound transmission throughout the space.
Moisture Resistant
Crack-free floors that guard against damp, mould and long-term damage.
Perfect partner for UFH
Get more from your underfloor heating
Liquid screed wraps tightly around heating pipes with no voids, delivering up to 40% better heat output and faster response times than traditional screeds. Lower flow temperatures mean cheaper running costs over the life of the floor.
- Encapsulates pipes — no air pockets, no cold spots
- Thinner pour depths free up valuable headroom
- Improved thermal conductivity for efficient running
- Crack-free finish protects your floor covering
Side by side
Liquid screed vs traditional sand & cement
| Performance | Liquid Screed | Traditional Screed |
|---|---|---|
| Flatness tolerance | SR1 — within 2mm over 2m | SR2 / SR3 — often uneven |
| Coverage per day | Up to 2,000m² by a small crew | 150–200m² with a large crew |
| Walk-on time | 24–48 hours | 3–7 days |
| UFH heat output | Higher conductivity, faster response | Lower output, slower response |
| Cracking & shrinkage | Self-compacting, minimal cracking | Prone to shrinkage cracks |
| Depth required for UFH | From 35mm over pipes | Typically 65–75mm |
Common questions
Liquid screed FAQs
What is screeding?
Screeding is the process of laying the screed layer — spreading and levelling the material over the structural floor so the finished flooring has a flat, smooth base. With liquid screed, the material is pumped in and levels itself before being dappled to release air.
What is the difference between screed and concrete?
Concrete is the structural part of the floor — the load-bearing slab. Screed is the thinner, smoother layer laid on top of it to take the finished flooring. Screed levels and finishes; concrete carries the building.
What is a floating screed?
A screed laid over insulation boards rather than directly on the slab. It is not bonded to anything below, which is why depth and edge detailing matter more on floating build-ups.
Is liquid screed better than sand and cement?
For flatness, speed and underfloor heating performance, yes — liquid screed self-levels to a tighter tolerance, covers large areas in a day and wraps heating pipes without voids. Sand and cement still suits small areas, falls to drains and places a pump cannot reach.
Ready to upgrade your build?
Tell us about your project and we'll recommend the right mix, depth and timeline.
Request a quote