Dry floor screed: do it yourself from A to Z

For those who want to level their floors without the mess and inconvenience of conventional wet methods, dry floor screed is revolutionary. It’s an efficient way to get a sturdy, smooth surface in a shorter amount of time.

It can save you time and money to learn how to install a dry screed yourself, whether you’re building a new project or remodeling a space. Regardless of your level of experience with do-it-yourself projects, the process is simple.

We’ll walk you through every step of the process in this guide, from leveling the floor to installing the screed panels. You’ll know everything by the end.

Types

Firstly, dry screeds are categorized according to the bulk insulation (expanded clay, perlite, polystyrene chips, mineral wool) and sheet materials (gypsum fiberboard, chipboard, OSB, or plywood).

See the following sections for more information on the benefits of using various materials.

Since the greatest demand among buyers in Russia is elements for a dry screed of the KNAUF brand floor, we will dwell on the internal classification of this manufacturer. The German company distinguishes product groups “Alpha”, “Beta”, “Vega” and “Gamma”. Which group the sample belongs to depends on the purpose and difficulty of installation. The “Alpha” and “Beta” groups are designed for floors with a flat surface. The difference of the second is in the purpose for laying on a layer of heat and sound insulating porous-sponge or porous-fibrous materials. Here is foamed polystyrene, and polyethylene “Vilaterm”, and mineral wool in the form of slabs. The use of products from the “Vega” group is the third level of complexity, implies that the soundproofing and leveling layer is made of bulk material.

The characteristics of the first two groups are combined in the fourth group, called "Gamma," which is installed on both slab and bulk insulation.

Pros and cons

Let’s begin by discussing the benefits that dry floor screeds offer; the drawbacks will be covered in the section’s conclusion. The hosts save time because installation work on arranging the floor structure without the use of sand-cement mortar is completed much faster. You will need to wait four weeks for the layer to fully solidify, moistening the mixture every day, after spending a day on a wet screed. There’s nothing stopping you from laying a finishing floor the same day the sheet leveling layer was laid.

The ease of installation is the second biggest benefit of a dry screed; all the information needed to install it can be obtained from videos and preparation instructions.

Errors often made when mixing a solution for a cement-sand floor screed, in this case, do not threaten to turn floor leveling into a nightmare for inexperienced owners. A simple calculation of the necessary components for a dry floor screed using an online calculator also speaks in favor of choosing sheet leveling. It is reliable and does not take much time. Reviews of dry screed note the high heat and sound insulation properties of such a floor – if you responsibly approach the choice of materials for dry floor screed. It is not necessary to install a dry screed in one go, you can do it in parts, with breaks, which is prohibited when pouring a room with a solution for cement-sand screed.

An additional benefit of utilizing a dry screed is the ease of communication provided by the flooring. This implies that all lines that are easy for the owner to access in order to address issues will be installed there, including heating pipes and electrical wires or cables. The construction will not cost any more than a traditional cement-sand screed, which is the final but equally important benefit of dry floor leveling technology. So the listed benefits won’t even require you to pay more than necessary. Furthermore, installation is feasible throughout the entire year.

A dry screed’s fear of moisture and inferior strength and durability when compared to a wet one are its drawbacks.

Therefore, if a high floor load is anticipated in the room, traditional leveling with mortar is advised. Increasing the number of logs is an option, but it’s not a cure-all and won’t be helpful in every situation.

Additionally, it is preferable to avoid using dry screed in high-humidity areas, which are mostly bathrooms and kitchens. Additionally, prior to installing the materials, they must be protected from moisture, and before applying the finishing coating, the screed must be completed. Another drawback of dry screed is that it is incompatible with floors heated by water.

Materials and tools

As was previously mentioned, different kinds of dry screed will call for various components. For instance, sheets of reduced-to-two-times gypsum fiber are frequently used as sheet material. The following sizes are those we advise selecting: 100 x 150, or 60 x 120 cm, with a thickness of 1 cm. Of course, you are free to use a standard gypsum fiber sheet in place of a small-format one, but working with it alone is challenging because of its weight. Although less common, plywood, OSB, or chipboard sheets are also suitable alternatives.

Expanded clay with fine grains is typically used as a bulk insulator. However, a dry mixture based on polystyrene foam or perlite works just as well for floor screeds. Polystyrene foam is costly and combustible, though. Although basalt wool does not have a high thermal insulation index, it is a more fire-resistant option. The fact that ceramite is utilized more frequently than other insulation materials is generally not for nothing.

Polyethylene film is a representation of traditional waterproofing. However, paraffin or bitumen paper is laid if the insulating layer needs to have air permeability. This is typically required when dealing with wooden floors. Moreover, vapor barrier in floor screeds is addressed by roofing felt and parchment. PVA glue, damper tape, and self-tapping screws for sheet fastening are examples of components that do not suggest alternatives.

The toolset does not include any unusual items; most likely, you can find everything at home. However, double-check and have available:

• tape measure;
• marker (pencil);
• jigsaw or sharp knife;
• screwdriver;
• narrow spatula and brush;
• level and rule;
• beacons (a metal profile, small diameter pipes, and timber will do);
• protective respirator and glasses (it will be dusty when using fine-grained loose insulation).

Without the mess and inconvenience of traditional wet methods, dry floor screed is an easy and efficient way to level your floors. This article will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to finish the process, from laying the screed to preparing the surface. Regardless of your level of experience with do-it-yourself projects, this guide will assist you in creating a sturdy, smooth floor that is prepared for any type of finish.

Technology and device of dry screed

The following are the short instructions for the dry floor screed device:

• clean the subfloor;
• eliminate defects;
• lay a layer of waterproofing;
• set up beacons;
• fill and level the insulation;
• lay sheet material.

An experienced builder who is familiar with the technology of the specified stages would benefit from such a guide. We provide a thorough explanation of the impending work in the sections that follow, especially for inexperienced craftsmen.

Step-by-step instructions

As usual, the first step is to get ready. When using a dry floor screed, the first step in preparation is to make sure the room is kept at a low or normal humidity level. The temperature regime is also crucial. We ensure that the temperature in the room doesn’t drop below +5 degrees Celsius. Additionally, we have completed the installation of the plumbing and electrical systems, or "wet" construction work, by the time dry floor leveling starts.

You ought to be able to handle a dry floor screed project independently by this point. Despite being distinct from conventional wet screeds, this method has several advantages, particularly with regard to speed and cleanliness.

Recall that meticulous planning and close attention to detail at every stage are essential for a successful dry screed. It will be worthwhile to take the time to carefully level the base, install the moisture barrier, and arrange the screed boards so that the finished product is sturdy and level and ready for the finish of your choice.

In case you’re remodeling

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