Floor screed with expanded clay: how to do it

Any space, be it a workshop, office, or home, needs to have a sturdy, level floor. A common way to do this is to use expanded clay in a floor screed. This method gives your floor more soundproofing and insulation in addition to a stable base.

Expanded clay is a porous, lightweight material that is simple to handle. It can be applied to many kinds of buildings and is ideal for leveling out uneven surfaces. When renovating older homes, where the floors may be uneven or require extra support, this method is very helpful.

We’ll guide you through the process of making a floor screed using expanded clay in this article. You’ll find all the information you need to get started, whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or just want to learn more about the procedure.

Step	Description
1. Prepare the Surface	Clean the floor and fix any cracks or holes to ensure a solid base.
2. Lay Down Expanded Clay	Spread a layer of expanded clay evenly across the floor.
3. Level the Surface	Use a level to smooth out the expanded clay and create an even base.
4. Install the Screed	Pour the screed mixture over the expanded clay and spread it evenly.
5. Let It Dry	Allow the screed to dry completely before walking on it or adding flooring.

Floor screed with expanded clay: pros and cons

Expanded clay floor screeds come with unique benefits and drawbacks in terms of device technology. It is advised that you become acquainted with the composition and features of the product before selecting one of these flooring solutions.

Features and properties of the material

• versatility – the product is suitable for use in any room;
• moisture resistance;
• fire resistance;
• resistance to temperature changes;
• increased strength.

Pros and cons

Benefits of an expanded clay product:

• resistance to mechanical stress even with a thin layer of screed, which allows you to make a screed with expanded clay in rooms where the floor experiences heavy loads, for example in warehouses;
• the ability to raise the floor to a greater height in the presence of strong differences in the building foundation;
• surface leveling;
• light weight, which helps to transport the product to any room;
• providing heat, water and sound insulation;
• use in rooms with high humidity and unheated buildings, since the material is moisture-resistant, frost-resistant and resistant to temperature changes;
• availability – the product is sold by construction stores;
• no deformation when the room is flooded;
• environmental friendliness;
• fire resistance even under the influence of open fire, the material does not emit toxic substances when heated;
• resistance to mold and mildew;
• protection from rodents;
• durability – the properties of the material do not change after a long period of operation;
• ease of use – you can use the composition without experience in flooring;
• reasonable cost.

• To improve the thermal insulation of the room, a screed with expanded clay is required, a layer of more than 10 cm.
• When performing a dry screed, additional waterproofing of the surface is required, otherwise moisture will accumulate under the material on the building base. As a result, the humidity in the room will increase, which will lead to the formation of mold and mildew on the wall finish and interior items.

Features of the material

Not all expanded clay is appropriate for use as flooring. The product’s conditions of use determine which choice is made. It is advised to pay close attention to the room’s humidity level, the building base’s degree of unevenness, and the composition’s application technique.

Buying materials from an unreliable manufacturer is not advised. Some manufacturers don’t follow GOST when producing their goods. This product might have a higher radiation background, which is harmful to people’s health.

Using expanded clay as a floor screed is a good way to level floors and insulate your house. This technique creates a solid, long-lasting base that is excellent for sound and heat insulation by combining expanded clay with traditional screed. It is also lightweight. It’s simple to do: prepare the floor, spread the expanded clay, and then cover it with screed. You can create a smooth, even surface that increases your space’s comfort and energy efficiency with the right supplies and a little perseverance.

Expanded clay screed technology

Following the guidelines for floor arrangement is crucial when screeding. The work will only be fruitful in this situation.

Preparatory work

Preparing supplies and equipment is advised before beginning work:

• industrial mixer or other tool for mixing the solution;
• a set of spatulas;
• a clean container for preparing the solution;
• a rule;
• guides for the rule;
• a needle roller;
• a laser level;
• rollers and brushes;
• a ruler and a marker.

Preparing the floor base

The building base needs to be properly prepared before the material is applied:

1. Remove the old coating and free the base from the screed. This is done with a crowbar or a hammer drill.
2. Next, free the base from dust and other contaminants. For this, use an industrial mixer or a simple broom.
3. Seal up the defects. Cracks and potholes are treated with a primer. Then seal the defects with a cement-sand mortar or sealant. Work continues after the material has hardened.
4. Free the surface from greasy and oily stains. For this, it is recommended to use White Spirit or a solvent.
5. A primer is applied to the building base. It is recommended to do double processing with a break for drying.
6. Determine the height of the top layer of the screed. For this, use a laser level. Usually the height of the screed is 15 cm from the surface.

Waterproofing

Waterproof the surface to prevent moisture accumulation on the building base. Arranging a protective layer can be done in a few different ways:

• For private houses, it is recommended to use roofing felt as a waterproofing material. The floor is treated with mastic to increase the adhesion of the surface and roofing felt. Then lay the product along the perimeter of the building base. The material is laid with an overlap on the wall. The seams of the roofing felt are also treated with mastic.
• For apartments, it is recommended to use a film as a waterproofing layer. Construction tape is used to fix the material. The material is laid along the perimeter of the building base with an overlap and with an overlap on the walls.
• Coating waterproofing is suitable for any type of premises. This material is a dry mixture for preparing a solution. The product is applied around the perimeter of the building base and a few centimeters are placed on the walls. Preparation rules, layer thickness and hardening time are indicated on the packaging. Only after drying, pour the screed.

Thermal insulation

There are various ways to use expanded clay as an insulator for a floor:

• Filling expanded clay onto the waterproofing layer under the screed. Layer thickness – 15-20 cm. After laying the material, the surface is reinforced with metal mesh. Cement-sand mortar is poured onto the grate and the material is leveled. Any type of expanded clay is suitable for this insulation layer.
• Backfilling expanded clay under gypsum fiber sheets. The material in this case is used in the form of sand. The product is placed on a waterproofing layer. Gypsum fiber sheets are fixed on top.
• Filling expanded clay between the floor joists. A waterproofing shelf is fixed on top of the product and a covering in the form of plywood, boards and other similar material is laid.

Although there are other ways to insulate the building base with expanded clay, these are the most widely used ones.

Soundproofing

The room is additionally soundproofed by expanded clay. The material is laid in this instance similarly to how it is for thermal insulation. There are various methods used to fix the product to the waterproofing layer. It is advised to use a high-density material to soundproof the space. Noise is only absorbed by such a product.

Installation of beacons

The following are the fixed beacons:

1. To fix the profiles, determine the pouring line. To do this, measure a height of 1.4-1.6 m on the wall and put a mark. This is the beginning of the horizon line or zero line.
2. The distance to the floor in different parts of the room is measured from the zero line. All results are recorded.
3. Select the smallest value. This will be the high section.
4. Determine the screed lines directly. Reduce the small value by another 7 cm. This is the standard size of the screed with expanded clay. According to this value, outline the lines along which the guides are set.
5. First, install the profiles on both sides of the building base. To do this, make an indent of 10-15 cm from the wall. Outline two parallel lines and then mark the perimeter of the floor. The distance between the lines should be less than the length of the rule.
6. Fix the beacons. Since a waterproofing layer was installed, it is recommended to fix the guides on the cement mortar. To do this, along the marking line at an equal distance from each other, form tubercles from the material. Fix the beacons on such areas, pressing the products into the mortar.
7. Run the rule from above. This allows you to align the guides.

Damper tape

A substance called damper tape is affixed to the waterproofing layer of the wall all the way around. This kind of product keeps moisture out of the foundation of the building. Any material’s waterproofing is increased by the tape. One centimeter above the screed’s thickness, the material is fixed. Two or more rows are made if the tape’s width is insufficient for the layer’s size.

Types of backfill

The types of backfill that are distinguished are as follows:

• expanded clay gravel – the size of the fractions is 20-40 mm;
• expanded clay crushed stone – obtained by crushing large-sized granules, the size of such a product is 10-20 mm;
• expanded clay sand – fraction size up to 10 mm, such a product is obtained from the remains of the material after processing granules into gravel and crushed stone.

Typically, screed is made of crushed stone and expanded clay gravel.

Pouring methods

There are multiple techniques for pouring a screed with expanded clay on a floor.

Semi-dry screed with expanded clay

Despite significant disparities, this floor structure component aids in leveling the building base. Expanded clay semi-dry screed also acts as a surface insulator. Granules larger than 20 mm in size are used for this. The material layer is at least 10 centimeters thick. Here’s how the screed is made:

1. The surface is covered with waterproofing material.
2. The guides are fixed.
3. Expanded clay is poured onto the surface, the material is leveled with a rule, while tamping the product.
4. The granules are filled with so-called cement milk so that the product is securely fixed and does not penetrate into the upper layer of the solution.
5. A cement-sand composition or other similar product is poured over the expanded clay.
6. The solution is leveled and work is suspended until the product hardens.

Over the expanded clay, a metal grid reinforcement can be installed to facilitate the screed pouring process. The material’s strength will rise as a result.

Keramziton

This is how floor screed is done wet. This technique helps preserve the solution while eliminating flaws in the curvature and building basis.

1. To prepare such a remedy, expanded clamps are mixed with a solution of concrete and sand. Ceramzit is first recommended to moisten with water.
2. To knead the product, it is recommended to use an industrial mixer. This will help get a solution of homogeneous consistency.
3. Before pouring the screed, it is recommended to install profiles and a reinforcing grate of metal.
4. The solution is distributed over the surface and the composition is aligned.
5. The profiles are dismantled, the resulting voids fill the materials. The surface is re -aligned using the rule.
6. On top of the screed, the material is poured with a cement mortar or a product for a bulk floor. This composition is put on expanded clay concrete, without waiting for the product to dry.
7. Align the composition, wait for the product to harden, and lay the coating.

Dry floor screed with expanded clay

Small to medium-sized granules of expanded clay are used for this type of screeding. Experts advise utilizing a mixture of materials with varying sizes. Method for applying expanded clay in a dry screed:

1. A waterproofing layer is fixed to the building base.
2. Guides are installed.
3. Expanded clay is laid.
4. Drywall, which is moisture resistant, is fixed. After this, the finishing coating is immediately laid.

Reviews

Professionals who use expanded clay screeds generally write positive reviews. According to experts, adding a layer or ingredient to the concrete solution improves the room’s ability to block out heat and sound. Finishers observe that even a novice can perform the task because the material is simple to lay.

Experts also favor dry screeds. Because the floor is filled using this technique, a level surface that is resistant to mechanical harm is produced. Additionally, dry screed increases the room’s thermal insulation.

Reviews seem to indicate that wet screed is just as well-liked. They observe how easy it is to prepare and apply the solution.

Some artisans favor applying screed using a semi-dry technique. Experts point out that finishing the floor in this manner all at once is more practical. Expanded clay is laid by one craftsman, and the solution is mixed by the other and applied to the surface.

Successful examples and options

Prior to screeding with expanded clay, surface reinforcement is a successful option. This aids in strengthening the base and ensuring that the solution is poured evenly.

Another effective illustration is dry screed. The simplest kind of finishing is this one. This is particularly valid for artisans who are not professionals. A novice could easily lay expanded clay, plasterboard sheets, and prepare the building foundation by themselves. Such a screed’s low resistance to mechanical stress is a drawback. Plasterboard sheets should be laid in two layers for added strength.

It makes sense to use expanded clay as floor screed to create a sturdy, level, and well-insulated surface. It’s a useful fix, particularly if you have uneven flooring or wish to improve the space’s insulation against sound and heat.

Because it’s an easy process, even someone with some DIY experience can do it. Expanded clay serves as a lightweight filler that reduces structural load and offers superior insulation. A sturdy and level floor is produced by pouring screed on top of the expanded clay.

You can create a polished floor that looks amazing and endures over time by following the right procedures and using the right materials. Expanded clay floor screed is a dependable option that provides both performance and practicality for both new construction and renovation projects.

Video on the topic

floor screed on beacons on expanded clay backfill

Do-it-yourself floor screed with expanded clay. All the secrets and subtleties

Screed on the ground. Cement milk. expanded clay.

How to make a light screed based on expanded clay? Fasteners for beacons!

Expanded clay floor screed. ALL STAGES. Renovation in a Khrushchev-era building