Especially in the winter, creating a warm floor is a great way to improve comfort in your house. The installation of an appropriate screed is necessary to accomplish this. By providing a sturdy foundation, the screed makes sure that the heat from the heating system is dispersed uniformly throughout the floor.
Making a screed for a warm floor is a simple process that this guide will walk you through, breaking it down into manageable steps. These guidelines are intended to assist you in finishing the project with confidence, regardless of your level of experience with do-it-yourself projects or renovations.
You can create a floor that feels warm underfoot and lasts for years to come by carefully following these steps. Together, we can tackle this project to improve your home and give it a cozier, more welcoming feel.
Step | Description |
1. Preparation | Clean the floor surface from debris and dust, then apply a primer to ensure good adhesion. |
2. Insulation | Lay insulation material to prevent heat loss and improve efficiency. |
3. Install Heating Pipes | Secure the heating pipes or mats according to the design layout. |
4. Install Reinforcement | Place a metal mesh over the pipes to strengthen the screed. |
5. Mix Screed | Prepare the screed mix according to the manufacturer’s instructions. |
6. Pour Screed | Evenly pour the screed mix over the heating pipes, ensuring full coverage. |
7. Level Surface | Use a straightedge to level the screed and remove any excess material. |
8. Curing | Allow the screed to cure properly by keeping it moist for several days. |
9. Final Inspection | Check the surface for any imperfections and ensure it’s ready for floor finishing. |
- What is a screed
- Types of screeds
- What should the thickness be
- How to prevent cracks
- Manufacturing concrete
- Video on the topic
- 🔥 7. HOW TO MAKE / POUR A SCREED UNDER A WARM FLOOR. From A to Z! Underfloor heating screed thickness
- 5 key rules for installing a water-heated floor
- ✅ DIY FLOOR INSULATION | WARM FLOOR | SCREED. The whole process in one video.
What is a screed
Actually, this is a layer of concrete that is poured over the base to cover up any imperfections or level the surface. Typically, the screed serves as a coarse layer that is covered with finishing materials like parquet, laminate, tiles, and so forth. A pie that has a "warm floor" system typically looks like this:
- waterproofing;
- insulation;
- reinforcing mesh;
- heating system circuits;
- concrete.
The arrangement of the pie’s components may change depending on the base’s original design. For instance, a concrete layer is directly applied to the rough coating for leveling, insulation, and waterproofing, and then more concrete is poured on top of it. Mounted heating circuits are covered over by a second layer.
Types of screeds
The so-called wet screed is the most often utilized. It entails applying mortar made of cement and sand and then drying it. Use a dry screed if the room’s electrical wiring needs to be fixed right away or if repairs must be made quickly. In this instance, the surface is merely compacted with sand and cement, and the very next day, tiles are used to seal it. Moreover, there is a semi-dry screed. This represents a hybrid of the first two categories.
What should the thickness be
The most crucial factor is the thickness of the concrete screed to the heated floor; both the coating’s longevity and the heating system’s efficiency rely on it. The heating elements will just not be able to warm it up if the layer is too thick. Otherwise, even small mechanical forces may cause the screed to crack. The final material is chosen based on the concrete’s thickness as well.
The layer should be roughly 5 cm thick if the draft surface has significant changes. Installing insulation and waterproofing comes first, followed by filling the composition. In this instance, a 2 cm screed thickness is appropriate. Only four weeks after the concrete dries completely can you install the heating system itself.
Which composition is used will also determine this indicator. In the case of a standard cement-sand mortar, the thickness should be 5 cm; however, if plasticizers were added to the mixture, the thickness can be lowered to 3 cm. A 2 cm layer can be created as long as reinforcing mesh is used.
The entire pie will have a thickness of 8.5 cm if the underfloor heating is installed over a water system, with 5 cm made up of concrete. The height of the pie will be 11 cm if we are discussing a private residence and the work is being done on the first floor. Since not every room can accommodate the installation of a structure this tall, this is something that needs to be considered during the planning stage of the project. For underfloor heating, the dry screed will be 7-9 cm thinner.
There are instances where the pie should have very little thickness. In that case, using electric heating components is preferable. They need to pour an underfloor heating screed that is 3 cm thick. If plasticizers are applied, the layer can be lowered to two centimeters. The contours won’t overheat even with such low values.
For a warm floor, a screed must be made in order to guarantee uniform heat distribution and a sturdy surface. This tutorial simplifies the procedure into manageable steps, covering everything from base preparation to screed pouring and leveling. You can have a warm, cozy floor that improves the efficiency and comfort of your house by following these instructions.
How to prevent cracks
There is a chance that cracks will show up after the solution dries if a regular cement-sand composition that has been diluted with water is used. They may result in the following outcomes:
- the heating of the room will be uneven;
- overheating of individual heating circuits, which will eventually cause the breakdown of the entire system;
- it will be necessary to re-lay the finishing coating.
You must properly prepare the composition, using plasticizers and adhering to the recommended proportions, to avoid cracks. It is advisable to install a reinforcing mesh and use damper tape to glue the walls before pouring the floor.
Manufacturing concrete
Density is the primary concrete indicator, and it is brand-specific. For low-load rooms, grade 150 is adequate. It is preferable to purchase cement grade 300–400 in areas like living rooms and other spaces with heavy furniture, high traffic counts, etc.
Additives are used in certain instances. It’s crucial to keep in mind that an appropriately prepared composition doesn’t need extra parts, but you can purchase extra materials if money permits and you want to be extra cautious. Plasticizers are also frequently used; they increase the solution’s elasticity, which facilitates handling and fills in irregularities.
One part cement and three parts sand are needed to prepare a standard solution. To ensure that the cement and sand are lump-free, pre-sifting is crucial. Until the mixture is the consistency of thick sour cream, water must be added. In the event that screenings are utilized in lieu of sand, the ratio will be 1:6. When adding crushed stone, the proportions are as follows: Three parts sand, four parts crushed stone, and one part cement.
Vital! Before pouring a crushed stone composition floor, more leveling is required.
Ready-made mixtures that were manufactured in a factory setting strictly in accordance with technology are also available for purchase. Although they cost more than the individual parts, there is essentially no chance of making the composition wrong in this instance.
Although finishing a screed for a heated floor can seem difficult at first, it is a project that you can successfully complete on your own with careful planning and attention to detail. You can make sure that your floor is level and sturdy, giving your heating system a strong base, by following the instructions provided in this guide.
From preparing the base to installing the pipes and insulation to pouring the screed, never forget to take your time at each step. The efficiency and durability of your warm floor will be directly impacted by the caliber of your work at every stage.
Once the screed is installed, you can start taking advantage of the efficiency and comfort that come with underfloor heating. Your investment now will pay off with a comfortable, energy-efficient space that raises the value and comfort of your house.