Is it possible to make a floor screed in parts?

Many people are curious as to whether it’s possible to lay floor screed in sections. This is a common question when there is a lack of time or resources, or when there is a large area that needs to be covered.

While working in sections may seem like a practical solution, it’s important to consider the possible effects on the outcome. Careful consideration must be given to elements such as the bonding between the sections and the overall strength of the screed.

This post will discuss whether it’s feasible to make a floor screed in sections and what to consider in order to achieve a smooth and long-lasting finish.

What is a screed for?

A building material called screed is applied in layers over a waterproofing coating or building base. A fixed floor covering is placed over this structural component. Decoration is not done if the screed is made in a warehouse, basement, or other similar space.

Use of a cement-sand mortar results in a traditional rough coating. If the master is aware of the precise ratios, they can independently prepare a composition like this. Additionally, the item is bought already assembled. In this instance, the product will contain plasticizers and other additives to raise the caliber of the solution. A manufactured product has an advantage over a handcrafted one because its extra ingredients speed up the material’s hardening process, improve elasticity, and make the application and leveling of the solution easier. Fiber keeps the product from contracting.

Functions of a floor screed

Functions of a floor screed include the following:

• Levels the building base. This is done so that the floor covering fits well and has an attractive appearance. A level floor also guarantees the normal arrangement of furniture, without wobbling or warping.
• Raises the floor to the required level. Usually in multi-room houses, the rooms have different floor levels. To make the same height, a screed is made.
• Creates an angle of inclination if necessary. A screed with a slope is created in showers and swimming pools to ensure the flow of water into the sewer.
• Protects the building base from the harmful effects of moisture, increasing waterproofing. This is important to do in kitchens, bathrooms, swimming pools and other rooms with high humidity.
• Improves sound insulation of the floor. This means that there will be no characteristic sounds when walking. Soundproofing also protects against noise from the basement if the apartment is on the first floor or noise created by neighbors below if the housing is located above the second floor.
• Increases the thermal insulation of the room, reliably sealing the cracks that are on the building base. To improve the microclimate in the house, use a screed with polystyrene foam and mineral wool. Expanded clay is also used as a heat-insulating layer.
• Improves the mechanical strength of the surface. This helps the floor withstand even increased loads.
• Hides utility lines if necessary. Pipes or cables are hidden under the screed, as well as heating elements of the heated floor.

It is possible to make a floor screed in sections, but there are difficulties involved. To prevent uneven surfaces and cracks, it is important to make sure that the sections are properly bonded together. While proper planning and material selection can contribute to a smooth, long-lasting finish, doing the screed in one sitting is typically more dependable and easier.

How to fill the screed in parts, room by room

Making a screed in every room of the apartment at once may not always be feasible if the occupants are confined to one location while the building is being rebuilt. In this scenario, the question of whether the rough coating can be completed room by room or in sections emerges. The solution cannot be completed in two parts: one half today, and the other half tomorrow. Manipulation of this kind is not acceptable. Making the screed room by room is permitted, but there are some considerations.

It is not advised to apply the finishing coat in each room until the screed has dried. The fact that the solution will cause moisture to seep into adjacent rooms explains this. Laminate will expand and become useless if it is placed on top of the screed because of moisture.

Laying linoleum is also not advised. Because of the high humidity, this material will rot and the coating will need to be replaced. Because of this, it is advised to apply a rough coating to every room, give the material time to solidify, and then install the flooring.

If you use ceramic tiles as a finishing coat, PVC tiles, or linoleum on an elastic base with a thickness of more than 4.5 mm, you don’t need to wait for the solution to dry.

To make a screed in parts, professionals also recommend using a dry method of arranging the coating. In this case, the floor covering is laid immediately after the screed is made. This is explained by the fact that moisture is not used here, since there is no need to prepare the solution. A waterproofing coating is laid on the floor, expanded clay is poured in, and plasterboard and flooring are laid on top. The advantage of this method is that the rough finishing is done immediately together with the finishing, since there is no need to wait for the composition to harden. Another advantage of this method is the ease of installation. Even a non-professional can handle the arrangement of a dry screed. Disadvantage – high cost. Even the most budget expanded clay and plasterboard are much more expensive than a cement-sand mixture for screed.

Technique for leveling the solution

Leveling the solution involves laying it out on the ground.

Find the zero level before applying the solution to the building base. Either a laser or a water device is used for this. Follow these steps to set the zero level:

1. A mark is placed on the wall in any place, usually at a distance of 1.2-1.5 m from the floor.
2. Using a laser or water level, the mark is transferred to other walls, as well as to walls in other rooms.
3. On the walls, the marks are connected into one solid line – this is the zero level, which is used as a guide when installing the screed.

Next, ascertain the rough coating’s height:

1. From the zero level, measure the distance to the floor in several places to achieve the most accurate result.
2. After each measurement, the resulting figure is recorded on the wall.
3. A small value is taken as a high point, and a large value is taken as a low point.
4. The difference between the high and low points is calculated – this is the level of the difference in height of the building base.

The minimum thickness of the cement-sand mortar is 30 mm, which must be considered when calculating the height.

The building base is then ready to receive the material pour:

1. Dismantling the old coating.
2. The floor is cleared of debris and dust.
3. The building base is inspected for defects, after which the potholes and cracks are increased in size, covered with a primer and filled with cement mortar.Work is continued only after the composition has hardened.
4. Dismantling the metal elements or covering the parts with an anti-corrosion substance.
5. The floor is treated with a primer to finally rid the surface of dust and small contaminants.
6. Around the perimeter of the walls and partitions with which the screed solution will come into contact, a tape of roofing felt is fixed so that the material covers the surface by 15-20 cm from the top layer of the screed – this will ensure waterproofing of the building base.

Beacons are positioned after the floor is ready. Metal pipes or profiles are utilized for this:

1. Beacons are installed on self-tapping screws or cement mortar laid in mounds at equal distances from each other.
2. Profiles should be located parallel to each other.
3. The distance between the guides should be less than the length of the rule so that the ends of the tool can be placed on two beacons – this helps to distribute the mortar over the building base and level the composition.
4. After fixing the beacons, they are aligned both along the length and relative to each other.
5. If differences in level are detected, a plywood barrier is installed so that the composition does not flow from one strip of guides to the other side.

The mortar is mixed after the beacons are installed. For this, an industrial mixer is advised when setting up a rough coating in an apartment, or a concrete mixer if the floor screed is designed for large areas. In order to combine the composition and water, follow the manufacturer’s recommended ratios found on the package. If the suggested ratio is not followed, the end product will be a screed of low quality. Within 1.5 hours, the prepared solution is put to use. The material is then rendered useless.

The screed solution is poured in the following manner:

1. Work begins from the corner opposite the door. The solution is poured into one part of the profiles and the composition is leveled using a rule. A similar manipulation is performed on the remaining "paths".
2. After leveling the material, metal rods or wire are inserted into the solution between the beacons. This rids the composition of air bubbles that formed during the pouring process.
3. After the composition has hardened, a sheet of fiberboard is placed on the floor. Such material creates support for the master so that the finisher removes the beacons and does not damage the coating until it dries completely.
4. After dismantling the profiles, the voids are filled with mortar. The material is leveled using the rule.
5. After hardening, the concrete base is polished with a special machine. This finally levels the surface, preparing the floor for finishing decoration.

It is possible to make a floor screed in sections, but there are difficulties involved. You can achieve a solid and even surface by carefully planning the work and using the appropriate materials. To prevent cracks or unevenness, it is crucial to make sure that every section is correctly connected to the others.

When time and resources are scarce or the area is large, it may be more practical to work on the screed in sections. However, it’s critical to take into account any risks that might affect the overall quality of the floor, such as variations in material consistency or drying times.

If you’re not confident enough to take on the task yourself, seeking professional advice could yield the best results, save time, and avoid problems later on. In the end, even though it is possible to complete the screed in sections, careful application is essential for a level and durable floor.

Video on the topic

HOW NOT TO DO FLOOR SCREED #033

Floor screed in parts under laminate.

Return to the old site. Do the screed all at once or in parts? September 2025