Screed (also called chape in some European countries) is a flat mortar layer applied to the structural floor to create a smooth, level surface for the final floor finish. The screed forms the link between the load-bearing floor and the top layer (tiles, laminate, parquet).
Types of screed
Several types exist depending on the binder and application:
- Cement screed — the most common; a mix of cement, sand and water
- Anhydrite screed — poured as a liquid, self-levelling, ideal for underfloor heating
- Liquid screed — thin, flowable screed for fast levelling
- Dry screed — prefabricated boards laid dry
Application
Screed is used in virtually every building project:
- Residential construction — on every floor before laying tiles or parquet
- Underfloor heating — the heating pipes are placed in or beneath the screed
- Renovation — to level an uneven existing surface
- Commercial buildings — as a base for industrial floor finishes
Key considerations
- Thickness — a cement screed is typically 50-80 mm thick, depending on the load
- Drying time — allow approximately 1 cm per week of drying time before laying the finish
- Shrinkage — install movement joints in large areas to prevent cracking
- Decoupling — a floating screed has a membrane or insulation layer between the structural floor and the screed
Related terms
- Underfloor heating
- Floor finish
- Insulation
- Self-levelling compound
- Subfloor
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