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Many people aren ’ t sure what the difference is between a concrete floor and floor screed , which is not too surprising when you consider that both are made from cement , aggregates and water . So what is the difference ? Concrete is a much more coarse mixture , using larger aggregates to make it stronger and more durable , whereas a screed mixture is far smoother , with sharp sand used as the aggregate , and much less aggregate used .

Because concrete is so strong , it ’ s used across the construction industry for structural purposes – including for floor slabs . The smoother screed is usually applied on top of the concrete slab and is most used to level the floor before the final floor covering of a carpet , tiles , linoleum , etc ., or as a final layer itself . This is often done in , for instance , a warehouse environment or as stylish flooring in a country cottage or “ industrial ” style house or loft apartment .

There are three main types of screed – bonded , unbonded , and floating . Bonded is when the screed is applied directly to the concrete base using a bonding agent , bonded is when the screed is laid onto a membrane , and floating is when

PPC CEMENT the screed is used as an insulation layer , for instance with underfloor heating .

On the next page are basic instructions for a DIY screed floor . Make sure you consult several sources before you begin , to ensure you have all the information you need for preparing , shopping for , and completing the task .

You will need :

• PPC Cement

• Sand

• Water

• Bonding agent

• Large paint brush or roller

• Bucket for mixing

• Mixing tool

• Straight edge BATTEN

• Trowel

• Safety glasses

• Gloves

• Dust mask

Preparation :

To prepare the floor , remove everything so that the floor is completely empty . Next , sweep or vacuum any dirt , dust or debris . Measure the floor , so that you can get the right mix of materials for the size .

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