Screed

A thin layer of cement-based material applied over a concrete subfloor to create a smooth, level surface for final floor finishes.

Screed is a cement-based layer applied on top of a concrete subfloor (or structural slab) to create a smooth, flat surface for your final floor finish — whether that is tiles, wood, vinyl, or carpet. It is one of those behind-the-scenes elements that most homeowners never think about, but getting it right is essential for a quality renovation.

Types of screed

  • Sand and cement screed — the traditional mix, applied by hand and levelled with a straight edge. Cost-effective and widely used
  • Liquid (self-levelling) screed — a pourable anhydrite or cementitious screed pumped into position. It flows to find its own level, making it faster to install and ideal for underfloor heating
  • Fast-drying screed — modified to cure faster than traditional screed, reducing waiting time before you can lay your floor finish

Why screed matters in a renovation

  • Floor levels — if you are combining rooms (removing a wall between a kitchen and living room, for example), floor levels may differ. Screed is used to bring everything to the same height
  • Underfloor heating — heating pipes or electric mats are laid on top of insulation and then covered with screed, which acts as a thermal mass to distribute heat evenly
  • Damp protection — in ground-floor renovations, screed is often laid over a damp-proof membrane and insulation layer
  • Tiling base — large-format floor tiles need a very flat base; screed provides this

Drying times

Screed must dry before floor finishes can be laid on top. This is a common cause of delays:

  • Traditional sand and cement screed: roughly 1 day per millimetre of thickness for the first 40 mm, then 2 days per mm after that. A 50 mm screed may take around 60 days to dry fully
  • Liquid screed: typically faster, but still requires several weeks

Your contractor should factor drying time into the project schedule from the start.

Practical tip

When planning your renovation timeline, ask your contractor specifically about screed drying times. It is one of the most common causes of unexpected delays. If time is tight, discuss fast-drying screed options or the use of a dehumidifier to speed the process.