Types of floor build-ups
The floor structure is an important part of construction or renovation projects and there are various types available, such as screed, insulation screed, dry fillers, drainage mortar, and self-levelling compound. Each type of floor structure is specifically suitable for a certain space and offers different advantages, such as high load-bearing capacity, insulating properties, low height, or a sustainable solution.
When choosing the right floor build-up, it is important to consider whether the structure of the house is suitable, whether underfloor heating will be installed, and whether the floor will be placed on an upper level. Staenis offers floor build-up solutions that are easy to install, stress-free, and have unique advantages, such as a lighter design or an environmentally friendly dry floor.
- Choose a filler below: screed, (tileable) insulation screed, dry fillers, self-levelling compound or drainage mortar based on the room.
- And receive only information about your specific floor structure.
Filling + grid + upper layers
How much does your floor build-up weigh?
Compare examples with an average fill depth of 7 cm, including the grid and corresponding boards or levelling layer. Expand a card to see the calculation.
Weight before the floor finish — Add your floor covering and any additional layers.
For comparison Traditional screed · 7 cm ≈ 140 kg/m² Screed layer only, without insulation or floor finish.
Example calculation for traditional sand-cement screed: 0.07 m × 2,000 kg/m³ = 140 kg/m².
The lightweight examples include 7 cm of filling plus the grid and boards or levelling layer. The screed reference includes only 7 cm of sand-cement screed; insulation, grid or reinforcement and floor finish are not included.
Density varies with the mix, compaction and moisture content. This is an indicative weight using 2,000 kg/m³, not a fixed value for every screed. The examples do not have the same overall height or the same thermal and acoustic performance.
Source for reference density: LaterliteEPS beads ≈ 21 kg/m²
Dry installation
Includes grid and OSB, excludes floor finish
- 7 cm filling
- 1.0
- Green dry floor grid
- 1.4
- OSB 12 + 18 mm
- 18.8
- Sum in kg/m²
- ≈ 21.2
Height before floor finish: approx. 10 cm
View this build-upInsulation screed soft ≈ 23 kg/m²
Wet installation, dry weight
Includes grid and OSB, excludes floor finish
- 7 cm filling
- 10.5
- Screed grid
- 0.9
- OSB 18 mm
- 11.3
- Sum in kg/m²
- ≈ 22.7
Height before floor finish: approx. 8.8 cm
View this build-upTileable insulation screed strong ≈ 19 kg/m²
Wet installation, estimated weight
Includes grid, primer and levelling layer; excludes tile adhesive and tiles
Here, Strong is finished with primer, a thin levelling layer, tile adhesive, ceramic tiles and grout. No OSB is used.
- 7 cm Strong
- 13.3
- Screed grid
- 0.9
- Primer (allowance)
- 0.2
- Levelling compound, average 3 mm
- 4.5
- Before tiling, kg/m²
- ≈ 18.9
Example including tile finish
- Tile adhesive, average 4 mm
- + 4.8
- Ceramic tiles (allowance)
- + 23.0
- Grout (allowance)
- + 0.2
- Example total, kg/m²
- ≈ 46.9
Finished example: approx. 47 kg/m²
This is a material estimate using example layers, not a fixed weight for every tiled floor. The other cards show build-ups without a floor finish. Compare their weight with the subtotal before tiling.
The 3 mm levelling layer is a calculation assumption, not a specified thickness. The amount needed depends on how even and closed the Strong surface is; levelling compound or a suitable tile adhesive layer smooths the surface. Follow the installation instructions for your combination.
Calculation basis: Strong 190 kg/m³ according to the product page, levelling compound 1.5 kg/m² per mm and tile adhesive 1.2 kg/m² per mm. Example weights are used for primer, tiles and grout. Substitute your own product data; consumption, bound moisture and dry weight may differ.
Additional layers such as waterproofing or underfloor heating, the existing structural floor and skirting boards are not included. Weight is higher during wet installation.
View this build-upCork granules ≈ 29 kg/m²
Dry installation
Includes grid and OSB, excludes floor finish
- 7 cm filling
- 8.3
- Green dry floor grid
- 1.4
- OSB 12 + 18 mm
- 18.8
- Sum in kg/m²
- ≈ 28.5
Height before floor finish: approx. 10 cm
View this build-upAerated concrete granules ≈ 50 kg/m²
Dry installation
Includes grid and OSB, excludes floor finish
- 7 cm filling
- 35.0
- Green dry floor grid
- 1.4
- OSB 22 mm
- 13.8
- Sum in kg/m²
- ≈ 50.2
Height before floor finish: approx. 9.2 cm
View this build-upHow do you compare these weights?
Why are EPS and Soft so close in weight? EPS is a lighter filling, but this example uses two OSB layers. The Soft example uses one 18 mm OSB layer. This gives approximately 21 versus 23 kg/m² before the floor finish.
The Soft example is an insulating screed with OSB. Tileable insulating screed (Strong) uses a different build-up. Soft is temporarily heavier during wet installation.
Calculation basis and what to add
The lightweight examples show approximate dry weights of their layers. Actual weight depends on average fill depth, grid type and board selection. Here, 12 mm OSB weighs about 7.5 kg/m², 18 mm about 11.3 kg/m² and 22 mm about 13.8 kg/m²; this can vary by manufacturer.
For your finished floor, also count the floor covering, underlay, adhesive, levelling compound and any other layers. The existing structural floor is not included. These examples compare the same fill depth, not the same overall height or performance.
The build-up’s own weight does not tell you how much the existing floor can support. Imposed loads and the condition of the supporting structure also matter.
Do you have construction or renovation plans and want to get started yourself installing your floor structure? Fantastic, we love that hands-on mentality!
Do you want to renovate the bathroom, or perhaps redesign the attic space now that the children are a bit older? Or maybe it's time for a new terrace?
Does the new floor need to be insulated or acoustically perfect? Is the structure of the house strong enough for a new floor build-up? Will underfloor heating be installed? Will the floor be installed on an upper floor? And which floor finish will you choose?
You can already tell: every floor structure has different properties, and everyone has different requirements for their future floor. That’s why we are happy to help you!
Display models
at Sack Self-Build
With Staenis, we focus on online visibility, but through the collaboration with Sack Zelfbouw, we can also showcase the grid system offline through open visits to the showrooms of Sack Zelfbouw.
Discover 4 different floor build-ups in real life at Sack Zelfbouw
Sack Self-build
