Adhesive Screed | Price, DIY, Advice and Info!

Screed floor structure 11 - Choose a different floor structure

1 cm to 5 cm - with concrete slab as a base

Information

An adhesive screed is applied to a concrete slab when you want to level out your floor between 1 cm and 5 cm.

An adhesive screed is adhered to the underlying floor slab and is always prepared with a bonding layer or primer coat.

Before starting, the floorboard must be firm and without cracks and the surface must be dry, free of grease and dust.

Benefits

Achieving a perfect end result without any experience
Compartment of the screed = crack-free screed
Screed is much cheaper than leveling compound

Spread screed work over several days (no stress during installation)
Replaces the steel reinforcement mesh = savings of an average of 3 euros/m²
Less weight on the bearing floor due to the low thicknesses

Floor construction manual

1. The concrete surface must be load-bearing, stable, dry, clean and free of dust and contamination. Remove loose parts that impair adhesion. Temporarily switch off any underfloor heating. 2. Place a primer for absorbent surfaces (Primer CodeX FG 300) on the dry concrete surface (for non-absorbent surfaces you should use an adhesion primer). If the surface shows slight moisture problems, you can use an epoxy primer (UZIN PE 460 A/B) as a solution. For damp/polluted substrates, always consult the technical data sheets to avoid subsequent debonding. 3. Place expansion tape or edge insulation along the walls. 4. Once the previous layers have dried out correctly, place the Staenis adhesive screed grid and adjust it to the correct height with a screwdriver. The slats have holes, which can be used to shorten the slats and then attach them to the walls. In addition, it is possible to rotate the slat 180°, creating other dimensions that are also suitable for connection to the walls. An adhesive screed is normally placed between 3 cm and 5 cm high/thick, but by using the Staenis adhesive screed grid you can start from 1 cm high/thick. Stick the adjustment screws to the concrete surface with silicone adhesive/mounting kit. 5. Shorten the set screws with plastic nippers so that they do not protrude above the surface. You can also shorten the slats with the nippers. 6. Prepare a small amount (for 1 to 2 m²) of barbotine/glue slurry/cement paste/scalding layer. This bonding bridge consists of 1 part by volume of Primer CodeX FG 300 and 1 part by volume of pure water, to be mixed beforehand, adding one part by volume of cement, until a thick, still liquid, spreadable moist paste is created. Tip: take a small measuring cup and fill it to the top each time to obtain one part by volume. 7. Rub the liquid grout onto the surface with a gruel brush. Wet-in-wet you sprinkle the screed on it. In this way, the screed sticks to the concrete surface. Between 1 cm and 3 cm in height/thickness you make the screed slightly moister for extra adhesive power, strength and better placement. 8. Flatten the screed on the top of the Staenis adhesive screed grid. Sprinkle some screed on the surface and polish it with a large sanding board. This ensures that the remaining holes are filled and good bond strength to the tile is guaranteed. 9. Pay close attention: always apply the screed wet-on-wet to the bonding bridge and top up the screed before the bonding bridge has dried out. This prevents detachment and hollow sounds in the screed. 10. For your information: Adhesive screed is applied when the supporting floor itself is stable and shows no cracks. If cracks occur in the bearing floor, there is a good chance that the adhesive screed will also show cracks. This is of course counteracted by the Staenis adhesive screed grid, but can still occur. 11. Tip: Place a foil over the freshly placed screed to prevent it from drying out too quickly and silting up. 12. FYI: Due to the division of the screed into squares, the screed itself will still shrink and cause micro shrinkage cracks at the level of the battens. As a result, all tensions disappear from the screed and you can finish it afterwards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Side view floor construction

Legend

Concrete
Burn-on layer + possibly epoxy primer against moisture
Staenis adhesive screed grid (thickness from 1 cm to 5 cm)
Apply edge insulation if necessary
Screed with 250 kg/m³ cement
Double bonding with S1 Flex Tile Adhesive
Tile or floating floor covering
Water-resistant, coloured joint mortar
Plinth
flexible silicone

Choose a different floor structure

Introduction to Adhesive screed

Adhesive screed is a popular flooring solution, used for leveling and stabilizing floors with a thickness between 1 cm and 5 cm. This article provides you with comprehensive information on adhesive screed, including the price, DIY tips, advice and other important information to help you make an informed decision.

What is Adhesive screed?

Adhesive screed is a type of screed that adheres directly to the concrete surface, creating a strong bond between the two surfaces. It is often prepared with an adhesive coat or primer to ensure good adhesion. This type of floor is suitable for various applications and is an excellent choice for leveling and stabilizing uneven floors.

Why choose Adhesive screed?

There are several advantages associated with the use of adhesive screed, such as:

Achieving a perfect finish without previous experience
Compartmentalization of the screed for crack-free results
Lower cost compared to other leveling solutions
The ability to spread the work over several days
Replacement of traditional iron reinforcement mesh, with an average saving of €3/m²
Reduced weight on the load-bearing floor due to lower thickness

Substrate Preparation for Adhesive Screed

To ensure a successful installation of bonded screed, it is crucial to properly prepare the concrete surface. This includes:

Ensure that the concrete is strong, stable, dry, clean and free of dust and contaminants
Remove any loose or damaged parts that may interfere with the bond
Temporarily switch off any underfloor heating

Applying a primer to the surface

Applying a primer to the substrate is essential for a strong bond between the adhesive screed and the concrete. Different primers are available depending on the specific needs of your substrate. For example, use a primer for absorbent surfaces, such as Primer CodeX FG 300, on dry concrete and a bonding primer for non-absorbent surfaces. In case of minor moisture problems, use an epoxy primer such as UZIN PE 460 A/B. Always refer to technical data sheets for guidance when dealing with damp or contaminated substrates.

Installing the Staenis Equalization Grid

The Staenis leveling grid is a unique leveling grid that helps to create a perfectly flat surface for the bonded screed. This innovative system allows you to start with a thickness of just 1 cm, ensuring accurate and efficient installation. Follow the guidelines for setting up the grille and adjusting it to the correct height.

Preparing and applying the Barbotine (Cement Slurry)

The barbotine, also known as cement slurry or cement paste, is a crucial component for obtaining a strong bond between the adhesive screed and the concrete substrate. Mix the barbotin according to the recommended proportions and apply it to the prepared surface with a brush. Apply the screed mixture while the barbotin is still wet for optimum adhesion.

Laying the Adhesive screed

Once the barbotine has been applied, you can start laying the adhesive screed. Spread the screed mixture evenly over the surface, using the Staenis leveling grid as a guideline to achieve the desired thickness. Ensure that the screed mixture is applied while the barbotin is still wet to prevent loosening and hollow sounds.

Curing and drying of the Adhesive screed

After applying the adhesive screed, it is important to allow it to harden and dry properly. This ensures a stronger and more stable floor. Cover the freshly applied screed with a foil to prevent it from drying out and hardening too quickly. Please note the recommended drying time before proceeding with the following steps.

Finishing the Adhesive screed

When the screed has completely hardened and dried, you can finish the floor with tiles or other floating floor covering. Use a double bond with S1 Flex Tile Adhesive for optimal adhesion. Also, be sure to use a water-repellent, colored grout to protect the tile joints.

If there is a risk of rising damp from the substrate, it is important to take precautions when installing floor coverings. You can use tiles or vapor permeable flooring to minimize moisture problems. If necessary, you can also seal the substrate to prevent moisture from penetrating.

When installing laminate, it is a good idea to first apply a foil to serve as a moisture barrier. Then you can install the subfloor and then the laminate.

Skirting boards and joint finishing

Don't forget to install skirting boards to neatly finish the edges of the floor and to apply a smooth silicone joint where the floor meets the wall. This helps keep moisture out and provides a professional finish.

Conclusion

Adhesive screed is an excellent choice for leveling and stabilizing floors between 1 cm and 5 cm thick. By proper preparation, using a Staenis leveling grid and following the recommended installation and finishing methods, you can create a durable and attractive floor. With the tips, advice and information on this website page you are well on your way to achieving a successful adhesive screed installation.

Placement video

Placement of the Staenis grid

Placing screed

Placing screed with height difference

We deliver screed in a silo to your home (only in Belgium)

Screed in silo delivered to home in Belgium

By simply pressing a button on the silo, you can prepare fresh sand cement screed at a rate of 3 m³/h and this without time pressure to process the large amount of sand cement screed.

There are 2 separate compartments in the silo. 1 part filled with sand (0/4-0/7mm) and the other part filled with dry cement (250kg/m³). These are only mixed with water at the moment you wish.

The big advantage of this is that you can make fresh sand cement screed at your own pace and for a few weeks.

Purchase screed in silo