Traditional Screed vs Liquid Screed: Installation & Cost Comparison

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Traditional vs Liquid Screed: Side-by-Side Comparison

Traditional Screed

  • Cost per m²: £12–£18 (labour-intensive)
  • Application: Laid and levelled by hand
  • Drying Time: 1mm per day (40mm = ~6 weeks)
  • Thickness: 50–75mm typical
  • Ideal For: Small areas or patch repairs
  • Pros: Simpler tools, no pump needed
  • Cons: Slower install, higher labour cost

Liquid Screed (Flowing)

  • Cost per m²: £16–£22 (faster install)
  • Application: Pumped and self-levelling
  • Drying Time: Walkable in 24–48 hours
  • Thickness: 35–50mm typical
  • Ideal For: Large areas, underfloor heating
  • Pros: Very flat finish, low labour time
  • Cons: Pump required, higher material cost

Screed Cost Comparison by Project Type (UK Estimate)

Project Type Traditional Screed
(Material + Labour)		 Liquid Screed
(Material + Labour)		 Notes
Small Room (15–20m²) £250–£350 £300–£400 Hand-laid screed may be cheaper; pump setup adds to liquid cost
Medium Extension (30–40m²) £500–£700 £600–£850 Liquid becomes more cost-effective with size
With Insulation Layer +£8–£12/m² +£8–£12/m² Same cost added for both types (Celotex, PIR boards etc.)
With Underfloor Heating (UFH) Needs 50–75mm cover Only 35–50mm cover Liquid screed ideal for UFH due to thinner, more even coverage
Large Floor (60m²+) £900–£1,200 £1,000–£1,350 Liquid screed is faster and may save labour costs despite higher rate

When to Use Each Type of Screed

  • ✔ Traditional Screed

    Best for small areas, patch repairs, or where pumping equipment isn’t available. It’s also a solid choice when you don’t need a perfectly flat surface, or if working with variable floor levels.
  • ✔ Liquid Screed

    Ideal for large open-plan spaces, underfloor heating systems, or when you need a smooth, level finish fast. It’s also better for thinner screed layers and tighter construction timelines.
  • ✔ Use Traditional Screed

    If you’re working alone or with a small crew and need full control of the setting process — or when the site is difficult to access with pumping gear.
  • ✔ Use Liquid Screed

    If the job has tight deadlines, needs to be walkable within 24–48 hours, or the slab must be ultra-flat — such as before laying vinyl, tiles, or polished concrete.
🔹 Is liquid screed always more expensive than traditional?
Not always — while the per m² rate is slightly higher, liquid screed saves time on labour and is much faster to apply over large areas. For small projects, traditional screed may still work out cheaper. But on bigger jobs or where you’re covering underfloor heating, liquid often balances out or even wins on total cost.
🔹 Can I use liquid screed without underfloor heating?
Yes, liquid screed works great with or without UFH. While it's popular for its heat transfer efficiency, it’s also ideal where you want a thin, level layer over insulation or where floor height is restricted. It leaves a cleaner, flatter finish than hand-laid screed in most cases.
🔹 How long before I can walk on liquid vs traditional screed?
Liquid screed is typically walkable in 24–48 hours, while traditional screed takes longer — usually 48–72 hours or more depending on thickness and conditions. However, neither should be loaded with heavy materials or flooring until the full cure time has passed.
🔹 Do both types need sealing or priming before flooring?
Yes. Both liquid and traditional screed surfaces usually need to be sealed or primed before laying tiles, vinyl, or wood flooring — especially if adhesives are involved. Most liquid screeds also require surface sanding to remove laitance before finishing.

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