Light floor screeds are becoming more and more common in contemporary building and remodeling projects. Expanded clay concrete and mixes containing vermiculite are two examples of screeds that have several advantages that make them appealing to both professionals and do-it-yourselfers. They are perfect for a variety of applications because they are not only less heavy than conventional screeds but also offer superior thermal and acoustic insulation.
The strength of concrete and the light weight of expanded clay aggregates are combined to create the versatile material known as expanded clay concrete. This combination produces a screed with good load-bearing capacity that is still manageable and simple to install. When lowering the overall weight of the structure is crucial, as in multi-story constructions or older building renovations, it is especially helpful.
Another great choice for anyone looking to create a light and efficient floor base is a screed made of vermiculite. A naturally occurring mineral called vermiculite expands and becomes extremely insulating when heated. Because of this, vermiculite screeds are extremely effective at controlling temperature and minimizing noise transmission in addition to being lightweight. Because of their insulating qualities, they are especially well suited for use over underfloor heating systems, which can enhance energy efficiency.
To guarantee a consistent and long-lasting finish, it is crucial to adhere to certain rules and guidelines when mixing light floor screeds. The final quality of the screed is greatly influenced by the material ratios, the mixing procedure, and the curing period. For the screed to function well and last a long time, a homogenous mixture must be achieved through proper mixing techniques. In order to avoid cracking and guarantee that the screed reaches its maximum strength, it’s also critical to allow enough time for curing.
You can achieve a high-quality, long-lasting, and effective floor base for your building or renovation project by being aware of the properties and appropriate mixing methods of light floor screeds, such as expanded clay concrete and vermiculite. For individuals seeking to strike a balance between strength, insulation, and installation ease, these materials present a workable option.
Type of Light Floor Screed | Characteristics and Mixing Rules |
Expanded Clay Concrete | Lightweight and good insulator; mix 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, and 8 parts expanded clay. Add water until the mixture is moist but not too wet. |
Vermiculite Concrete | Excellent thermal insulation; mix 1 part cement with 6-8 parts vermiculite. Gradually add water until the mixture is workable. |
Perlite Concrete | Highly fire-resistant and insulates well; combine 1 part cement, 6 parts perlite, and water. Adjust water to achieve a thick, yet workable consistency. |
Polystyrene Concrete | Lightweight and easy to handle; mix 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, and 6 parts polystyrene beads. Add water to reach a paste-like consistency. |
Foam Concrete | Very lightweight and has good thermal properties; mix 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, and add a foaming agent. Add water to achieve a foamy, pourable mixture. |
- What does the concept mean??
- Where can it be arranged??
- Regulatory regulation
- Kinds
- With expanded clay and sand concrete
- Polystyrene concrete
- With vermiculite
- With perlite
- Technical characteristics of lightweight concrete construction
- Equipment and materials
- Device technology
- With expanded clay concrete
- Polystyrene concrete
- With vermiculite
- With perlite
- Possible difficulties and errors
- Care instructions and curing time
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Average creation costs
- Video on the topic
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- Stretching the screed with tile adhesive.
- ❗4 rules for installing semi-dry screed in a new building
What does the concept mean??
According to regulatory documentation and project drawings, lightweight concrete floor screed is similar to this enclosing structure for finishing coating indoors. It is based on hydraulic or air binder with the addition of fine aggregate, or medium-sized quartz sand, as well as lightweight porous components that provide heat insulation, provided that they fully meet the operational requirements.
These structures generally lack the strength and dependability of the traditional screed composed of cement-sand mortar and heavy concrete, but they do offer better sound- and heat-absorbing capabilities.
There are several features to the technology used for mixing mortar made of porous aggregates, in addition to the main component’s dosage and recipe.
Where can it be arranged??
In certain types of buildings, light concrete screed installation is not feasible. Use of this design is advised in the following categories of private or public structures:
- Living rooms of apartments or private houses.
- Office space in the business center.
- Exhibition halls, libraries, auditoriums in cinemas where silence and increased sound insulation are required.
- Hotel rooms of hotels, sanatoriums, bases and holiday homes.
- Hospital wards and rooms for temporary accommodation of patients at rehabilitation centers.
- Any public or residential premises, provided that they border on exploited spaces that satisfy other temperature and humidity parameters.
Simultaneously, the following kinds of buildings should employ lightweight concrete screed with porous aggregates. Not advised:
- Workshops of industrial buildings, if this screed with porous aggregate is not required, according to technological restrictions.
- Shopping centers, shops, restaurants and other crowded places.
- Cold rooms in residential or public buildings – halls, hallways, porches, verandas, terraces, balconies, loggias.
- Wet rooms in residential apartments or private houses – bathrooms, kitchens, saunas, swimming pools, baths.
- Warehouses, logistics complexes, transport infrastructure facilities.
- Any other operated spaces that do not involve a heating device, as well as those that are constantly exposed to a humid environment.
Prior to selecting a screed, it is advised to ascertain the room’s operational parameters and then research the technical specs of the aggregates that will be used as ingredients. It is not advised to use these materials if they cannot meet all the requirements for the space being used.
Regulatory regulation
Generally speaking, a lightweight concrete screed is a structure built by pouring liquid mortar in the design position. As a result, the following regulatory documents define the specifications for materials used in such constructions:
- SP 63.13330.2018. Concrete and reinforced concrete structures.
- SP 29.13330.201.1. Floors.
- SP 71.13330.2017. Insulating and finishing coatings.
- GOST 13087-2018. Concrete. Methods for determining abrasion.
- GOST 31489-2012. Garage equipment. Safety requirements and control methods.
- GOST 32496-2013. Porous aggregates for lightweight concrete.
Numerous manufacturers of porous aggregates for lightweight concrete create customized specifications, and every product batch is put through extensive testing. This makes it possible for the plant management to get a state certificate of conformity, which attests to the material’s correct technical properties and the filler’s superior quality.
Kinds
In reality, a variety of lightweight concrete screeds are utilized for both public and residential buildings. These are categorized based on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the aggregate as well as the coarseness of the aggregate.
These compositions have different features related to manufacturing, use, and technical aspects. They also have pros and cons of their own. Below is a detailed description of every operational parameter for each material used in the category under consideration as a floor screed.
With expanded clay and sand concrete
The most popular kind of light-weight concrete screeds, which are mostly composed of medium-sized porous clay or finely expanded clay.
This concrete’s availability, low retail cost, wide sales geography, and granulometric composition correspondence with regular granite crushed stone make it suitable for use as floor screeds in a variety of residential and public spaces as well as for the production of small-piece stone materials.
The solution’s composition:
- Cement – from 15% to 25%.
- Sand – from 50% to 60%.
- Expanded clay – from 20% to 25%
- Water – from 80 to 100 liters per 1 m 2 .
Qualities:
This kind of lightweight screed concrete functions essentially in the same way as a mixture made of crushed limestone. The shrinkage of the cement-sand mortar surrounding the porous filler ensures the structural integrity.
Conditions for filler:
- Expanded clay gravel must be of the correct shape and have no traces of mechanical damage.
- It is recommended to pour only rounded particles into the mixer, with a sealed coating formed from sintering of the soil structure.
Alternatively, expanded clay can be filtered before being added to the solution; to do this, the material is poured into a bulk container and then filled with water. Only the particles that have risen to the surface and shown signs of tightness and high porosity are worth using.
Technology for kneading:
- Expanded clay gravel is added to the dry cement-sand mixture, after which it is mixed in a mixer until completely distributed throughout the entire structure of the material.
- After adding water, it is recommended to wait 5 to 10 minutes so that the liquid medium saturates the insufficiently cemented particles, after which you can stir the solution until the desired consistency is achieved.
Benefits
- expanded clay is sold in almost every construction market;
- It differs relatively low retail cost;
- Compared to most other porous aggregates for lightweight concrete, excellent structural strength.
Drawbacks: broadened clay gravel lacks sharp edges, making it unable to firmly adhere to cement laitance. Consequently, in the absence of reinforcement, this type of screed is prone to delamination, leaving big holes visible even under light impact loads.
Polystyrene concrete
For more than 50 years, building structures have been insulated with polystyrene. A single structure made of foamed polymer balls is molded at the factory into slabs with varying thicknesses and overall sizes.
These bulk-sold polystyrene concrete balls are used as a filler in cement-sand mortar to create a strong, yet lightweight, heat-insulating structure.
The solution’s composition:
- Cement – from 20% to 25%.
- Sand – from 55% to 65%.
- Polystyrene balls – from 15% to 20%
- Water – from 70 to 90 l / 1 m2 .
Strangenesses:
- Polystyrene concrete has a thick consistency, which allows the plastic mass to mix evenly with polystyrene balls.
- The concentration of insulation depends on the desired strength of the finished screed.
- In residential premises, such material does not require laying reinforcing mesh, provided there is a rigid base under the rough floor structure, since it has relatively small dimensions and does not disturb the overall structure of hardened concrete.
Requirements for filler
- The dimensions of polystyrene balls should not exceed 3 – 5 mm, so as not to disturb the overall structure of the stone material.
- This screed works great in both residential and public spaces and can be installed either independently or in combination with a self-leveling floor.
- The load on the floor slab is reduced to 25% due to the low density of the insulation.
Technology for kneading:
- polystyrene can be added to the mixture both at the stage of mixing dry matter, and after adding water;
- the maximum permissible mobility of the solution should not exceed P2;
- to achieve a water-repellent effect, it is recommended to add up to 2% epoxy components to the composition.
Benefits
- lowest retail cost of aggregate, low dead weight;
- excellent hydrophobic properties of the material;
- the screed works as a load-bearing and enclosing structure, increasing the energy efficiency of the room.
Drawbacks:
- due to the low dead weight of polystyrene balls, it is almost impossible to achieve uniform distribution of filler throughout the structure of liquid concrete;
- with a high concentration of filler and too low a grade of solution, there is a risk of material settlement with subsequent formation of cracks and a decrease in the heat-insulating effect.
With vermiculite
Vermiculite is classified as a hydromica because of its layered structure, which creates air layers between the individual dense plates. Expanded vermiculite is a type of lightweight porous insulation that is frequently used as a special filler for lightweight concrete. Individual particles of the material have dimensions of no more than 5 to 10 mm.
The solution’s composition:
- Cement – from 25% to 30%.
- Sand – from 55% to 60%.
- Expanded vermiculite particles – from 10% to 20%
- Water – from 80 to 110 l / 1 m2 .
Strangenesses:
- Vermiculite in its pure form has a density of up to 2400 kg/m3, which is why it is used for lightweight concrete only in the expanded state, when its volumetric weight drops to 65 – 130 kg/m3 .
- The laminate material is characterized by the highest resistance to moisture penetration, which is why it can be used even with a moving mixture, suitable for screeds with slopes and ladders.
Requirements for filler
- It is recommended to use only expanded particles with average dimensions in the range of 10 – 15 mm, to achieve the proper insulation effect, at the same time as the strength of the structure of the finished material.
- Unlike polystyrene, this mica has the highest fire-fighting properties, which allows it to be used in rooms with elevated temperatures.
- Often used to isolate individual operating spaces with a special technological regime in industrial enterprises.
Technology for kneading:
- It is recommended to add vermiculite in portions – about 60% of the total amount when mixing sand with cement, after which, already in a liquid state, the remains of the pre-dosed material are poured into the mixer with the solution, to achieve more uniform mixing throughout the entire volume of liquid concrete.
- Given the large number of layers of mica, a lot of water penetrates between the particles of solid matter. In this regard, to achieve proper mobility, more liquid may be required during preparation of the mixture.
Benefits
- Increased water resistance and fire resistance, the material is properly mixed in concrete.
- The presence of vermiculite in the structure of the solution practically does not affect the strength of the finished screed, which is why it can be used even in public buildings with high traffic levels.
Drawbacks:
- high retail cost of the material, since it is of natural origin and is quite rare in nature, the impossibility of carrying out repair work;
- in case of physical wear of a lightweight concrete screed based on this material;
- concrete particles cannot penetrate between all layers of vermiculite, which leads to the formation of extra pores in the screed structure.
With perlite
Volcanic glass, or perlite, is a porous material with a structure similar to that of a fine sponge that is incredibly durable. formed naturally when lava cools dramatically when it comes into contact with the earth’s surface, causing a massive gas release. One of the best aggregates for concrete that can be used in floor screeds is perlite.
The solution’s composition:
- Cement – from 25% to 33%.
- Sand – from 50% to 55%.
- Perlite particles as coarse aggregate – from 10% to 25%
- Water – from 80 to 120 l / 1 m2 .
Strangenesses:
- Perlite is used as a coarse aggregate both in large granules and in the form of particles with dimensions up to 10 mm.
- High porosity ensures optimal adhesion to concrete particles, which guarantees an unbroken crystal lattice and a strong structure of the entire screed.
- Volcanic glass is practically impenetrable to gases and moisture, which provides a high level of moisture resistance, provided that the integrity of the perlite structure is maintained.
Requirements for filler
- This material is initially characterized by increased mechanical strength and excellent thermal characteristics. In this regard, when choosing and purchasing it, only two basic requirements are imposed on it – 100% natural origin, as well as the absence of mechanical damage and traces of crushing.
- It should be noted that only perlite granules can be used for screeding, since perlite sand no longer has the required physical and mechanical characteristics.
Technology for kneading:
- Perlite granules are simply added in the required proportion to the dry sand-cement mixture.
- Considering that, unlike expanded clay, this filler is characterized by an uneven, torn surface, when mixing it is recommended to use water-repellent additives to close as many pores as possible on the material, in order to avoid its saturation with water during the operation of the screed.
Benefits
- increased moisture resistance, fire resistance and thermal insulation properties;
- reliable adhesion to hardened binder;
- volcanic glass particles also slightly react with cement laitance, forming an inextricable structure.
Drawbacks:
- high cost of aggregate;
- the need to ensure increased material consumption to create a porous, energy-efficient structure;
- risk of destruction of perlite aggregate under increased operating loads on the screed.
Technical characteristics of lightweight concrete construction
The following technical features of screed composed of lightweight concrete with porous coarse aggregates of different categories and granulometric compositions are present:
- Mechanical compressive strength – from 30 to 90 kg/cm 2, which is determined by the structure of the crystal lattice and the grade of cement.
- The density of the screed, which depends on the concentration of light porous aggregates and ranges from 800 to 1500 kg/m3 .
- Specific heat transfer resistance, with a structure thickness of at least 100 mm, is from 0.15 to 0.7 kcal/hour, which is 3 to 4 times higher than for a heavy concrete screed.
- The amount of coarse aggregate from expanded clay, vermiculite and other materials listed above is up to 25% – 30%. Exceeding this amount leads to insufficient mechanical compressive strength of the structure.
- The recommended grade of cement is M400 – M500, to ensure reliable connection of all components.
- The granulometric composition of the filler is up to 30 – 40 mm, but most often a fraction of 10 – 20 mm is used.
- Recommended fraction of quartz sand – up to 4 mm.
- Minimum screed thickness – from 50 mm or more.
- The recommended thickness of reinforced screed made of lightweight concrete is from 100 mm.
- The frost resistance index of the structure is no more than F
- The waterproofness index of the light screed structure is no higher than W2, the water permeability of the material can reach up to 35% – 40%.
The quantity of primary and auxiliary ingredients, production and mixing techniques, and the circumstances surrounding the structure’s ability to gain strength after being laid in its design position all play a major role in determining the distribution of parameters and technical features.
Equipment and materials
In order to install a lightweight concrete screed in an apartment, residential building, office, or other type of premises, the property owner or master will require the following volume’s worth of consumables in addition to a specific set of basic tools and some electrical equipment:
- To take measurements, determining the quantity of ingredients, marking:
- Laser level for determining the exact height of the screed.
- Laser length gauge for measuring the dimensions of a room, which allows you to accurately calculate the volume of solution and main ingredients.
- Bubble building level for calculating the slope of the screed, as well as diagnosing irregularities based on.
- Steel square for determining the orthogonality of the junction of the ceiling to vertical structures.
- Pencil or marker for marking.
- A sheet of paper and a pen for calculating the amount of mixture before purchasing and kneading the ingredients.
- Scales with divisions up to 100 g, for precise dosage of all components of the mixture.
- To prepare the base of a floor slab or subgrade:
- A grinding machine with a set of abrasive discs for removing small sagging and other defects from the floor slab.
- If necessary, a milling cutter with working parts designed for a specific type of coating.
- Vibrating rammer for compacting the soil base.
- Gas burner for fusing adhesive waterproofing.
- A spray foam gun used for sealing seams between insulation boards.
- Roller for applying waterproofing mastic.
- Set of spatulas for sealing visible defects in floor slabs.
- For dosing and mixing main ingredients of a mixture for lightweight concrete
- Concrete mixer – electric mixer with a bucket, capacity up to 100 – 150 l.
- Mixer attachment for drill.
- Drill without impact function with the ability to change the speed of rotation of the working body.
- Scoop for dosing dry ingredients
- Construction knife with retractable blade for opening bags of aggregate.
- Scoop with a volume of up to 2 – 3 liters for dosing water when mixing concrete.
- Water connection hose for adding water to concrete.
- Container for mixing ingredients.
- Many porous aggregates, such as perlite and expanded clay gravel, are recommended to be pre-wetted in cement lait. This may require a separate steel or plastic container with a volume of up to 10 – 15 liters for mixing this liquid viscous material, as well as a mixer for a drill to ensure uniform mixing of the composition and breaking up all dense lumps of dry matter.
- For laying and finishing material:
- Construction rigid stretchers, subject to installation operations being performed by several people.
- A one-wheeled wheelbarrow with a sealed receiving hopper, the mark of the sides of which is located below the neck of the mixer when lowered, for transporting concrete to the place of placement.
- Rebar bayonet for compacting freshly laid mixture.
- Vibrating screed or rule for smoothing concrete between beacons.
- Trowel for finishing the mounting plane.
- Deep vibrator for compacting the laid concrete mixture.
- Consumables:
- Galvanized beacons 3000 mm long.
- Alabaster or gypsum mixture for attaching beacons.
- Knitting wire for reinforcing rods or finished grid.
- Primer to ensure complete contact of concrete with the floor slab.
Only consumables with an eco-friendly composition and a short shelf life should be purchased. The tools are properly made to be of a high caliber, are dependable, come from manufacturers with a global reputation, have been thoroughly cleaned, and are fully operational.
Device technology
For all light concrete screeds, a single technology is used to mix the dry components in the proper amounts. Water is then added and poured into the mixture portion-wise until the desired consistency is reached.
Plasticizers, anti-control additives, and other ingredients are added to the nearly completed solution at the last stage. In addition, there are subtle differences in the way these solutions are produced based on the type of large porous aggregate; these are covered in more detail below.
With expanded clay concrete
It is advised to spread out all aggregate particles with cement laitance prior to installing expanded clay screeds.
This combination, which is already semi-liquid cement and sand, is added to the structure of dry matter to create a strong bond when combined.
After mixing all the ingredients thoroughly, water should be added in small amounts—no more than one liter at a time—in order to achieve a degree of mobility P2.
Using beacons, the screed is installed in the traditional manner, and the liquid material is then smoothed using a rule. It is advised to take out the expanding clay that is floating and replace it with a liquid solution.
Watch the video for additional details on pouring expanded clay concrete screed:
Polystyrene concrete
Only dry polystyrene beads are combined with the base material. Small amounts of water are added to the concrete until the proper consistency is reached. Polymer plasticizers should also be added to the liquid solution.
Smoothing the screed without applying vibration loads while moving a standard aluminum lath between the beacons is not advised when laying out a concrete mixture.
Since the polymer filler is not very heat resistant, a self-leveling floor is typically needed on top of a polystyrene concrete screed. This provides both mechanical and fire protection.
With vermiculite
Building vermiculite screeds uses essentially the same technology as combining and applying premade mortar with polystyrene spheres. The fact that there are always a few free vermiculite particles on the surface of the finished lightweight concrete should be the only consideration. These particles must be removed, and after the solution has set, the pores must be filled with cement laitance.
With perlite
It is advised to wet perlite with liquid cement milk and give it a quick rinse before adding it to a dry cement-sand mixture.
The material seeps into the clastic rock’s surface pores, giving the binder the strongest adhesion force as it hardens and shrinks.
Using a specialized vibrating screed, the screed can be superficially vibrated after pouring. This will create a thin layer of porous aggregate protection and enable the perlite granules to be silently buried in the cement milk.
Possible difficulties and errors
A lightweight concrete screed is a unique structure that needs to be installed according to certain guidelines. The master may err in several ways in this regard. Additionally, there may be some issues that come up when mixing and pouring the solution, which could have the following unfavorable effects:
- Selection of low-quality material – when purchasing cement, fine or coarse aggregate, it is recommended to request quality certificates from the supplier, which eliminates the problem of heterogeneity of particle size distribution, as well as discrepancies between the actual physical and mechanical properties of the material and the parameters required or declared by the manufacturer.
- Violation of the recipe and proportions when producing lightweight concrete for screed – there is a risk of premature delamination of part of the structure, which will reduce performance.
- Preparing a concrete mixture that is too thick or too fluid. In the first case, there is difficulty in compaction, which affects the quality of the finished surface of the screed, as well as the binding ingredient setting too quickly. In the second case, with liquid lightweight concrete, the porous aggregate, as a rule, always floats to the surface, which causes heterogeneity of the structure.
- Pouring screed at subzero temperatures – water crystallizes before the chemical reaction with cement is completed, which causes delamination of structural elements, up to complete destruction of the screed.
- Excessive compaction of freshly laid concrete – just as in the case of a mobile mixture, there is an increased risk of light porous particles floating up.
- Lack of screed reinforcement in the lower part – when the floor surface is used under loads, even a slight impact can lead to through cracks and damage to the integrity of the structure.
- Neglect of plasticizers or water repellents – even if the screed is not used in conditions of high temperature and humidity conditions, there is an increased risk of moisture absorption if a container of water is accidentally broken, or when washing floors, which will cause the material to become soaked over time.
Prior to mixing and pouring light screed, it is advised that you familiarize yourself with video lessons from professionals and experts who frequently make training videos available to the public in order to avoid the errors and challenges mentioned above.
Care instructions and curing time
To attain maximum strength, it is imperative to maintain the lightweight concrete screed after it has been laid in the intended location. The following basic algorithm is followed in the execution of these tasks:
- If lightweight concrete is based on an air binder, it is necessary to ensure ventilation of the structure, as well as high temperature, by installing a heat gun for a period of at least 24 hours.
- If the concrete is based on cement, that is, hydraulic binder, on the contrary, all windows in the room should be closed to create increased humidity. In this case, it is also recommended to increase the temperature in the room.
- A cement screed with porous fillers gains strength in at least 2–3 weeks, but walking on it is allowed within 48–72 hours after pouring.
- On the second day after installation, it is recommended to spill the surface of the screed with water until hydration improves and the chemical reaction accelerates to gain the design strength.
- After the screed has hardened, you should check its horizontal position, which may change due to the evaporation of moisture from the overall structure. In such situations, an additional self-leveling floor device with polymer additives may be required.
Since the structure in question is not entirely homogeneous, there is an increased risk of defects. Therefore, it is advised to diagnose the surface quality and, if necessary, perform grinding or minor repair work after the material has hardened and reached its design strength.
Advantages and disadvantages
Several indisputable benefits make lightweight concrete screeds highly sought after by proprietors of residential and commercial properties:
- High specific resistance to heat transfer of the enclosing structure, which helps to increase the energy efficiency of the room.
- Excellent soundproofing properties, ensuring absorption of noise and vibrations.
- Relatively small mass of the entire structure due to the low density of fillers, which is especially important for buildings with weak span structures – their reinforcement is not required.
- Easy to rework or sand hardened screed.
- Laying the finished plastic mixture does not require increased labor costs.
- Easy to mix liquid raw material.
- Increased fire resistance of the floor with such a screed.
However, despite their benefits, these expanded clay or other porous filler structures have some serious drawbacks as well. For this reason, users frequently choose to replace the screed with heavy concrete or a mechanized, semi-dry ready-made structure.
- Low mechanical strength of the material due to the porous structure.
- Expanded clay gravel, vermiculite and perlite are significantly more expensive than other types of concrete aggregates.
- Increased risk of violation of the homogeneity of the structure, in the case of incorrect technology for joining and compacting the finished mixture laid in the design position, due to the floating of light porous filler particles.
- Insufficient frost resistance and water resistance of the screed.
- A large number of restrictions on the possibility of using screeds in various types of residential or public premises.
- There is an increased risk of screed settlement over time due to the gradual breakdown of porous particles.
- Low durability of the screed – the structure can be used for no more than 15 – 20 years, after which it requires major repairs or replacement.
- Mandatory reinforcement of the structure due to the practically zero bending and tensile strength of the material.
Given that these drawbacks are subjective in nature, sales figures from vendors of expanded clay fillers, vermiculite, and other components for this material show that the demand for lightweight screeds with improved sound insulation and exceptional energy efficiency in our nation is only rising.
Average creation costs
The cost of labor and materials will be borne by the property owner when a lightweight concrete screed with porous aggregates is created.
Given that a large number of suppliers and manufacturers in our nation provide the materials required to produce such a design, their costs are roughly equivalent:
- Cement grade M400 – M500 – from 700 – 1000 rubles. for 1 bag 40 – 50 kg.
- Quartz sand, medium coarse, washed – from 2900 – 3000 rubles. per 1 m 3 .
- Granulated polystyrene foam – from 600 – 800 rubles. for 50 l.
- Expanded vermiculite – 2.5 – 2.8 thousand. rub. for 1 bag 80 – 100 l.
- Perlite – 400 – 550 rub. for 1 bag 20 l.
- Fine expanded clay gravel (specialized backfill for the floor) – 350 – 700 rubles. for 50 l.
- Expanded clay gravel of medium size – 300 – 600 rubles. for 1 bag 50 l.
- Plasticizer – 350 – 450 rub. for 10 l.
- Antifreeze additive – 380 – 480 rub. for 10 l.
- Modifying additive – 340 – 480 rub. for 10 l.
- Water repellent – from 4000 – 6000 rubles. for 20 l.
When contacting contractors, the customer is also responsible for covering the cost of installing a light screed in addition to the material.
The specific costs for these production operations are marginally more than those for installing a traditional heavy concrete screed because they are not as common. Work in this category typically accounts for between 60% and 80% of the total cost of main and auxiliary materials.
The aforementioned prices may differ slightly based on the manufacturer’s or supplier’s internal policies, seasonality, supply volume, logistical complexity, and the region in which each type of product is sold.
The performance and longevity of your flooring can be greatly affected by selecting the appropriate light floor screed, such as expanded clay concrete or vermiculite. These materials are perfect for both renovations and new construction because they have great insulating qualities and lower the floor’s overall weight. Achieving the intended results requires knowing each type’s characteristics and adhering to the proper mixing guidelines.
Many builders prefer expanded clay concrete because of its strength and lightweight characteristics. Its porous nature aids in lowering the overall load on the building structure and offers good thermal and sound insulation. To guarantee a homogenous mixture and best results, it’s critical to keep the proper ratios of clay, cement, and water when mixing expanded clay concrete.
Conversely, vermiculite screed is highly regarded for its superior fire resistance and thermal insulation. It’s especially helpful in places where controlling temperature is essential. The proportions of vermiculite to cement and water must be carefully considered when mixing vermiculite screed. For a smooth and even application, the mixture needs to be uniform and lump-free.
The secret to a successful application for both kinds of screeds is careful mixing and appropriate curing. By making sure the mixture is mixed evenly, you can avoid weak spots and increase the floor’s overall durability. Furthermore, giving the screed enough time to cure will enable it to reach its maximum strength and insulating capabilities.
You can construct a long-lasting, effective, and high-performing floor by being aware of the special qualities and mixing guidelines of light floor screeds, such as expanded clay concrete and vermiculite. These tips will assist you in getting the greatest outcomes for your building projects, regardless of whether you are a professional builder or a do-it-yourself enthusiast.
Light floor screeds provide a workable way to create sturdy, insulated, and lightweight flooring. They are made of materials like vermiculite and expanded clay concrete. These mixtures offer superior thermal and acoustic insulation, and they are particularly helpful in lessening the load on structural elements. Knowing each material’s properties and how to mix them properly will guarantee a screed of the highest caliber that satisfies the unique requirements of any building or remodeling project. This post will walk you through the advantages and recommended methods for blending light floor screed, making it simple for you to get expert results.