Types of fiberglass for semi-dry floor screed, calculation of proportions and average price

Semi-dry floor screed has grown in popularity as a practical and long-lasting flooring option for building and renovation projects. Fiberglass plays a major role in improving its strength and functionality. Fiberglass is a strong and flexible material that can be used for a variety of construction applications. It is a versatile material.

Fiberglass types used in semi-dry floor screed are woven roving and chopped strand mat (CSM). Good coverage and reinforcement are provided by chopped strand mat, which is made up of short fiberglass strands arranged randomly and bound together with a binder. Conversely, woven roving is made of continuous glass fibers that are woven into a dense fabric, providing greater stiffness and strength.

Finding the ideal mixture for the required thickness and strength of the screed is the first step in calculating the fiberglass proportions in semi-dry floor screed. This usually entails measuring the area that has to be screeded, figuring out the thickness that is required, and figuring out how much fiberglass is required based on the type that is selected and its suggested coverage per square meter.

Depending on the kind and quantity needed, fiberglass for semi-dry floor screed can range in price. Chopped strand mat is generally less expensive than woven roving because of its manufacturing method and density of material. Costs can vary from low-cost solutions appropriate for minor tasks to premium materials for more extensive or rigorous uses.

Types of fiberglass Semi-dry floor screed
Calculation of proportions Average price

What it is?

"Fibre fiber" refers to a particular type of dry additive used in the semi-dry screed solution. The substance is composed of fiber made of polypropylene. This is a contemporary synthetic fiber made from polymers.

In comparison to other fiber types, this component has a high density, strong insulating qualities, a low percentage of fading, resistance to high temperatures, and so on.

Though it has less electrification than other types of fiber, the material feels like wool.

Fibrous fiber is highly resistant to chemicals, especially strong media that are acidic and alkaline. You don’t need to worry about parasites settling in this material, even if you purchase a large quantity for future use, as fiber is not impacted by fungus or mold and is not well absorbed by microbial colonies.

Since polypropylene material does not readily absorb water, it mixes well and disperses throughout the bulk of the mixture when added.

Why use it as a solution??

Additives are frequently used in the composition of solutions for various kinds of screeds. They greatly enhance the mixture’s qualities and encourage quick, fracture-free hardening.

It is advised to add fiber to the mixture for semi-dry screed for the following reasons:

  • bending strength indicators increase;
  • shrinkage during drying is reduced;
  • Impact resistance increases;
  • no cracks after drying.

The process is quick and simple because the material is added straight to the bucket of the concrete mixer and mixed. Owing to specific characteristics, the fiber is evenly dispersed throughout the mixture. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of using fiberglass versus metal mesh for reinforcement. Fiberglass is much more easily accessible and user-friendly, whereas metal mesh is more expensive and requires more work to install.

After the solution dries, fractures will show up if polypropylene threads are not used in a semi-dry screed. There’s also a chance that the coating will shrink significantly, and if something heavy falls on the screed, a hole could form and the floor would need to be redone.

We examine the various kinds of fiberglass that are available, their advantages, and how to determine mixing proportions in our guide to fiberglass for semi-dry floor screed. Screeds are strengthened and made more resilient against moisture and cracking by the addition of fiberglass. In order to assist builders and homeowners in making wise decisions for their projects, we break down the typical costs. A seamless and economical process is ensured when you comprehend these materials and their uses, whether you’re building new floors or remodeling existing ones.

Requirements

It is essential to select only the fiber that satisfies the requirements for the solution to be accurate. Now state the following specifications for this floor mixture component:

  • Oily and dirty fibers are not allowed;
  • there should be no foreign impurities;
  • there should be no fibers of a different color;
  • manufacturing material – pure polypropylene;
  • fiber length 12 mm;
  • density – 0.91 g / cm3;
  • melting point – 160 degrees;
  • tensile strength – 170-250 MPa;
  • plasticity.

When purchasing, it is crucial to consider the fiber length—it should be precisely 12 mm. Six mm fibers are more frequently used for plastering, eighteen mm fibers work well for industrial concrete, and twelve mm fibers are only added to floor screeds.

Remember that fiber is inert, meaning that it is resistant to the effects of acidic and alkaline environments and does not react with them. Selecting fiber is crucial when buying material from the store because, although some fibers with glass impurities are available, these fibers only alter in properties when exposed to harsh conditions.

Types of fiber for the mixture

The construction industry currently offers a variety of fiber types for reinforcement.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is fiber that has had zirconium added to it. They have a 12 mm fiber length and are not prone to corrosion. Although the material is thought to be environmentally friendly, adding it to the semi-dry screed for floor filling will cause the finished coating’s strength characteristics to decrease several times.

This kind of fiber is most widely used in plaster mixtures and in the production of architectural and sculpture items.

Steel

High-carbon wire is a representation of steel fiber. Because steel perfectly reinforces concrete, these products are more frequently used in the construction of reinforced concrete structures.

Metal fiber is a useful material for bulk and seamless floors, but it is hardly ever used as a semi-dry screed solution. This is because different temperatures cause the fiber’s properties to change, which can lead to the screed cracking after it dries.

Basalt

Melting mountain basalt rocks produces basalt fiber. It completely enhances the properties of concrete, increasing its impact strength by five times, bending elongation by three times, and resistance to frost by two times. Almost never utilized in semi-dry screed.

Made from polypropylene

We employ it The most common type of fiberglass used in semi-dry solutions is polypropylene. composed of granular thermoplastic polymer with a high modulus. Since the ingredient does not absorb water and spreads uniformly throughout the solution during mixing, less liquid is needed to prepare the mixture.

How to calculate consumption?

The belief that adding a significant quantity of reinforcing material to the screed will increase its strength is already incorrect. It is now established that the number of fibers in a single cube of solution and the elasticity and stretching properties of the fiber itself affect strength. It follows that the fiber will be needed for the solution in proportion to its strength.

The hydration process happens more effectively the more fibers are added to the mixture. The screed’s surface won’t crack after it has fully solidified.

For instance, adding 300 grams of fiber to one cubic meter of solution will only make it more plastic and function similarly to a typical concrete additive. 600 grams of fiber is the ideal amount for screeding and will boost the strength of the concrete when added to a concrete mixer. You can achieve maximum resistance to bending, stretching, and compression by adding 900 grams per cubic meter.

Calculation of proportions

The formula allows for the computation of fiber fiber. For instance, 600 grams of fiber are typically used for every cubic meter of solution. In this instance, the screed will have a thickness of 50 mm. The amount of polypropylene fiber needed is 35–40 grams per square meter of 50 mm screed. Furthermore, based on the measurements, 15 kg of cement, 0.065 m3 of sand, and 2-3 liters of water are required. Towards the end, liquid is added while monitoring consistency.

average cost

The average cost of all materials, especially fiber, must be determined in order to determine the necessary budget for a semi-dry screed. Since there are various varieties of fiber, it is advised to take each one’s cost into account separately:

  • glass fabric fiber – 270 rubles per 600 grams;
  • polypropylene fiber – 280 rubles per 600 grams;
  • basalt fiber – 630 rubles per 1 kg;
  • metal fiber – 350 rubles per 600 grams.

Based on the information provided, we can calculate that the cost of 1 square meter of screed will be 1.08 rubles if fiberglass is used, 10.50 rubles if metal is used, 2.40 rubles if basalt fiber is used, and 1.38 rubles if fiber is added to a polypropylene solution. Polypropylene fiber would be a reasonably priced alternative.

Advantages and disadvantages

Utilizing fiber technology provides the following benefits:

  • no cracks after the screed has hardened;
  • reinforcement in all directions and along the entire perimeter due to complete distribution in the solution;
  • increasing the bending and tensile strength of the finished composition;
  • good level of adhesion in solution;
  • no shrinkage in solution;
  • reduction in material costs;
  • speeding up the process.

The low cost of the fiber lowers the cost of building materials considerably, and it also eliminates the need for adding a lot of liquid to the mixture. Other than the requirement to closely follow the ratios when adding the material to the solution, there are no substantial disadvantages to the material.

Useful video

Selecting the best kind of fiberglass for your semi-dry floor screed requires being aware of the advantages and main features of each choice. Fiberglass mesh is a common option for floor screed reinforcement because of its strength and flexibility. It improves the floor surface’s overall durability and successfully stops cracking.

The recommended ratio of fiberglass to cement and sand should be taken into account when calculating the proportions for your floor screed. This guarantees the best possible reinforcement without sacrificing the workability of the screed. Fiberglass mesh may be added to a mixture at a rate that strikes a balance between strength and application ease.

Depending on the quality and quantity required, fiberglass for semi-dry floor screed can range in price. In order to strike a balance between price and quality, it is advisable to compare prices offered by various suppliers. Purchasing higher-quality fiberglass can result in floor screeds that are more resilient and long-lasting.

To sum up, knowing the different kinds of fiberglass that are available for semi-dry floor screed, figuring out the proper measurements, and taking the average cost into account are essential steps to guaranteeing a successful flooring project. A strong, dependable floor surface that endures the test of time can be achieved by selecting the right fiberglass reinforcement and properly combining it.

Video on the topic

How much fiber to add to the screed.Proportions for 1 batch.

Floor screed. Which is better?

Semi-dry floor screed. All details / How to make a semi-dry floor screed

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Fedor Pavlov

Interior designer, author of books on residential design. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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