Discover the differences between traditional, reinforced and fluid screeds. Advantages, disadvantages and practical advice for choosing the ideal screed based on your criteria and constraints.
Choosing the right type of screed is a crucial step to ensure the strength, durability and comfort of your floors. Between traditional screeds, reinforced screeds and fluid screeds, the characteristics vary greatly: drying time, price, mechanical resistance, compatibility with underfloor heating. In this article, Davide Chape guides you through the differences and advantages of each solution, so you can make the choice that best fits your needs.
How do you choose the right screed for your project?
A traditional screed if:
- Your budget is limited.
- Drying time is not an issue.
- The project involves outdoor or heavily used surfaces.
A reinforced screed if:
- You are installing underfloor heating.
- You need to avoid cracks.
- You have heavy mechanical loads (garage, workshop).
A fluid screed if:
- Your project has tight deadlines.
- You need to cover a large area.
- You want a perfectly level surface for installing modern floor coverings.
Traditional screed — robustness and affordability
Composition and application
The traditional screed, or sand-cement screed, is made from a mixture of cement, sand and water. Prepared directly on site or delivered ready to use, it is laid manually, levelled with a straightedge and then smoothed.
- Average thickness: 4–7 cm
- Standard dosage: approx. 150 kg of cement per m³ of sand
Advantages
- Versatility: suitable for tiles, parquet, vinyl, carpet...
- Strength: high mechanical resistance, ideal for high-traffic areas.
- Cost-effective: €10–25/m², the most economical solution.
- Suitable for outdoor use: unlike fluid screeds, it withstands bad weather.
Limitations
- Long drying time: up to 12 weeks for a 7 cm thickness.
- Labour-intensive installation: requires professional know-how.
- Risk of cracking if the mix or application is poorly executed.
👉 Traditional screed remains a good choice for small budgets, projects without time pressure and outdoor applications.
Reinforced screed — greater strength and safety
What is a reinforced screed?
A reinforced screed is based on a traditional screed but includes mechanical reinforcement to reduce cracking and improve strength:
- Wire mesh: welded steel mesh integrated into the screed.
- Synthetic or metallic fibres: mixed directly into the mortar for even distribution.
Advantages
- Higher resistance: ideal for areas subject to heavy loads.
- Fewer cracks: reinforcements absorb mechanical and thermal stresses.
- Compatible with underfloor heating: reduces cracks caused by temperature variations.
- Reduced thickness: 3–6 cm is often sufficient, leaving more room for insulation.
- Shorter drying time (especially for fibre-reinforced screeds, which require less water).
Limitations
- Higher cost: €30–60/m², 2 to 3 times more than a traditional screed.
- Requires skilled professionals: technical installation that must be done correctly.
👉 Reinforced screed is ideal for large areas, underfloor heating and zones exposed to heavy mechanical loads (garages, workshops).
Fluid screed — speed and modern performance
Types of fluid screeds
- Cement-based fluid screed: cement + sand + water + additives. Moisture-resistant, suitable for residential homes.
- Anhydrite fluid screed: based on calcium sulphate. Excellent thermal conductivity and flatness, but moisture-sensitive.
Advantages
- Quick installation: pumped directly onto the floor, self-levelling.
- Perfect flatness: ideal base for modern floor coverings (large-format tiles, engineered parquet).
- Excellent underfloor heating compatibility: up to 3x better thermal conductivity than traditional screeds.
- Reduced thickness: only 3 cm (anhydrite) or 5 cm (cement).
- Time-saving: initial drying within 24–48 hours.
Limitations
- Higher cost: €25–60/m².
- Sensitive to moisture (anhydrite unsuitable for outdoors or wet rooms).
- Strict installation requirements: must be applied by a certified installer.
👉 Fluid screed is the best solution for large areas, fast-track projects and underfloor heating.
Conclusion
The choice between a traditional, reinforced or fluid screed depends above all on your priorities: budget, deadlines, type of flooring, and mechanical or thermal constraints.
At Davide Chape, we support each project with personalised advice to ensure you get the best, most durable and most suitable solution for your needs.
