Can screed be laid in winter or in cold weather?
Yes, provided the temperature never drops below 5 °C while the screed sets. Below that, the mixing water freezes and the screed loses its strength for good.
Yes, provided the temperature never drops below 5 °C while the screed sets. Below that, the mixing water freezes and the screed loses its strength for good.
Yes, but under strict conditions. A screed can be poured all year round in Belgium, provided the building is enclosed and covered and the temperature remains above 5 °C during the setting process and the days that follow. Below that, the risk is not just a simple delay: it is permanent.
A screed hardens through a chemical reaction between the cement and the mixing water. If this water freezes before the setting process is complete, it expands and disrupts the mortar's structure. The result is a crumbly screed with a powdery surface, whose mechanical strength will never recover, even after thawing. There is no repair: the only solution is demolition and a new pour.
The first 24 to 48 hours are the most critical. A single night of frost on a screed poured the day before is enough to compromise the entire project.
In winter, the building is closed up, and the indoor air is cold and saturated with moisture. The water in the screed has nowhere to go, so drying can take twice as long as in summer. This is the most common cause of construction delays between November and March.
The solution is to ventilate without cooling the space and to use a dehumidifier rather than cranking up the heat. Accelerating screed drying requires a methodical approach, as rapid heating will cause cracking. Also, remember to protect the screed from direct drafts, and review the mistakes to avoid before pouring a screed.
Your expert in screeds, thermal insulation, and acoustic floor insulation.
