Sealing a screed floor - I KNOW IT CAN BE DONE! - but how?

3 years ago

We are renovating a modest house in Jersey in the longest running, over budget project known to man (2020 was not the year to do this). The look is quite raw - bare granite, concrete lintels, plywood stairs & upper floors. We are finally about to install the ground floor windows, after which the screed for the g/f is to be laid. It includes underfloor heating.

We have no particular desire for any specific look for the g/f, and have some friends here whose house has a floor of screed (made with white plaster) that was treated with something (they've forgotten what) about 12 years ago and has weathered very nicely. It will do us fine and we are trying to find someone who is happy to go with a waterproofed screed instead of steering us towards polished concrete or microcement or resin, all of which will be an extra cost on top of the screed and seem unnecessary. We've talked with the builder about various mix and sealing options - the latest suggestion is a non-yellowing polyurethane coat, which I'm hoping to try out, but it's hard work trying to encourage people to give it a go.

So my question is, is there anyone who has retained a screed floor without covering it up, and are there any suggestions for sealing it?

Thank you!

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Comments (2)

Rowland
3 years ago
hi Kate,

I think your friends floor was probably constructed using a white portland cement and white sharp sand rather than the normal sand and cement which ends up grey.

you can acheive this lighter finish with the described use of materials..

there are a number of general cement sealers that can then be applied to reduce the amount of dusting on the floor.

if you leave the floor to dry and then use a diamond floor polisher you can get it very flat and smooth prior to applying the seal of which there are many. stonetech have a few such as bulletproof that will seal the floor and help prevent staining.

good luck with the project- the secret is the selection of the aggregate to get the desired finish.

best

Rowland
Kate Renouf thanked Rowland
Kate Renouf
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Rowland, that's super helpful and just nice to have a common sense response rather than arms flying up in horror at the thought! Much appreciated. Kate
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Sealing a screed floor - I KNOW IT CAN BE DONE! - but how?

Comments (2)

Rowland

Kate Renouf
Original Author

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Sealing a screed floor - I KNOW IT CAN BE DONE! - but how?

Comments (2)

Rowland

Kate RenoufOriginal Author

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Kate Renouf
Original Author