Resin Floor Screed: The Essential Floor Guide by John Lord

Resin Floor Screed: The Essential Floor Guide by John Lord

The installation of a DIY resin floor screed isn’t rocket science. Installing resin flooring screeds is simply the application of aggregates, resin or other materials mixed to a perfect consistency, which can be trowelled or spread onto an existing surface.

This new epoxy resin floor screed provides the ideal floor finish to cover the sub-structure floor screed. However, as simple as it sounds, there is a deeper understanding required about resin screed flooring and underlying floor screeds; there’s more to it than just mixing and trowelling.

The epoxy resin screed process is a fundamental part of a flooring project, which plays a major role in the overall durability, quality, performance and future maintenance.

Choosing the Correct Flooring Screed

There are several different types available to choose from on a flooring project. Consideration of the flooring requirements and environmental traffic is very important and will enable you to make an informed decision.

• Epoxy Resin Screed: The application of polyurethane resin and different aggregate levels to create varying grades of slip resistance and durability, which can be installed over an underlying cementitious screed.
• Self-Levelling or Self-Smoothing Screed: The application of free-flowing, self-levelling epoxy resin screed spread over an existing screed or cement surface creating a smooth matt or gloss finish.
• Decorative Screed: The application of methyl methacrylate, or acrylic resin, combined with coloured flakes, glitter or quartz to create a very aesthetically pleasing floor or custom floor design.
• Underlying or Floor Levelling Screed: The application of a floor screed designed to resurface, increase the tolerance, or create a completely level floor surface. This is often important for machinery or other traffic to travel on. This screed is the underlayer providing an appropriate surface for a finishing resin screed.

Achieving the Best Floor Finish

The best way to ensure you have the perfect floor for you is to consider its requirements and performance based on your industry. The more information you retain about your project, the better. Think about collating all your requirements, measurements, potential traffic, drawings and other specifications you would want to know if you were designing a floor for someone else.

A few things to help ensure your epoxy resin screed flooring project is completed to a showroom standard, make sure that:

• The environment is free from materials, trades and other debris
• The correct depth of screed can be achieved
• Movement joints and expansion strips are correctly in place
• Screed is correctly mixed
• The mixing equipment is up to standard
• The installation team is educated about the project specification
• Protection is in place during the curing time
• Ensure the full curing time has been completed before testing
• Measuring and testing the finished floor against its requirements
• Correct after care and ongoing maintenance introduced

These details can all be discussed in an initial consultation and then implemented by a skilled installation team.

Effects on Your Industry’s Environment

Depending on your requirements, the possibility of installing a resin floor screed alongside or in between your working process can be achieved using an enhanced flooring product, which boasts unique properties.

If time is a factor, a fast-curing resin can be chosen. The decrease in installation time will prevent your opening hours from being affected, and your business can run as normal.

If contamination is a factor, a non-tainting resin can be chosen. This is recommended for food and drink industries or other environments where products are perishable. The non-tainting resin will have no effect on its surrounding environment during the installation process.

Need a Consultation?

For more information about our resin flooring screeds or a consultation about your project with a technical flooring manager, please call 0161 764 4617 or email the John Lord team.

Frequently asked questions about screed flooring

What is the life expectancy of an epoxy floor?

A well-maintained epoxy resin floor can last anywhere from ten to twenty years! Depending on the environment it’s placed in and how often it’s cleaned and looked after, a John Lord epoxy resin floor is built to last.

Can mould grow under an epoxy floor?

If the epoxy resin flooring was fitted incorrectly, without the proper ventilation, moisture trapped under the flooring, or coming up through the water table, can begin to cause mould to form. However, with proper installation, this can be avoided.

Is epoxy 100% waterproof?

Yes! Once fully cured, an epoxy resin flooring is 100% waterproof and will repel water, making it the ideal flooring solution for many industries.

Is epoxy flooring slippery when wet?

Standard epoxy flooring is slippery when wet due to its smooth, waterproof surface. John Lord offer a range of resin flooring with textured surfaces, such as Uragard, for a smooth, non-slip surface.

How long does epoxy screed take to dry?

An epoxy flooring can take anywhere from 24 hours to 10 days to cure, depending on the product, placement of the flooring, and how heavy-duty you need the floor to be. Most resin floors can be walked on after just 24 hours, and will cure faster in warmer temperatures.

Are epoxy floors high maintenance?

No! In fact, epoxy resin floors are very low-maintenance and easy to clean due to their seamless, waterproof texture. A sweep and mop when doing your regular cleaning and maintenance will keep your floor in the best condition.