How much cement you’ll need is an important consideration when planning a floor screed. The cost and longevity of your project can be greatly impacted by the quantity of cement needed per square meter of floor screed. Knowing this will help you avoid potential problems like uneven surfaces or weak spots and ensure that you order the appropriate amount of materials.
The amount of cement used is determined by a number of variables, such as the screed’s thickness and the particular mix ratio selected. Typically, a floor screed is made with a mixture of cement, sand, and water. You can strike a balance between strength and cost-efficiency by figuring out the right amount.
We’ll explain how to calculate the amount of cement required for your floor screed in this article. We’ll go over the fundamentals of mix ratios and offer helpful hints for precise measurement. Whether you’re a professional or a do-it-yourselfer, knowing how much cement to use will help you create a screed that is successful and durable.
Floor Screed Type | Cement Consumption (kg/m³) |
Standard Screed | 300-350 |
High-Strength Screed | 350-400 |
Self-Leveling Screed | 400-450 |
Lightweight Screed | 250-300 |
Why is the screed calculated?
A screed is a mixture of sand and cement. Before work is finished, it is used to level the surface or apply a coating. Its other functions include communication node hiding. An application of thermal and hydro- insulation is made to the floor screed.
One advantage of this type of screed is that it can be applied to any finished floor because of its composition. This construction option is thought to be affordable because all the required parts are available in a specialized store at fair prices. The coating has a few years of service life and is fairly robust.
In addition, this composition is capable of insulating sound, which is important when building apartment buildings.
- coating for technical purposes, which will remain final (garage floor);
- intermediate element for further installation work;
- as a continuous coating (for the purpose of leveling the surface);
- self-leveling solution (it is quite liquid, so a sealed base is required).
In the latter instance, since the composition spreads throughout the treated area, there is no need to level the surface.
The thickness of the screed layer and the mix ratio must be taken into account in order to calculate the amount of cement required for a floor screed. Generally, you will need to use about 300–400 kg of cement per cubic meter for a standard screed thickness of 5–10 cm. This approximation accounts for variations in mix design and material density while guaranteeing a robust and long-lasting floor.
Preparation for the consumption of cement-sand mortar
The bulk materials are combined with water to create the screed solution. Although it is more expensive, you can purchase a ready-made composition. Typically, builders prepare the composition directly on the construction site.
Apart from the components listed, the factory mixture also contains plasticizers and additional additives. They are responsible for the solution’s homogeneity. Certain brands are suitable for use in colder climates because they contain materials that are resistant to frost.
There are certain differences between the products made by various manufacturers. The purpose determines the composition of the substances. Sand is used in smaller amounts for concreting, while a larger mass is needed for masonry.
It is advised to manually mix the solution to improve component adhesion. Sand to cement is typically mixed in a ratio of 1:3. Other ratios, such as 1:2 or 1:4, are employed occasionally.
Calculating the cement needed for screed reduces material costs. Because sometimes there is no data available regarding the density of substances, the final indicators are not always accurate.
- M100. Used for leveling. Consumption is 550-570 kg / m³.
- M150. For laying bricks and cinder blocks, installation and concreting (570-590 kg / m³).
- M200. The mixture is intended for laying and installation (590-620 kg / m³).
- M300. Pouring areas with increased loads and concreting (620-660 kg / m³).
- M400. For installing high-strength concrete structures (660-710 kg/m³).
When calculating the amount of materials per 1m2, it is possible to determine the brand and quantity of the substance with great accuracy. You can replace 1 type of composition with another, the quality of work does not deteriorate.
We calculate the solution and screed consumption
The pouring of the floor requires continuous construction work. The prepared mixture loses its properties after standing for an extended period of time. It is vital to determine the material consumption in such circumstances.
- area of the room being treated;
- initial quality of the coating (the thickness of the layer depends on this);
- brand of goods;
- quality of sand.
- presence of plastic components in the composition;
- sulphate resistance;
- percentage of additives;
- level of load that this coating must withstand.
Many novice builders do not know how much material to buy. There is no standard formula, so everyone uses their own calculation system.
The area of the room (for instance, 10 m2) is established following the installation of the zero level and the calculation of the necessary thickness.
The resultant number needs to be multiplied by the screed’s 50 mm height. Consequently, the area that needs to be filled requires 0.5 m³ of cement.
- The consumption of the mixture per 1 m2 of screed with a thickness of 5 cm is about 20 kg / m².
- When multiplying this figure by 0.5 m³, you get 1000 kg.
- When dividing the obtained result by the weight of 1 bag (50 kg), you get 20 pcs.
For a 1 m2 area, 50 kg of cement will be needed for a layer that is 10 cm thick. Because the material seeps into even the smallest cracks during construction, it is advised to account for this extra material when calculating the quantity needed for a floor screed—roughly 25–30% more. The combination of dry ingredients with water causes them to lose volume during mixing, resulting in a much smaller final volume.
Following the guidelines for creating a solution is advised in order to produce a screed of the highest caliber. The composition will be heterogeneous and cracks may show if the technology is broken.
- First of all, mix the loose dry ingredients. It is recommended to keep the proportions to within a kilogram. Otherwise, the mixture will be of poor quality.
- Any plasticizers and liquid additives are initially combined with water. How much cement should be used depends on the brand. The instructions indicate the exact proportions. You should not save on the material and take a smaller amount, because. . this will negatively affect the quality of the coating. On average, 1 bag of cement for floor screed (weight 50 kg) will require 200 kg of plasticizer.
- When mixing dry matter with liquid, the latter is gradually poured into a container with powder, and not vice versa. It is recommended to constantly stir the mass and prevent the formation of lumps.
- mixer;
- drill.
The mixing process will take a long time in this instance.
Comprehending the amount of cement required for floor screed is crucial for precise project scheduling and financial estimation. You can prevent ordering too much or too little cement by being aware of the amount required per cubic meter.
The thickness of the screed and the mix ratio will determine how much cement is needed for most floor screeds. A typical mix may need between 250 and 300 kg of cement per cubic meter. Depending on the demands of the particular project and the screed mix’s properties, adjustments might be required.
Preparation and accurate calculation of the cement needed will guarantee a more seamless application process and a more resilient final floor. To get the best results for your screed project, always think about speaking with an expert or consulting particular mix guidelines.