NORIT-Dry Screed

What is a Screed?

A screed is a layer under the floor covering that is applied to a load-bearing substrate. In combination with selected insulation, the screed insulates against heat and impact sound, which in turn has a positive effect on the comfort and acoustics of interior spaces. You can differentiate between two types of screed: flow screed and the other one being wet and dry screed.

Dry or Wet Screed?

When you are looking for a suitable subfloor for your floor, you will eventually be confronted with the question of the right screed. However, what is the difference between dry screed and wet screed? Wet screed is a self-levelling screed made from, for example, ready-mixed dry mortar that is mixed on site and then applied to the sub-floor in a wet or flowing consistency. Dry screed, on the other hand, is delivered to site in the form of gypsum fibreboards and is used in combination with a dry levelling compound to level out any unevenness in the substrate.

Advantages of Dry Screed

Dry screed has a number of advantages over wet screed:

• Quick to use: the dry screed can be walked on as soon as it is laid.
• Low installation height: Compared to other types of screed, there is little loss of height when using dry screed.
• No additional moisture: Dry screed does not introduce additional moisture into the building. This reduces the risk of cracking and mould growth.
• Floor covering of your choice: Depending on the building, dry screed can be combined with a wide range of floor coverings – just as you like.
• Fire, sound and heat protection: Dry screed panels are non-combustible and, in combination with certain insulation materials, provide sound and influence sound insulation.
• Low weight per unit area: Compared to a flowing screed, a dry screed is much lighter and more dimensionally stable.
• No additional costs due to screed drying

Laying Dry Screeds

The right laying technique is essential for a good result. In six steps, you will get an overview of the most important phases of screed installation:

• Apply the perimeter insulation strip: Apply the perimeter insulation strip to all components in contact with the floor. This prevents sound bridging and absorbs expansion.
• Gluing the elements: Apply the adhesive to the groove of the click system of the installed panel. The glued surfaces must be dry, free of dust and grease and free of defects.
• Laying the panels: The boards are placed at an angle and laid with light pressure against the board already in place. Ensure that the longitudinal joint is closed.
• Joining the boards: Join the dry screed boards at the ends using a block and hammer.
• Insert the skirting boards: Insert the skirting boards using a pulling iron and then remove any wedges that may have been placed.
• •    Select the top layer: Finally cover the dry screed with a top layer.