Flow screed is an excellent choice for our UFH systems, it provides optimal heat transfer and a cost effective and fast installation process, From a small renovation project or new build, we can provide liquid screed for your project.
Its usage is quicker and more effective than more traditional methods, liquid screed will flow into areas that have been specially prepared for it. Liquid screed will give you a perfect level finish.
A quality underfloor heating system deserves a quality screed on top. At Radiant Flooring Systems, we specialize in liquid flow screed installation for underfloor heating – and we know that the key to a perfect screed is meticulous preparation.
A screeded floor is only as good as the prep work beneath it. Our team ensures that every flow screed project begins with a rock-solid foundation so you get the best possible results: optimal heat transfer, a level surface, and long-term durability.
Before we pour the liquid screed, we undertake thorough subfloor preparation: we clean the substrate, install insulation and edge expansion strips, and lay a waterproof membrane (DPM) if needed. We make sure all pipes and cables are secured in place. This careful prep work ensures the screed bonds properly and cures evenly. It also guarantees uniform screed thickness across the floor, which is crucial for avoiding weak spots or cracks. Starting your project with this level of diligence gives you confidence that the finished floor will perform flawlessly.
A well-prepared subfloor ensures the liquid screed adheres uniformly to the substrate (or insulation/membrane), preventing delamination. Good bonding means your final floor covering (whether tile, wood, or vinyl) will also have a stable, solid base to stick to. Nothing comes loose over time.
We take precise measurements and use leveling tripods/spacers if needed to achieve a consistent screed depth throughout the room. Uniform thickness prevents low spots or high spots in the floor and reduces the risk of screed cracking as it dries. It also ensures the underfloor heating pipes are evenly covered, which is important for even heat distribution and avoiding hot or cold patches on the floor.
Proper prep and correct screed depth mean your underfloor heating will perform optimally. The screed we use is a special thermal medium that transfers heat efficiently from the pipes to your floor surface. By getting the foundation right, we help your UFH warm up faster and operate more efficiently, saving you energy. And since our liquid screed is largely self-leveling, it creates full contact around the heating pipes (no air gaps), which maximizes thermal conductivity.
Not sure if flow screed is right for your project? We can advise. In general, we highly recommend liquid screeds for any water-based UFH system due to their superior performance. Feel free to ask us about this when planning your underfloor heating – we’re happy to explain the options.
Contact Radiant Flooring Systems today to find out how we can transform your space with expert floor milling and underfloor heating solutions.
Call us now on 07888 103330 or email us at radiantflooringsystems@gmail.com
Our specialized screed pump equipment allows us to mix and pour liquid screed efficiently, reducing labor costs compared to hand-mixing.
We also manage all aspects of the preparation and screeding process in-house – including installing insulation boards, edge strip, membranes, and the UFH pipe system itself – so you don’t have to juggle multiple contractors. The result is a cost-effective solution and a single point of accountability.
When you choose RFS for your flow screed needs, you’re getting a seamless service that ensures your underfloor heating will perform at its best for years to come.
After preparation, we pump in our liquid screed (usually an anhydrite/calcium sulphate based flow screed). This material flows and settles to give an incredibly smooth and level finish. Compared to traditional sand-cement screed, liquid screed offers several benefits particularly suited for underfloor heating:
Liquid screed can be poured quickly, even for large areas, and it seeks its own level, reducing labour-intensive troweling. It’s also fast-drying – a typical liquid screed is walkable within 24–48 hours and achieves full drying (for example, 40mm depth) in about 40 days. In fact, the general rule is ~1mm of screed depth dries per day up to 40mm thickness (drying can be accelerated with dehumidifiers or by commissioning the UFH in a controlled manner). This means less waiting before you can install your final floor finishes.
Flowing liquid screed wraps snugly around the heating pipes without air pockets, which significantly improves heat transfer to your floor surface. It has higher thermal conductivity than traditional screed mixes, making it perfect for UFH. The improved contact and conductivity can increase the efficiency and responsiveness of your heating system. Your rooms heat up evenly and quickly.
The formulation of our liquid screeds, combined with the even thickness and careful curing, results in a strong, crack-resistant floor. Liquid screed also shrinks less on drying compared to sand-cement, which means less chance of shrinkage cracks. The even surface and controlled curing give a durable, long-lasting result. (We also include expansion joints where necessary to accommodate any movement.)
Liquid screeds can often be laid thinner than traditional screeds while still fully covering the pipes. A typical liquid screed over UFH might be 50–55mm total thickness (or even thinner for some proprietary systems), whereas a sand-cement might require 75mm+. This thinner profile keeps the floor build-up to a minimum – great for renovation projects where you want to minimize increases in floor height.
The self-levelling nature of flow screed produces an ultra-smooth and level surface, eliminating the bumps and trowel marks common with manual screeding. This means your final floor covering will have a perfect base to lie on, which is especially important for large format tiles or thin floor materials. There’s no need for additional leveling compounds in most cases, saving time and cost.
