What is a screed?
A common question that we are often asked at Sherwin-Williams is about screeds. From technical advice about the best screed solution for individual environments, through to the rudimentary question about what is the meaning of a screed.
Simply put, a screed is a thin top layer of flooring that sits above a concrete surface - known as substrate because it is a surface below another surface. A screed can protect the concrete from impact or changes in temperature.
Think of it as an impenetrable coat of armour for your floor.
Screeds are more substantial than coatings, with thicknesses ranging between 4mm and up to 10mm, and tend to be applied by trowel.
Which screed is best for industrial flooring?
There are two types of resin screeds: epoxy and polyurethane.
Epoxy screeds have been used in industrial situations for many years. While they are strong and adhesive, they aren’t impervious – meaning fluids could pass through over time. To counteract this deterioration, another treatment of a sealing coat must be applied after installation, meaning a longer application time and more downtime for the factory.
More modern polyurethane screed systems, such as the Sherwin Williams FasTopTM range are impervious at first installation and do not need any extra coatings. This is because of the chemistry used and the product being resin rich in its formulation to achieve this waterproof and impermeable surface.
This is one of the reasons that FasTop screeds are so popular in sectors like a commercial kitchen where installation windows can be very short, especially on refurbishment projects where production must be maintained or shut down for the shortest period possible whilst renovation work or redecoration is carried out.
This polyurethane type formulation also creates superb chemical and thermal shock resistance, and with certain aggregates being used in the mix a non-slip texture can be created for dry and wet conditions.
The Resin Flooring Association (FeRFA) categorise and rate screed systems from one to eight based on their durability. Epoxy resin and polyurethane resin screeds from Sherwin-Williams are classified as categories six, seven and eight – the highest rating providing the longest lasting and most durable options with resin flooring.
Simply put, a screed is a thin top layer of flooring that sits above a concrete surface - known as substrate because it is a surface below another surface. A screed can protect the concrete from impact or changes in temperature.
Think of it as an impenetrable coat of armour for your floor.
Screeds are more substantial than coatings, with thicknesses ranging between 4mm and up to 10mm, and tend to be applied by trowel.
Which screed is best for industrial flooring?
There are two types of resin screeds: epoxy and polyurethane.
Epoxy screeds have been used in industrial situations for many years. While they are strong and adhesive, they aren’t impervious – meaning fluids could pass through over time. To counteract this deterioration, another treatment of a sealing coat must be applied after installation, meaning a longer application time and more downtime for the factory.
More modern polyurethane screed systems, such as the Sherwin Williams FasTopTM range are impervious at first installation and do not need any extra coatings. This is because of the chemistry used and the product being resin rich in its formulation to achieve this waterproof and impermeable surface.
This is one of the reasons that FasTop screeds are so popular in sectors like a commercial kitchen where installation windows can be very short, especially on refurbishment projects where production must be maintained or shut down for the shortest period possible whilst renovation work or redecoration is carried out.
This polyurethane type formulation also creates superb chemical and thermal shock resistance, and with certain aggregates being used in the mix a non-slip texture can be created for dry and wet conditions.
The Resin Flooring Association (FeRFA) categorise and rate screed systems from one to eight based on their durability. Epoxy resin and polyurethane resin screeds from Sherwin-Williams are classified as categories six, seven and eight – the highest rating providing the longest lasting and most durable options with resin flooring.
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