In a nutshell, screeding a floor is the simple act of applying a well-blended mixture of ordinary Portland cement with graded aggregates and water to a floor base, to form a sturdy sub-floor ready to support the top layer of flooring, or even act as the final finish itself.

Except, of course, there’s a lot more to it than that.

As simple as it sounds, laying screed is one of the most vital steps in flooring, as it plays a major role in ensuring the quality, finish and durability of the final product. While a well-laid screed can extend the life of a floor, a failed screed can drastically affect the quality of the floor and could be incredibly costly to put right.