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The perfect floor screed: Comparing sand cement and liquid floor screed

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Cemfloor Liquid Screed South West

When it comes to creating the perfect foundation for your flooring, choosing the right screed can make or break your project.

Whether you’re a contractor working on a commercial development, a builder handling residential extensions, or tackling a major home renovation, understanding your screed options is crucial for achieving professional results that stand the test of time.

At Hills Quarry Products, we’ve been supplying high-quality floor screeds across the South West for decades, and we’ve seen first-hand how the right screed choice can transform a project’s timeline, budget, and final quality.

What exactly is floor screed?

Floor screed is essentially the smooth, level layer that sits on top of your structural concrete floor, providing the perfect base for your final floor covering – whether that’s tiles, wood, vinyl, carpet, or any other material. 

Think of it as the foundation that ensures your finished floor is perfectly flat, level, and durable. 

Without proper screed, even the most expensive flooring materials will fail prematurely due to uneven surfaces, poor adhesion, or structural movement.

Cemfloor Liquid Screed

Traditional sand cement: The proven performer

Floor screed

What makes Hills Quarry Product’s sand cement screed special?

Our ready-mixed sand cement floor screed has been the go-to choice for contractors across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Dorset, Devon, and Berkshire for good reason.

We expertly formulate our mix using carefully selected, washed sand and premium-grade cement to deliver superior laying and finishing properties.

The key differentiator in our sand cement screed is the integrated retarder additive. This extends the setting time, giving contractors the flexibility they need to lay, compact, and finish the screed properly – even on large flooring areas or under challenging site conditions.

Key benefits for contractors:

Consistent quality

Our specially selected washed sand ensures uniform consistency from the first load to the last, eliminating the variability that comes with site mixing.

Extended working time

The retarder additive means you’re not racing against the clock. You have the time needed to achieve a perfect finish, even on complex layouts.

Enhanced strength

We can include polypropylene fibres on request, which significantly reduces the risk of cracking and improves overall durability.

Reliable delivery

Most deliveries are scheduled as first drop-offs of the day to keep your project moving smoothly.

Ideal applications for sand cement screed

Residential extensions and new builds:

A cost-effective, reliable screed that provides strong, level bases for a wide range of flooring finishes.

Commercial office fit-outs: 

Delivers durable, consistent results across varied layouts, ensuring smooth surfaces for modern office environments.

Retail and hospitality projects: 

With added fibre reinforcement, it withstands heavy foot traffic while maintaining a quality finish.

Industrial flooring applications: 

Robust enough to handle higher load demands, making it suitable for workshops and light industrial settings.

Refurbishment projects requiring robust foundations: 

Ideal for strengthening and levelling existing floors, giving older spaces a fresh, durable foundation.

Ideal applications for sand cement screed

Cemfloor liquid screed: The modern solution

Cemfloor-cement-based-liquid-screed

Revolutionary performance for contemporary projects

For projects demanding the highest performance standards, Cemfloor liquid screed represents the cutting edge of flooring technology.

This cement-based liquid screed offers easy installation (up to 1,000m² per day), exceptional thermal conductivity making it ideal for underfloor heating, and coverage of large floor areas (up to 150m²) without joins.

Game-changing advantages:

Installation speed

Installation rates of up to 1,000m² per day mean your project timeline can be dramatically reduced, saving both time and labour costs.

Thermal performance

Exceptional thermal conductivity (up to 2.9W/mºK) makes Cemfloor the ideal choice for underfloor heating systems, delivering better energy efficiency and comfort.

Seamless coverage

Coverage of large floor areas (up to 150m²) without joins eliminates weak points and creates a perfectly uniform surface.

Moisture resistance

Perfect for underfloor heating, Cemfloor boosts thermal conductivity and energy efficiency, while its moisture resistance makes it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and wet rooms.

Where Cemfloor excels:

High-end residential projects with underfloor heating:

Outstanding thermal conductivity delivers faster, more efficient heat transfer, making it the ideal partner for premium homes with UFH systems.

Commercial spaces requiring fast turnaround:

With installation rates up to 1,000m² per day and quicker drying times, Cemfloor keeps commercial projects on schedule and reduces downtime.

Wet areas like bathrooms and commercial kitchens:

Its moisture-resistant formulation provides durability and reliability in spaces exposed to spills, humidity, and constant cleaning.

Large open-plan areas without expansion joints:

Cemfloor can cover up to 150m² without joints, creating smooth, continuous surfaces perfect for modern open-plan designs.

Energy-efficient buildings focused on thermal performance:

High thermal conductivity enhances heating efficiency, supporting low-energy builds and sustainable construction goals.

Where Cemfloor excels

The Hills Quarry Products advantage

Liquid Screed Deliveries

Why contractors choose us:

Local expertise:

With sites across the South West, including at Lower Compton (Wiltshire), Gloucester (Gloucestershire), Woodsford (Dorset), and Newbury (Berkshire), we understand the unique requirements of projects across the South West.

Technical support:

Our experienced team provides expert guidance on mix design, application techniques, and project-specific requirements.

Reliable supply chain:

Whether you need a single load or regular deliveries for a large project, we ensure your screed arrives when promised.

Quality assurance:

Consistent, high-quality mixes backed by decades of experience and rigorous quality control.

Flexible service:

From small domestic jobs to large commercial developments, we adapt our service to your project needs.

Get in touch to order your floor screed…

Speak with our team for expert guidance on your project requirements.

With sites across the South West and decades of experience, we’re your trusted partner for professional flooring solutions.

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Head Office 

Hills Quarry Products Limited,
Wiltshire House, County Park Business Centre
Shrivenham Road, Swindon
SN1 2NR

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