Liquid Floor Screed in London — Supplied and Pumped Direct to Site
We supply and pump liquid floor screed directly onto your site across London and the South East. No middlemen, no third-party installers — our own machines, our own team. We guarantee to beat any like-for-like written quotation.
Screeding in London — what actually changes
The screed is the same everywhere. Getting it into a London property is not, and most of what makes a London pour different is access.
The pump stays on the road. Our truck-mounted pump works from the kerb and the hose runs to the pour — through a doorway, a window, or down to a basement. That matters on terraced streets, mews properties and rear extensions where a vehicle simply cannot get close to the work.
Basements and lower-ground floors. London has more basement conversions than anywhere else we work. Liquid screed suits them well — it is pumped rather than barrowed, so there is no carrying material down through a finished house, and it self-levels in rooms that are rarely square.
Where we work. We pour across Greater London and out into the surrounding counties. See the full coverage area →
What is liquid floor screed?
Liquid floor screed — also called flowing screed or pumpable screed — is a calcium sulphate or cementitious binder mixed to a fluid consistency and pumped directly onto a prepared substrate. It is self-levelling and self-compacting, meaning it finds its own flat plane without manual raking or tamping. The result is a more accurate, more consistent floor than traditional sand-cement applied by hand.
Liquid screeds are suitable for domestic new builds, commercial fit-outs, renovations, and industrial floors. They are compatible with underfloor heating, floating floor finishes, and bonded, unbonded, and floating installations.
Types of liquid screed we supply
Anhydrite screed (calcium sulphate)
The most widely specified liquid screed in the UK. Anhydrite binder sets rapidly, achieves high flatness tolerances (SR1–SR2), and encapsulates underfloor heating pipes without air pockets. Suitable from 25mm unbonded and 35mm bonded. Must be deprimed before applying adhesive finishes. Learn more about anhydrite screed →
Cemfloor (cementitious liquid screed)
A liquid screed based on Portland cement binder — suitable in areas where anhydrite is contraindicated (e.g. permanently damp substrates, areas without guaranteed ventilation). No depriming required before adhesive finishes. Minimum depth 40mm unbonded. Learn more about Cemfloor →
Latex screed
Applied as a thin topping (3mm–6mm) over an existing substrate to level minor imperfections before floor finishes. Ideal for renovation projects where removing the existing floor is not viable. Fast-drying, high-strength, compatible with most floor coverings. Learn more about latex screed →
Liquid screed vs traditional sand-cement — comparison
| Liquid screed | Sand-cement screed | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation method | Pumped — minimal labour | Hand-applied — labour intensive |
| Drying time (light foot traffic) | 24–48 hours | 5–7 days |
| Full drying (floor finishes) | 1mm per day (anhydrite) | 1mm per day but less predictable |
| Minimum depth (unbonded) | 25mm (anhydrite) | 65mm |
| Flatness tolerance | SR1–SR2 | SR2–SR3 |
| UFH compatibility | Excellent — encapsulates pipes | Poor — air pockets common |
| Shrinkage / cracking | Minimal | Moderate — joints required |
| Manual levelling required | No — self-levels | Yes |
| Typical m² per day (pump) | 500–2,000m² | 100–200m² |
Liquid screed installs faster, to a higher flatness, with lower labour cost, and is significantly better-suited to underfloor heating systems. For most new build and renovation projects in London and the South East, it is the specification of choice among contractors.
What are the advantages of liquid screeds?
Speed of installation. Our pumps can cover 500–2,000m² per day. A floor that would take a traditional screed team a week is typically complete in a single day.
Faster return to programme. Light foot traffic is permitted within 24–48 hours of application. This accelerates the overall construction programme compared to sand-cement, which requires 5–7 days before the floor can be walked on.
Superior flatness. Liquid screed flows to a consistent level across the entire pour. Manual intervention is not required. The result is a floor that meets SR1 or SR2 tolerances without grinding.
Ideal for underfloor heating. The fluid mix completely encapsulates UFH pipes, eliminating the air pockets that form around pipes when hand-applying sand-cement. Full contact with the pipe improves thermal conductivity and heating efficiency. See our UFH guide → for screed depth and depriming requirements.
Lower labour requirement. One pump operator and one finisher can achieve output that would require a gang of plasterers using traditional methods. Less labour means lower cost and reduced disruption on site.
Minimal shrinkage. Liquid screeds are formulated for low shrinkage. Bay joints are not typically required (check spec), reducing callbacks and remedial work.
How is liquid floor screed installed?
In short: the substrate is prepared and edge insulation fixed, the pump works from the road, the screed is pumped in and dappled to release trapped air, then it cures behind closed doors for 24–48 hours before drying begins in earnest.
We have written the process up properly, with a video of one of our own pours from arrival to finished floor. See how liquid screed is installed, step by step →
What does liquid screed cost in London?
Liquid screed costs £15–£25 per m² supplied and installed, with around £20 per m² at a standard 50mm depth as a reliable planning figure. Larger, open pours sit nearer £15; small rooms and awkward access move toward £25.
| Floor area | Typical price per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 100 m² | £20–£25 | Mobilisation dominates the unit cost |
| 100–300 m² | £18–£22 | Most residential extensions and new builds |
| 300–1,000 m² | £15–£19 | Commercial units and larger schemes |
| Over 1,000 m² | £13–£16 | Large new build and commercial contracts |
Two London-specific notes. Multi-storey buildings in central London may need pump extensions — budget a supplement of around £1–£2 per m². And if underfloor heating is being supplied and installed alongside the screed, add roughly £8–£18 per m² for the heating system itself.
See the full liquid screed cost guide → for depth, screed type and access variables, or calculate your volume →.
Project suitability
Liquid floor screed is suitable for:
- New build residential — domestic houses and apartments
- Commercial fit-outs — offices, retail, hospitality
- Renovations — over existing substrates (with latex topping where depth is limited)
- Industrial floors — where SR2+ flatness is required
We cover London and the South East. View our full coverage area →
Frequently asked questions
How long does liquid screed take to dry? Liquid anhydrite screed dries at approximately 1mm per day in normal conditions (20°C, 65% relative humidity) up to 40mm, then slowing above that depth. A 50mm screed will typically be ready for floor finishes in 6–8 weeks without forced drying, or significantly faster with dehumidification. Full moisture content testing is required before applying any adhesive or impermeable finish.
Can liquid screed be used with underfloor heating? Yes — liquid screed is the preferred specification for UFH systems. The fluid mix encapsulates heating pipes fully, maximising thermal contact and heat output efficiency. UFH pipes must be pressure-tested before pour. After installation, the heating must be commissioned gradually — not switched to full temperature immediately. See our UFH guide for the full commissioning protocol.
What is the minimum depth for liquid floor screed? Anhydrite liquid screed can be laid from 25mm in an unbonded installation (over insulation and DPM) and from 15mm in a bonded installation (directly bonded to a solid substrate). Cemfloor minimum is 40mm unbonded. Depth requirements increase when UFH is present — typically 25–30mm above the top of the pipe.
Does liquid screed need to be primed before floor finishes? Anhydrite (calcium sulphate) screed must be sanded and primed before applying adhesive floor finishes such as tiles, LVT, or engineered wood. This prevents laitance and seals the surface against moisture from adhesive. Cemfloor does not require priming. We can advise on the correct primer for your finish.
How much does liquid floor screed cost? Liquid screed pricing varies by project size, access, screed type, and depth. Larger volumes reduce the per-m² cost significantly. We provide free written quotations and guarantee to beat any like-for-like written quotation. Call +44 7730 584 748 or contact us online →.
What areas do you cover? We cover London and the surrounding South East, including Surrey, Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, East Sussex, West Sussex, and Hampshire. View our coverage map →