Find out why liquid screed is the smarter choice for flooring.
Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever had to level a dry screed floor manually, you’ve probably muttered a few choice words under your breath. It’s back-breaking, time-consuming, and about as fun as watching paint dry (which, coincidentally, is faster than dry screed curing). That’s where liquid screed steps in. It’s quicker, smoother, and doesn’t leave you cursing your trowel. But does it always win? Or does dry screed still have a leg to stand on? Let’s cut through the cement dust and find out.
What is Liquid Screed?
Liquid screed, or flowing screed if you’re feeling fancy, is a self-levelling mix of cement, sand, and water. It pours like a dream and levels itself like it’s got a mind of its own. Better yet, it’s designed to fill every nook and cranny without the need for excessive hands-on labour.
Think of it like pancake batter—pour it out, let it settle, and job’s a good’un. No need for endless trowelling and no backache at the end of the day.
Key Features of Liquid Screed
- Fast installation – No knee-breaking levelling needed
- Dries quicker than a builder’s cuppa – Walkable in 24 hours
- Perfect for underfloor heating – No air gaps, just warm toes
- Can be applied thinner than dry screed – Less material, less hassle
Liquid Screed vs Dry Screed Indoors: A No-Nonsense Comparison
Installation Speed
Liquid screed - Pour it, pump it, let it settle – this Gov commentary said you can do up to 1,000m² in a day.
Dry screed - Trowel it, curse a bit, level it manually, double-check it, curse again – basically, it takes a lot longer.
Winner: Liquid Screed – Less time faffing and more time on the next job.
Drying Times
Liquid screed - Ready for foot traffic in 24 hours, fully set in 7 days, so says NHBC Standards, anyway.
Dry screed - 3-4 weeks before it’s fully cured – might as well take a holiday.
Winner: Liquid Screed – Because who has time to wait a month?
Underfloor Heating Efficiency
If you've installed underfloor heating, you know dry screed can trap air pockets. In heating terms, these pockets are as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Liquid screed - Hugs the heating pipes like a warm duvet. NHBC Standards states liquid screed ensures maximum heat transfer and even distribution.
Dry screed - Leaves small gaps, meaning heat takes longer to spread, and your energy bills take a hit. Well, that's what this UK Energy Efficiency Report says anyway.
Winner: Liquid Screed – Warms up faster, saves on energy, and means fewer cold feet in the morning.
Cost Considerations
We all know budget is king on any project. So, how do these two screeds stack up?
Liquid screed - Costs more per square metre but saves time on labour, so you make up for it.
Dry screed - Cheaper materials but labour-intensive, meaning you’re paying for more man-hours.
Winner: Liquid Screed (on bigger jobs) – Spend a little more on materials and save a lot more on time.
Okay, So When is Dry Screed the Better Option?
Now, before we all start pouring liquid screed everywhere, let’s be fair. Dry screed still has its uses.
- For minor repair jobs, where pouring an entire batch of liquid screed would be overkill.
- If the floor isn’t level and needs a gradual slope—liquid screed is too runny for that.
- When budget is the absolute priority and time is not a concern.
So, if you’re fixing up a tiny patch in a shop or need a custom gradient for drainage, dry screed still has a role to play.
Winner: Dry Screed – For small, niche jobs that don’t require speed or heat efficiency.
Is Liquid Screed Really Worth the Extra Cost?
Let’s put it this way: Would you rather spend a little more upfront or double your labour costs?
- Labour savings – Less time trowelling, more time on the next project
- Energy efficiency – Uses less energy in heated flooring (and it's backed by NHBC!)
- Minimal material wastage – Dry screed crumbles and cracks if mixed poorly
For a large-scale job, the savings on time and labour make liquid screed the better investment. Think we're fibbin'? Check out this UK Construction Cost Index for 2025.
Verdict: If you’re doing a big job indoors, liquid screed pays for itself.
UK-Specific Data & Regulations
Us builders love a good set of regulations (or at least knowing what not to get fined for), so here’s what the UK building industry says:
- BS EN 13813 - Liquid screed meets thermal conductivity standards better than dry screed.
- NHBC Standards 2025 - Liquid screed is recommended for heated floors to reduce energy loss.
- RICS Cost Report 2024 - Shows labour savings of up to 25% on liquid screed jobs compared to dry screed.
Basically, liquid screed isn’t just a trend—it’s backed by the big names in UK construction.
So Which Should You Choose?
Right, time to wrap this up. If you’re working indoors and want speed, durability, and efficiency, liquid screed is the clear winner as it . . .
- Installs faster – No faffing about with trowels
- Dries quicker – No waiting weeks to move onto the next stage
- Works brilliantly with underfloor heating – No heat-wasting air gaps
- Saves money on labour – Less hands-on work, more efficiency
However, dry screed still has a place for . . .
- Small patch jobs
- Uneven floors needing custom slopes
- Projects where budget is the only concern
Final Verdict? For any sizeable indoor job, liquid screed wins. Hands down.
Need Expert Advice?
Still not sure which screed is right for your project? No worries! Get in touch with our team at Wright Readymix for a no-obligation chat, or give us a call on 0117 958 2090, and we’ll help you figure out the best option for your job.