Fibre screed is a sand and cement screed which has been modified with polypropylene fibres. These fibres increase the strength of the mix and can enable the screed to cure faster. This enables floors to be laid more quickly and can help improve the thermal properties of a floor when used with underfloor heating.
Traditionally, steel wire fabric was used to reinforce screeds but this had several drawbacks. It is heavy, susceptible to corrosion and could potentially be a hazard for builders, causing injury or damage to equipment as they try to unroll it from its bag. Also, metal wire can interfere with electrical elements, which could lead to a short circuit in warm floors. This is why fibre has been introduced as an alternative.
Exploring the Versatility of Fibre Screed in Construction
The main advantage of fibre screed is its enhanced strength, which enables it to better resist cracking and shrinkage. This is because polypropylene fibres distribute strain and weight more evenly than steel reinforcement. This allows the floor to cope with increased traffic and reduces the risk of cracking over time.
Another advantage is that it typically dries more rapidly than traditional sand and cement screeds, which means that the floor finish can be laid more quickly. This can help reduce the overall construction times on a project and can make a real difference to contractors working to deadlines. It is also incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of different projects, including bonded, unbonded and floating floors as well as underfloor heating systems.