Need help: does screed flooding crack?

11 years ago

We are building and are thinking about screed concrete flooring throughout
1. Is screed concrete flooring likely to crack? The developer for our place is skeptical of screed flooring as he says it tends to crack however we re not sure whether he is just trying to warn us against the worst case. If it is likely to crack, does it crack after several years or can it crack shortly after I has been laid? Would underfloor heating make it more likely to crack? Our apartment is on the first floor - does this have any impact on whether or not it'll crack?
2. We live in Johannesburg, South Africa. Can anyone recommend a quality, reliable contractor to lay the screed flooring?
3. We are considering getting screed throughout, including the bedrooms? Is this advisable or should we carpet the bedrooms?
Thanks

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Comments (4)

Emily H
11 years ago
HI there, Have you made any decisions about the flooring yet?
ajlea85
Original Author
11 years ago
No decision as of yet, we still doing some investigation!
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PRO
ísARK Studio
11 years ago
I would recommend contacting several contractors and asking them your great questions.

After I quick search I found three seemingly reputable companies in your area.
http://www.capecontractors.co.za/cement_screed_flooring.php

There is also a lot of DIY advice for screed flooring so this may be a reason why your developer had heard bad things. Sometimes good DIY intentions gone wrong can tarnish the image of a product or technique.

Get a quote along with answers to your questions and compare your options from there.

This contractor in the UK also has a very good site seemed to answer some of your questions.
http://www.screedscientist.com/

Best of Luck,
Finn Sigurdsson
catharina1955
9 years ago
I have seen perfect screed flooring in Zini Estate , Mtunzini KZN South Africa. But then again I read lots of negative stuff on Google. Many people said it did not set and had to be redone over and over again. I also worry about the cracking and scratching. I can imagine with a new house that the new foundation sets properly only after a while and that there might be very slight movement of the foundation which can cause cracking. I also read that many of the people could not believe the costs involved. I don't know myself which way to go. There is no ways that I can afford a costly mistake. What I do now must last me for many years.