Page 77 - CFJ_Apr26

SECTOR FOCUS SUBFLOORS & SCREEDS

systems due to their ability to enhance By optimising the balance between
heat transfer, reduce material use and insulation and screed, flowing screed
improve installation efficiency. systems support compliance with
Thinner screeds, better heat transfer current regulations while helping
A key advantage of flowing screeds is future-proof buildings against further
their reduced installation thickness. tightening of standards.
When used with UFH systems, flowing Lower running temperatures, lower
screeds are typically installed at an energy demand
overall depth of around 40mm, providing Studies have shown that UFH systems
about 20mm of cover above the heating installed with flowing screeds can
pipes. In contrast, traditional sand and achieve the same room temperatures
cement screeds, as well as many self- while operating at thermostat settings
compacting concretes, are generally up to 5°C lower than those using
Flowing screeds are transforming laid at a minimum thickness of 75mm, thicker traditional screeds. This reduced
operating temperature is particularly
fl oor performance, unlocking equating to around 55mm of cover. beneficial for ASHP systems, which
This difference in depth has a direct
greater effi ciency from underfl oor impact on thermal performance. Flowing deliver their highest efficiencies at lower
heating and heat pump systems screeds fully encapsulate the heating flow temperatures.
in modern construction, says pipes, eliminating voids and ensuring The result is a floor heating system
Ben Bland consistent contact between the that responds faster, consumes less
pipework and the surrounding material. energy and delivers more consistent
comfort, without compromising
IMPROVING Heat is transferred more evenly and structural performance.
more efficiently into the floor surface,
At the same time, improved heat
EFFICIENCY FROM reducing warm-up times and improving transfer and reduced operating
THE GROUND UP system responsiveness. temperatures contribute to ongoing
With less screed material to heat, UFH
systems can operate more effectively, operational carbon savings throughout
the life of the building. When viewed
particularly when paired with low-
S the construction industry together, these benefits make flowing
Acontinues to respond to tightening temperature heat sources such as air screeds an increasingly attractive option
building regulations, rising energy costs source heat pumps. for projects targeting lower whole-life
and increasing pressure to reduce Supporting U-value compliance carbon impacts.
carbon, attention is turning to parts The ability to install screeds at a A smarter foundation
of the building fabric that can quietly reduced thickness also brings benefits As flooring systems continue to evolve,
deliver significant performance gains. at a whole-floor level. Achieving the role of the subfloor should not
One such area is the subfloor build-up, low U-values, such as 0.11 W/m2K, be overlooked. By improving thermal
specifically, the relationship between becomes more straightforward when performance, supporting regulatory
screed choice and underfloor heating screed depth can be reduced in favour of compliance, reducing carbon impact
(UFH) or air source heat pump (ASHP) increased insulation thickness within the and accelerating installation, flowing
systems. same floor build-up. screeds offer a smarter, more efficient
When designed correctly, the screed This flexibility is increasingly valuable foundation for modern buildings, proving
layer plays a critical role in both the on projects where floor zone depths that performance gains often start from
thermal efficiency and long-term are constrained, floors are retrofitted, the ground up. 
performance of a floor. In recent years, or where designers are seeking to www.flowingscreedsassociation.com
flowing screeds have increasingly been maximise thermal performance Ben Bland is director Flowing Screeds
specified alongside UFH and ASHP without increasing overall floor height. Association

www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk 77
@CFJMagazine CFJ April 2026