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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

WHY YOU CAN’T AFFORD

FLOORING TO BE AN

AFTERTHOUGHT

Selecting the right screed can save time, reduce costs,
and improve sustainability in construction says BEN BLAND

ETWEEN April 2025 and June 2025 so it is important to be removed, or it can Different screeds can impact design
Bonly 7,000 housing applications were cause issues with drying and adhesion. because of their aspect ratio; those with
granted planning permission, which is the Architects and their contractor partners a greater aspect ratio mean fewer joints
lowest three-month figure since 1979. don’t need to stick to the same screed are needed to prevent the screed from
This process is only likely to become more they’ve always chosen, which often lack cracking. Therefore, architects who opt for
strained; a recent report from the Royal qualities to suit their needs. For example, the screeds with greater aspect ratios will
Town Planning Institute shows two-thirds there are anhydrite-based screeds have the option to build bigger bays and
of public planning teams already lack formulated from a by-product called benefit from a design boost that comes
the capacity to meet demand and 20% calcium sulphate that don’t produce any with expansive unobstructed floor space.
of planners say they intend to leave the laitance after they are poured, thereby Those design and efficiency
profession by 2028. removing the stage of sanding laitance considerations should be fundamental,
Given these longer timelines, and subsequently cutting costs by 66% but construction projects aren’t all about
developers, architects and contractors compared to other anhydrite-based looks and money. Research released
will be looking for ways to speed up the screeds, according to findings from this summer by the Property Research
project process. LKAB Minerals’ pilot tests. Although it Trust shows developers increasingly
One area with room for improvement is important screeds are still sanded to going above and beyond the basic
is flooring, which is often overlooked, create a bond with the final floor finish. environmental requirements through
but provides an opportunity to achieve However, that still leaves overall savings, voluntary commitments such as BREEAM.
significant cost savings, as well as which can be especially significant for an Selecting a sustainable screed
design improvements and a reduced office block or apartment building where It is difficult for project stakeholders to
environmental impact. there is a lot of floor space to factor in. reduce their environmental impact for
No patience for laitance Flaw-free floors floor screeds on the market that are
The screeding stage is an essential part of When it comes to floor space, JPMorgan’s cementitious, and the cement production
the floor-laying process in commercial and proposed 3 million-square-feet-plus process contributes to 8% of global CO2
residential projects, and traditionally, this office in Canary Wharf would take the lead emissions. The alternative anhydrite-
will be a sand and cement-based version. and is more than double the floor space based versions can carry 88% fewer
Some screeds available on the market of London’s Shard tower. The potential carbon emissions than cementitious
generate laitance, which is a build-up saving from a laitance-free screed across versions, helping project stakeholders
of fine particles on the surface of fresh such an expansive area would inevitably meet their environmental commitments.
screed that has a milky appearance. be substantial, but it also raises another Those obligations are becoming more
It’s caused by an upward movement of important early-stage consideration for stringent in the UK, with the Future
water and causes the surface to be fragile, flooring. Homes Standard mandating that new 

www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk 25
@CFJMagazine CFJ February 2026