Can You Polish A Liquid Screed Floor?

Plain floor screeds have a rough, concrete appearance, which many consider to look messy and unfinished. That said, exposed concrete floors have grown in popularity, especially for modern and industrial-style properties, as well as warehouses and commercial buildings.

It’s highly recommended to use a floor finish to help minimise wear and tear, as most self-compacting concrete and anhydrite screed products are not designed to be left as the final flooring exposed to foot traffic. One of the ways you can finish the floor while retaining the concrete appeal is by polishing your liquid screed floor. This guide will help you understand how to achieve this sleek look.

Can You Polish Liquid Screed?

Liquid screeds can be polished, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. A polished floor effect will need a thin coating of epoxy or polish to create a durable, non-slip surface. Because floor screeds are made of natural materials and have varying formulations, the final colour cannot always be guaranteed.

If the screed is made of anhydrite, you will need to carry out  laitance removal  to remove the flaky surface layer that forms as it cures. Some screed applications are unsuitable for polishing, which we will explore below.

Method 1: Power Floating & Trowelling

Power floating is normally done to compact a floor screed, and is largely unnecessary for self-compacting concrete and anhydrite screeds. However, it can be used before the screed begins to cure to create a smoother finish. This can then be finished off with a mechanical trowel to create an effect similar to polishing.

This method can only be done when the liquid screed is still in an uncured state and must be done in an exact timeframe. A clear epoxy coating will help seal and protect the screed from foot traffic.

Method 2: Sanding and Polishing

In this method, a sander and buffer are used to smooth the surface layer. A matt or gloss finishing solution can then be applied to create the final floor surface. The level of smoothness and shine depends on how much you sand the substrate.

If your floor screed is very thin, old, or has strength issues, this method may be too risky as it removes the top layer of screed and could weaken it further.

Easyflow – Liquid Screed Experts in Stoke, Birmingham, Shrewsbury and The Midlands

To summarise, both anhydrite screed and self-compacting concrete screeds can be polished, but there are factors to consider before you commit to this as the floor finish.

Some screeds are not really designed to be polished, so it would be a good idea to look into covering these with linoleum or tiling to create a concrete aesthetic. This can be expensive, as polishing the screed itself will usually be the cheaper option.

At Easyflow, we carry a vast range of screed products tailored for specific uses. Looking to lay a screed suitable for polishing? Talk to us in a free consultation online or over the phone.