Screed types · checked 29 October 2026
Cement-based liquid screed
A flowing screed on a cement binder: two Irish-available products' figures side by side, and what they mean for your floor.
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Figures checked against each source on 29 October 2026. How we check
A cement-based liquid screed flows and self-levels like a calcium sulphate screed, but the binder is cement. That changes what happens at the end: Cemfloor says its screed works with cement-based adhesives and doesn't need sanding to remove laitance.
Roadstone's FlowPlus, developed with Knopp Chemie of the ARDEX Group, goes down from 45 mm floating in a house and 25 mm over heating pipes. Cemfloor Complete goes from 35 mm floating.
Screed planner
Plan your screed
Put in your floor and the day it's laid. You get the volume, the weight, when it should be dry enough for floor finishes, and when the heating can go on, from the makers' own figures.
Drying times are for good conditions, closed up and ventilated. The floor is tested before finishes go down, not guessed. None of the Irish screeding contractors' sites we checked publish a price per m², so the price comes from your floor.
Two products, side by side
| Data sheet figure | Roadstone FlowPlus | Cemfloor Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Strength class | CT-C20-F4 | C25 F5 |
| Floating, domestic | 45 mm | 35 mm |
| Floating, commercial | 60 mm | 40 mm |
| Unbonded | 60 mm on slip membrane | 30 mm |
| Bonded | – | 20 mm |
| Over heating pipes | 25 mm cover, 50 mm total (domestic) | 25 mm above pipes |
| Max bay, heated | 40 m² | 100 m² |
| Max bay, unheated | 80 m² | 150 m² |
| Foot traffic | 24–48 hours | 24–48 hours |
| Underfloor heating on | From 14 days, max 45°C | – |
Sources: Roadstone FlowPlus cement liquid screed brochure (RS.BRO-19 Rev 01, March 2022); Cemfloor Complete technical data sheet (2023). Checked 29 October 2026.
The two sets of figures differ, which is why your contractor should work to the data sheet of the screed they're actually pumping. Roadstone also caps FlowPlus at a recommended 80 mm: deeper than that slows drying.
- Floor finish Tiles, timber or vinyl once the screed is dry.
- Cement-based liquid screed Flows round the pipes and self-levels.
- Polythene or slip membrane Between screed and insulation.
- Insulation Rigid boards.
- Slab With a damp-proof membrane below on a ground floor.
Why choose a cement binder
- Cement adhesives. Cemfloor says its screed is compatible with all floor coverings and all cementitious adhesives, including fast-track systems.
- No laitance sanding. Cemfloor says its screed won't need sanding to remove laitance, though a light clean of the surface is still advised. Roadstone recommends lightly abrading FlowPlus to remove residue and contamination.
- Curing. Roadstone says FlowPlus needs no additional curing, and Cemfloor needs no curing spray in a sealed, weathertight building.
- Wet areas. Cemfloor lists its screed as suitable for wet areas.
Sources: Cemfloor Complete technical data sheet (2023); Roadstone FlowPlus cement liquid screed brochure (RS.BRO-19 Rev 01, March 2022). Checked 29 October 2026.
What it can't do
- Falls: Roadstone says FlowPlus can't be laid to falls.
- Wear: FlowPlus is a non-structural, non-wearing screed. It needs a floor finish on top.
- Cold or heat: Roadstone says it should only be laid with the air inside between 5°C and 20°C.
Source: Roadstone FlowPlus cement liquid screed brochure (RS.BRO-19 Rev 01, March 2022). Checked 29 October 2026.
On the day and after
- Weatherproof first.Roadstone says the building should be weatherproof before screeding starts, with a damp-proof membrane below the screed on a ground floor.
- Edges and joints.An edge strip at every wall and column. Bays under 80 m² unheated and under 40 m² heated, no more than 8 m long, with joints between separately controlled heating circuits.
- Close it up for 7 days.Keep windows and doors closed for the first 7 days, and the air above 5°C in cold weather.
- Then ventilate.After 7 days, open windows and doors from time to time to let moisture out, without draughts tunnelling through the building.
- Heat-up from day 14.Roadstone says underfloor heating can be commissioned 14 days after laying, with the water no hotter than 45°C, and the screed must go through this heat cycle before floor finishes.
Source: Roadstone FlowPlus cement liquid screed brochure (RS.BRO-19 Rev 01, March 2022). Checked 29 October 2026.
Drying time
Roadstone gives about one day per mm for the first 40 mm and two days per mm after that, and asks for less than 75% RH (about 2% by the carbide method) before moisture-sensitive floors such as wood or vinyl. A 50 mm FlowPlus floor works out at about 60 days on that rule.
Source: Roadstone FlowPlus cement liquid screed brochure (RS.BRO-19 Rev 01, March 2022). Checked 29 October 2026.
Questions people ask
What is cement-based liquid screed?
A flowing, self-levelling screed made with a cement binder instead of calcium sulphate. Roadstone FlowPlus and Cemfloor Complete are two examples.
How thin can cement liquid screed go over underfloor heating?
Roadstone gives 25 mm of cover over the pipes and 50 mm total depth for FlowPlus in a house. Cemfloor gives 25 mm above the pipes.
Does cement-based liquid screed need sanding?
Cemfloor says its screed won't need sanding to remove laitance, though the surface should be lightly cleaned. Roadstone recommends lightly abrading FlowPlus before floor finishes.
When can the underfloor heating go on?
Roadstone says 14 days after the FlowPlus screed is laid, with the water no hotter than 45°C during the heat cycle.
Sources (2)
Prices and facts on this page were checked against these published pages. We are not connected to these businesses.
- Roadstone FlowPlus cement liquid screed brochure: roadstone.ie
- Cemfloor Complete technical data sheet: cdn.shopify.com
Get your floor priced
Four taps about the job and one screeding contractor who covers your county rings you. Or call 087 162 1846, lines open 8am to 8pm.