Latex screed in Hounslow's converted flats and refits
Latex screed takes its name from the liquid it is mixed with. The powder is cement based, but instead of water the installer adds a latex emulsion, and that gives the cured layer some flexibility and a stronger grip on difficult surfaces. It is laid thin, normally a few millimetres. It does not raise a floor or carry heating; it gives the covering above it something smooth and even to sit on.
Converted flats account for 7% of Hounslow's homes. A flat formed inside an older house often has timber floors, and once those boards are covered with screwed sheets of flooring grade plywood, latex is a sensible next layer before vinyl or LVT. The plywood joints, screw heads and slight steps between sheets all disappear under it.
Kitchens and bathrooms in houses go the same way. Pull up an old floor in a refit and there may be ceramic or quarry tiles underneath, a repaired strip of concrete and some leftover adhesive. If the tiles are solid and the glue is thin and hard, they can often stay. Each surface is cleaned and primed with a product that suits it, then the latex is mixed, poured and spread to an even skin.
We cover this work right across the borough, in Turnham Green, Gunnersbury, Lampton, Spring Grove, Hounslow West and Lower Feltham. Where the floor needs a broader levelling job before the covering, our floor levelling page for Hounslow explains the difference.
When latex is not enough on Hanworth Road
Latex has a narrow job, and asking it to do more ends badly. Three problems have to be solved before it goes down.
Damp. In the Victorian and Edwardian houses along Hanworth Road in Feltham, the ground floor frequently has no damp proof membrane. Latex will not stop moisture rising through them, and vinyl or rubber laid over a damp base traps it, so adhesives soften and the finish blisters. Testing comes first, and a damp floor needs rebuilding with a membrane and a new hand-laid screed.
Movement. Bare floorboards flex, and latex spread straight over them cracks at the board joints within weeks. The boards are screwed down and covered with flooring grade plywood first. If a floor still springs under foot after that, it needs a joiner to look at the joists.
Level. Latex is not built to fill big dips or correct a floor that falls across a room. Where a floor in an older house has sunk or broken up, it needs screed repairs in the affected area or a new screed, then latex if the finish calls for it.
Newer flats bring one more check. If the base is calcium sulphate screed, the laitance on its surface is sanded off and a compatible primer goes on before the latex.
How we price latex screed in Hounslow
A fixed written price within 24 hours, once we know the area and the base. See our floor screeding cost guide.
Who lays your latex screed in Hounslow
K & B Screeding’s own team, led by director Donatas Bardisevicius. Founded 2019, company 12298780.
See what customers say in our Google reviews and on our testimonials page.
Latex Screed from Slough to Hounslow
Hounslow is about 13.3 miles east-south-east of our Slough base as the crow flies, with postcodes including TW8, W4, TW14 and TW13. The nearest towns to it are Richmond upon Thames (2.5 miles), Ealing (3.5 miles), Sunbury-on-Thames (4.7 miles) and Ashford (5.5 miles).
More on latex screed, part of our screeding services.