Latex for refits in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade homes
Latex screed is a levelling compound made from two parts: a cement based powder and a latex liquid that takes the place of water. Spread a few millimetres thick, it forms a smooth, well bonded skin over a base that is sound but rough. It is the layer sheet vinyl, LVT, safety flooring and rubber need, because each of those thin finishes copies the shape of the floor beneath it.
The bases vary from room to room in a typical refit. Upstairs, timber boards are fixed down and covered with flooring grade plywood, and the latex goes over the plywood rather than onto the boards themselves. In a kitchen, firmly bonded quarry or ceramic tiles can usually stay, once any hollow ones are lifted, the surface is degreased and a tile primer goes on. On a concrete ground floor, an uneven but solid surface just needs cleaning and priming first.
Flats in converted buildings make up 2% of the town's homes. Where an upper floor in one is timber, the same rule applies: a rigid, overboarded deck first, then the latex.
Old adhesive left behind after vinyl is lifted is judged case by case. A thin, hard film can be primed and covered; thick or soft glue comes off first, which is where diamond grinding the old glue helps.
For deeper levelling, general compounds and the flatness classes, our Leighton Buzzard floor levelling page goes further.
Older High Street buildings and when latex will not work
The listed buildings lining the High Street raise a separate question. In historic property the original fabric comes first, and a bonded compound is hard to take up later without harming whatever lies beneath. Any consent needed should be settled before latex covers an old floor there. Floor preparation for older buildings starts with agreeing what stays.
Elsewhere in the town, the limits are practical rather than legal.
Latex does not cure damp. If moisture is coming up through an old slab, the compound will fail along with the floor covering, so a damp reading is taken first. A failed damp proof layer means a new floor, not a skim.
Latex does not stiffen a floor. Springy boards must be fixed and overboarded, or they will crack it.
Latex does not straighten a floor that is badly out of level. Low areas need a repair to the screed or a new screed before the thin coat goes on.
Where a floor is calcium sulphate screed, including some flowing screeds in newer homes, the laitance is removed and the surface primed before latex is laid. For the same service in a neighbouring town, see latex screed in Aylesbury.
How we price latex screed in Leighton Buzzard
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 Leighton Buzzard
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 Leighton Buzzard
Leighton Buzzard is about 26.6 miles north of our Slough base as the crow flies, with postcodes including LU7. The nearest towns to it are Houghton Regis (6.1 miles), Dunstable (6.2 miles), Bletchley (6.2 miles) and Tring (8.5 miles).
More on latex screed, part of our screeding services.