Old tiles, glue and plywood under Thatcham refits
Latex screed is a two part product. The powder is cement based; the second part is a latex liquid that takes the place of the water used with a standard compound. Mixed together they make a thin layer with a strong grip, which is why it is chosen for bases made up of a mixture of materials.
As those late twentieth century Thatcham kitchens and bathrooms come out, the floors underneath tend to fall into a few types. Downstairs there may be a concrete slab with patches of old ceramic or quarry tile still well stuck, plus the outline of glue where vinyl once sat. An upstairs bathroom is normally on a timber floor. In both cases the latex is there to give the new covering one smooth, consistent surface.
Timber needs particular care. Latex is never poured onto bare boards, because the joints open and close and the compound cracks along them. The floor is screwed down, firmed up and covered with flooring grade plywood, and the latex goes over the plywood once it has been primed.
Only 3% of Thatcham's homes were built before 1919, so floors here are less often a puzzle of centuries of repairs and more often a single layer of tired adhesive or tile from the original fit-out. A sound, even base of that kind suits latex well.
The finishes that justify it are the thin ones: sheet vinyl and LVT in a bathroom, safety flooring in a utility room, lino, rubber, and carpet that will wear evenly. For general flattening of a slab or screed, see floor levelling across Thatcham.
When latex is the wrong answer in Thatcham
Latex has clear limits, and a floor that breaks them needs another fix first.
If boards spring underfoot, overboarding will not stop the movement below, so the boards and joists are put right before anything else. If a ground floor reads damp, latex will not hold it back, and the cause has to be found and treated. If the floor falls well out of level across a room, a few millimetres of compound cannot lift it, and a repair or a fresh hand-laid screed comes first.
Garage conversions show the difference. The original garage slab usually sits lower than the house and has no insulation, so it needs a full build-up and screed, not latex. Latex may still finish that new screed if vinyl or LVT is going on top.
Homes built from 2000 to 2014 account for 14% of Thatcham's housing, and even these are reaching their first round of flooring changes. If such a floor has a calcium sulphate screed, the weak top skin has to be sanded away and a compatible primer applied before latex goes on. Where old adhesive is thick or patchy, grinding off the residue gives a clean start. Refits in the neighbouring town follow the same rules; see latex screed in Newbury.
How we price latex screed in Thatcham
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 Thatcham
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 Thatcham
As the crow flies, our yard in Slough is about 27.9 miles from Thatcham, which lies to the west-south-west. Postcodes here include RG19, and Newbury (2.8 miles), Tadley (5.7 miles), Basingstoke (11.9 miles) and Reading (12.8 miles) are close by.
More on latex screed, part of our screeding services.
