Cambridge is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. New neighbourhoods have sprung up on its edges, science and technology parks keep expanding, and its historic terraces and villages are constantly being extended and renovated. All of that building needs floors, and sand and cement screed is still the backbone of many of them.
Cambridge is about 57 miles from our Slough base, further than most of the areas we cover, so we take on projects in and around the city where the scale or the programme makes it worthwhile: new build plots and developments, larger extensions and renovations, and commercial floors. If you are not sure whether your project suits us, call and ask. We will give you a straight answer.
Where sand screed fits in Cambridge
A traditional sand and cement screed is a strong, reliable base for tiles, carpet, vinyl, laminate, engineered wood and commercial flooring. In and around Cambridge it suits:
- New build homes on the city's growth sites and in the surrounding villages.
- Extensions and renovations to period terraces and inter-war houses.
- Wet rooms, bathrooms and utility areas, where cement based screed is the right material.
- Commercial buildings, including offices, laboratories, retail and communal areas.
- Refurbishments where old, uneven or damaged subfloors must be replaced.
On floating floors over insulation, polypropylene fibres can be added through our fibre reinforced screed to control shrinkage cracking.
Screed and underfloor heating
Many Cambridge new builds and extensions include underfloor heating, frequently with heat pumps. The screed must fully encase the pipes to avoid air pockets and weak spots, with enough cover above them for strength and even heat. We compact sand and cement screed carefully around heating pipes, and for large open areas we can also discuss liquid screed. Our underfloor heating screed page explains depths and the heat-up.
Preparation and build-up
Most screed failures start below the screed. Before we lay sand screed in Cambridge we check that insulation boards, vapour barriers and damp proof membranes are secure, level and correctly lapped, and that edge strip is in place. We can install the full build-up ourselves through our insulation and membranes service, so every layer is compatible.
Levels and drying
Precise levelling makes the floor finish easier and better. We use datum levels, screed rails and straightedges to achieve a consistent surface, reducing the need for corrective levelling later and the risk of tile lippage or gaps under flooring.
Traditional screed needs time to dry before final floor finishes go down. We give realistic drying guidance based on the depth, ventilation and site conditions, so you can plan follow-on trades. Our guide on how long screed takes to dry covers moisture testing.
Renovation and repair
Older Cambridge properties often have uneven or damaged subfloors that must be corrected before new flooring. We remove defective areas, prepare the base and lay fresh screed, or carry out local screed repairs where the rest of the floor is sound.
Commercial projects
Offices, laboratories, retail units and residential developments around Cambridge need screeds laid to specification, over large areas and on programme. We work with main contractors and developers, and we supply risk assessments and method statements before we start. See our commercial screeding page for more.
Planning drying time on Cambridge new builds
On new build projects the screed is often laid in the colder months, inside buildings that are still wet from plastering and other trades. That combination can slow drying dramatically. We advise site teams on keeping the building ventilated and gently heated, using dehumidifiers where needed, and keeping stored materials off the new floor. We also recommend moisture testing before any vinyl, LVT or wood goes down, so flooring is laid at the right time rather than on a guess.
Why choose K & B Screeding in Cambridge
- Over ten years of experience laying screeds on projects of every size.
- Correctly mixed and compacted screed, following industry standards.
- A complete service covering preparation, insulation, membranes and screed.
- Honest advice about whether your project suits us.
- Fixed prices with no hidden fees.
Areas we cover around Cambridge
We work in Cambridge and the surrounding area, including Trumpington, Cherry Hinton, Chesterton, Histon, Impington, Great Shelford, Cambourne and the villages around the city. For projects further west, see our pages on Milton Keynes and Northampton.
Screeding prices in Cambridge
Published 2026 UK figures put sand and cement screed at about £18 to £25 per m² and liquid screed at about £24 to £31 per m², supplied and laid (MyJobQuote, August 2026). MyJobQuote does not say whether these figures include VAT. Depth, access and preparation move the figure either way, so your price is fixed in writing within 24 hours of hearing about the floor. See our floor screeding cost guide or the screed calculator.
