Latex floor levelling and smoothing compounds
Latex and cementitious self-levelling compounds applied over sound screed and concrete to prepare commercial floors for their finish. Products, thickness and preparation are selected against the substrate, the floor finish and the manufacturer's data. Based in Buckinghamshire, serving London, the Home Counties and selected locations across southern and eastern England, subject to postcode, access and programme.
A smoothing layer, not a structural screed.
Latex levelling is a common trade term for flowable smoothing compounds, some latex-modified, used to remove minor irregularities before resilient, textile or wood finishes. It is distinct from the screed that forms the floor build-up.
Latex / smoothing compound
Thin surface layerApplied over a sound, dry base to give a smooth, regular surface for a specified floor finish. Thickness range is product-specific.
Liquid (flowing) screed
Floor build-up layerPumped calcium sulphate or cement-based screed forming the levelling layer itself, often over insulation or underfloor heating.
Sand and cement screed
Floor build-up layerTraditional semi-dry screed laid bonded, unbonded or floating, suited to falls, varying depths and robust commercial bases.
Compare liquid screed and sand and cement screed where the floor needs a new levelling layer rather than surface smoothing.
What decides the specification.
Every enquiry is reviewed against these points. Priming, bonding, DPM and repair work are not assumed to be included; they are confirmed in the quotation scope.
Substrate
Concrete, sand and cement screed, calcium sulphate screed or an existing floor — each has different preparation and priming requirements under the product system.
Soundness and contamination
Laitance, weak surface, old adhesive, paint, oils and debonded material are assessed; a smoothing compound is not a repair for a failing base.
Moisture
Base moisture is checked against the compound and finish limits. Elevated readings may need drying time or a surface DPM, decided per project.
Depth and regularity
Existing level differences decide whether a smoothing compound, a deep-fill product or a screed is appropriate. See our screed depth and BS 8204 guides.
Floor finish
Vinyl, LVT, safety flooring, carpet tile and timber each set their own surface and readiness requirements; the compound is chosen to suit them.
Programme and conditions
Temperature, ventilation, access, phasing and other trades affect curing, overlay times and when areas can be handed over.
Related guidance: screed moisture testing, screed preparation before floor finishes, BS 8204 and surface regularity and screed drying times.
What to send with a commercial enquiry.
- Site postcode, floor areas and levels, and whether areas are phased.
- Substrate type and age, and any known moisture readings.
- Specified compound or system, if named, and the intended floor finish.
- Required thickness or tolerance, drawings, BoQ and programme, where available.
Only name, email, postcode and a short description are required. Drawings are optional on the quote request form. See also commercial screeding and support for main contractors.
Latex floor levelling questions.
Is latex floor levelling the same as liquid screed?
No. A latex or cementitious smoothing compound is a thin surface layer applied over a sound, dry base to give a smooth, regular surface for the floor finish. A liquid (flowing) screed is a thicker layer laid to form the floor build-up itself. Where a floor needs significant depth, falls correction or a new levelling layer, a screed is usually the appropriate system rather than a smoothing compound.
How thick can a latex levelling compound be laid?
It depends on the product. Smoothing compounds are typically laid from a few millimetres, and some deep-fill products allow thicker application in one or more lifts. The minimum and maximum thickness, number of lifts and any aggregate addition come from the manufacturer's data sheet for the product actually specified, not a general figure.
Is priming included?
Not as a standard assumption. Whether the substrate needs a primer, bonding agent, surface DPM or mechanical preparation depends on the base, its moisture condition and the compound and finish system. Those items are confirmed per enquiry and set out in the quotation scope.
How long before flooring can be laid?
Drying and overlay times vary by product, thickness, temperature, humidity and the moisture condition of the base below. Some products allow early foot traffic, but readiness for vinyl, LVT, carpet or timber is set by the compound and floor-finish manufacturers. We do not publish a fixed drying time.
Can it go over an existing floor?
Sometimes. Existing screed, concrete and some other backgrounds can be suitable after assessment of soundness, contamination, old adhesive residues, cracks and moisture. Weak or debonding material has to be dealt with first; a smoothing compound does not repair a failing substrate.
Do you take residential latex levelling enquiries?
The service is focused on commercial and fit-out work. Residential enquiries can be sent through the same quote form and are reviewed for viability against area, access, location and programme.
Tell us what the project needs.
Send a short description of the floor and the site postcode — area, timing and drawings are optional. Or email quotes@screeding.com. Every request is reviewed before a quotation is issued.