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Self-leveling compound or concrete or...
I am considering installing water-based underfloor heating and tiles in my bathroom. What are the actual advantages of using self-leveling compound compared to regular concrete? It's easier to get it even as it flows out and dries in a few days, but apart from that?
The bathroom is about 10 square meters, and with underfloor heating and reinforcement, the layer thickness will be around 5-6 cm, which means quite a few thousands for the compound plus a rather stressful job mixing and spreading everything. Additionally, I've never self-leveled such a large area with a slope before, so the risk of failing with the compound for 10,000:- and having to be embarrassed in front of the whole forum keeps me up at night already...
So, the question is; Are there any disadvantages to casting with regular concrete and leveling with a straightedge and trowel like they did in the old days?
The bathroom is about 10 square meters, and with underfloor heating and reinforcement, the layer thickness will be around 5-6 cm, which means quite a few thousands for the compound plus a rather stressful job mixing and spreading everything. Additionally, I've never self-leveled such a large area with a slope before, so the risk of failing with the compound for 10,000:- and having to be embarrassed in front of the whole forum keeps me up at night already...
So, the question is; Are there any disadvantages to casting with regular concrete and leveling with a straightedge and trowel like they did in the old days?
I got reprimanded here in the forum when I wanted concrete, but it was about 30mm, not 50-60.
(So now I'll try with self-leveling compound.)
I wanted it as a surface finish as well, and you want tiles.
Off the cuff, I definitely think it should work well and be cheaper.
But who am I to have an opinion, there are people here who actually know something
(So now I'll try with self-leveling compound.)
I wanted it as a surface finish as well, and you want tiles.
Off the cuff, I definitely think it should work well and be cheaper.
But who am I to have an opinion, there are people here who actually know something
Of course, you can use concrete at that thickness, but reinforcement might be sensible as you mention, and I'm not talking about reinforcement the thickness of chicken wire. That applies to self-leveling compound too, but then you can use a fiber compound.
Self-leveling compound is used specifically to get a finished smooth surface, which isn't as easy with concrete. A bathroom usually has one or several slopes, and in that case, self-leveling compound is often preferred. You don't have to level everything at once; it can be divided over several pourings.
Self-leveling compound is used specifically to get a finished smooth surface, which isn't as easy with concrete. A bathroom usually has one or several slopes, and in that case, self-leveling compound is often preferred. You don't have to level everything at once; it can be divided over several pourings.
The drying time is quite long even for floor leveling compound at thicker layers. The numbers on the bags should be taken with a grain of salt.7ender said:
Expect 1 week +2 days/mm for thicknesses of 40-60mm.
https://vpp.sbuf.se/Public/Documents/ProjectDocuments/74276456-b978-4e3c-bf17-c6de0398f7fe/FinalReport/SBUF 11427 Slutrapport_Fuktsäkerhet vid limning på lågalkalisk avjämning.pdf
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