A cast floor in your apartment, what’s involved?
What all should you consider when installing a cast floor in a (new construction) apartment? An apartment places different demands on a floor than, say, a family home. We especially get questions about noise reduction, which is why we wrote an article about it.
Suitability of the subfloor
Before the screed is applied, it is important that the subfloor is suitable. For example, the subfloor must offer good adhesion and provide sufficient stability. Linoleum floors, floors made of sail, cork or wood do not offer this stability. If your apartment has such a floor, it is still possible to have a screed applied, but the existing floor will have to be removed or treated first.
If you have a concrete subfloor or an anhydrite or sand cement screed of sufficient quality, then you can have your screed applied immediately.
Something else to keep in mind is that the subfloor must be clean and dust-free before application. Also remember to thoroughly wipe down the window frames and window sills beforehand, this will prevent dust particles from getting into the screed.
Noise reduction
In an apartment you have to deal with noise standards, the current noise requirements are set at 10 dB. The acoustic variants of our EPI Superbase screed provide a noise reduction of up to 20 dB. Furthermore, they can achieve unprecedented static crack bridging of more than 2.5 mm. A unique combination! These variants contain the EPI Membrane.
Maintain a generous schedule
It is wise to plan well into having your screed installed. This starts with the laying of any other subfloor. For example, the subfloor must be thoroughly dry by the time the screed is applied over it, or else blisters may appear in the screed. The application of the screed itself must be planned well, as it takes up to five days. This is because the floor is composed of several layers that need to dry for a while before the next layer is applied. Afterwards, the floor needs to cure for another two days. If you choose a floor with underfloor heating, take into account the heating protocol. This means that before the cast floor is laid, the underfloor heating is started up slowly the first time to prevent cracking in the screed.
Design
Appearance is perhaps the most important reason why you choose a cast floor. Poured floors are available in a variety of types and colors. For example, you can choose from solid and blend colors. A solid color consists of one solid color for a sleek look. A blend color is a mix of two colors for a natural touch. What you choose depends on your interior and personal taste, but whether you go for natural or sleek, there is always a cast floor that suits your needs.
Need inspiration? Then take a look at our reference cases