Wall screeding is essentially a process used to flatten and smoothen a wall surface. It's a crucial preparation step undertaken before applying paint, such as Emulsion, Oil, or Silk finishes. The primary goal of screeding is to create a perfectly level and smooth base that enhances the appearance and finish of the final paint layers.
Why is Wall Screeding Important?
Preparing your walls properly through screeding offers significant benefits:
- Smoother Finish: It eliminates imperfections like bumps, undulations, or patches, providing a perfectly smooth canvas.
- Enhanced Paint Appearance: A smooth surface allows paint to be applied evenly, maximising the quality and consistency of Emulsion, Oil, or Silk paint finishes, as highlighted in the reference.
- Improved Durability: A well-prepared surface can contribute to better paint adhesion and overall wall longevity.
- Reduced Paint Consumption: A smooth, non-porous surface often requires less paint for adequate coverage.
Materials Used for Wall Screeding
The materials needed for screeding can vary depending on whether the wall is internal or external. Based on the provided reference:
| Wall Type | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Internal | Screeding Paint, Bond, and Pop Cement |
| External | Black Cement and Pop Paint |
- Screeding Paint & Pop Paint: These are typically specific types of paint or coatings designed for this purpose, often providing body and adhesion.
- Bond: A bonding agent helps the screeding mixture adhere firmly to the wall surface.
- Pop Cement & Black Cement: These are types of cement used to create the actual screeding layer, providing the filling and leveling properties. Pop cement is often a fine-grade cement suitable for finishing.
The Screeding Process (General Steps)
While the reference doesn't detail the steps, a typical wall screeding process involves:
- Surface Preparation: Cleaning the wall to remove dust, dirt, and loose material.
- Mixing: Preparing the screeding mixture using the appropriate materials (as listed above for internal/external walls) according to specific ratios.
- Application: Applying the mixture onto the wall surface using tools like trowels or spatulas.
- Leveling & Smoothing: Using a straight edge or screed bar to flatten the mixture and then trowels to achieve a smooth finish.
- Curing & Drying: Allowing the screeded surface to dry and cure completely.
- Sanding: Lightly sanding the dried surface if necessary to remove any minor imperfections before priming or painting.
Performing wall screeding ensures that the surface is optimally prepared, leading to superior results for subsequent painting or finishing work.
