- Floor screeding in Cape Town to level floors, correct heights and form falls before tiling.
- A screed is preparation, not a finish. It gives tiles a flat, sound base.
- Screeds need drying time, so plan it into the programme.
Send the floor area and the problem and compare screeding quotes in Cape Town.
Compare QuotesWhen a Floor Needs Screeding
- The slab is uneven, with dips and humps that adhesive cannot correct.
- Floor heights differ between rooms.
- A shower, wet room or balcony needs falls to a drain.
- Old screed broke up during tile removal.
- Underfloor heating pipes or cables need covering.
Screed Types
| Type | Good for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sand-cement screed | Building up levels, forming falls | Long drying time |
| Self-levelling compound | Thin corrections on a sound base | Quick, very flat, needs priming |
| Rapid-drying screed | Tight programmes | Costs more |
| High-strength screed | Commercial and heavy traffic | Specified for the load |
Bonded or Unbonded
A bonded screed is stuck to the slab with a primer or slurry and can be thinner. An unbonded or floating screed sits on a membrane or insulation and must be thicker. The contractor should say which and how thick.
Forming Falls
Showers, wet rooms and balconies need the screed to slope to the drain or edge, so water does not pond under or on the tiles. Falls are set before waterproofing goes on.
Drying Before Tiling
- Sand-cement screeds take weeks to dry, depending on thickness and weather.
- Tiling too early can cause debonding and cracking.
- Ask how the contractor will check moisture before tiling.
- Rapid-drying products shorten the wait.
Floor Screeding Prices
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Sand-cement screed, per m² | R80 - R150 |
| Self-levelling screed, per m² | R120 - R350 |
| High-strength industrial screed, per m² | R300 - R600 |
| Priming or slurry coat, per m² | R25 - R50 |
| Levelling as a separate job, per m² | R350 - R550 |
Ballpark figures, not quotations. Indicative 2026 ranges, rounded, from published South African tiling cost guides, checked October 2026. Most sources are national or Gauteng-based, so Cape Town quotes can differ. Sources do not always say whether VAT is included, so confirm VAT on every quote. Sources and what each range includes are listed on Tiling Prices Cape Town.
Ranges differ between sources mainly because of thickness and whether removal and preparation are included.
Get prices for your actual job rather than a range. Free, with no obligation to appoint anyone.
Compare QuotesWhat Affects Your Quote
- Area and average thickness.
- Screed type and drying time.
- Falls and drains.
- Removal of old finishes and preparation.
- Access for materials.
Screeding is usually followed by floor tiling. Compare quotes through Tiling Cape Town.
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should a screed be?
It depends on type and whether it is bonded. Bonded screeds can be thinner. Floating screeds over insulation must be thicker. Ask for the thickness in writing.
Can I use a self-levelling compound instead of a screed?
For small corrections on a sound base, yes. For large height changes or falls, a sand-cement screed is usually used.
Why is my screed cracking?
Common causes are drying too fast, missing joints or a weak mix. Small shrinkage cracks may be treated. Hollow screed must be repaired before tiling.
How long before I can tile?
Sand-cement screeds take weeks, rapid systems much less. Moisture should be checked first.
Related Services
Tiling Cape Town is a free quote-comparison service. Tiling work is assessed, quoted and carried out by independent tiling contractors, and your agreement is with the contractor you appoint. Ask each one for a written, itemised quote, what is and is not included, any guarantee and the payment terms before paying anything.
Floor Screeding Cape Town. Describe your floor once and compare screeding quotes.
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