Cement Screed Flooring: Pros, Cons, and Whether It’s Really Worth It

To use or not to use, that is the question.

Whether you’re one who likes a clean, minimalist look, or a gritty, industrial one, cement screed is definitely a viable option for your flooring. It looks great, feels great, and adds a layer of texture and depth to an already-gorgeous home.

But is cement screed flooring really all it’s cracked up to be? Here, we take a deeper look at its advantages and disadvantages, and tell you whether it’s really worth getting.

But first, what exactly is cement screed flooring?

If you’re thinking “duh, cement screed is just cement”, you’d be partially correct. Cement screed flooring is essentially a thin layer of material – which usually consists of cement, sharp sand, and occasionally coarse aggregates like rock and gravel – laid on top of a concrete subfloor.

Cement, by itself, is simply a binding material that is used to make concrete.

The pros and cons of cement screed

The benefits

There’s a reason why homeowners are using cement screed flooring, with the main reason being the overall seamlessness of the look. In fact, it was this that convinced the homeowners of this condo in Bedok to use cement screed flooring in their bedrooms.

Another reason is the raw, gritty look it creates, which makes it a hot favourite in industrial or brutalist-style homes. That’s precisely why Bryson and his wife – the owners of this unique Japanese-industrial home – chose to use cement screed on both their walls and floors.

Other advantages of cement screed are as follows:

• It levels out your floor to create a more even surface
• It’s easy to clean, as there are no grout lines.
• It comes in a variety of different colours, like brown and beige

The downsides

On the flipside, there are certain factors about cement screed that give homeowners pause. One of those things? The cost, according to homeowners of this 5-room flat in Tiong Bahru

“We almost went with cement screed flooring because we liked the textured look,” they said about. “But it was way too costly – because you also have to make sure it’s sealed properly with a good protective coating. In the end, we went with laminate flooring – which is more affordable, but still has that texture we wanted.”

Another huge turn-off for homeowners is the potential cracks and breaks that can pop up – which was a lesson that Nasz and Ely (@chippihomu) learnt from in their very first home.

“The cracks in our flooring were huge,” they said. “It was pretty unsightly, and it also wasn’t very hygienic because it trapped a lot of dust. Because of that, and knowing that cracking will be inevitable, we decided not to go with it again after we moved into our second home.”

They also added that cement screed flooring was also not a practical long-term choice, as it can lead to mould and fungus growth if not sealed properly.

And these aren’t the only downsides to using cement screed flooring:

• It can be slippery, especially when wet – not ideal for households with elderly or mobility-challenged persons
• Repairs can be a hassle, as you’ll need to apply the cement screed across the entire floor and not just the specific part that needs fixing
• It’s porous – meaning, it will absorb any liquid that is spilled on it.

So, is cement screed worth it or not?

As boring as this answer may be, it ultimately depends on your preferences – but to make your decision a little easier, here’s who should (or shouldn’t) use cement screed flooring:

Either way, you might also want to consider microcement – a similar-looking material that was formulated to be a more durable version of cement screed.

Explore: Using Microcement in a Renovation: 5 Things You Should Know

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