LKAB Minerals’ advanced screed proved to be a game changer for Britain’s housebuilders

House builders who are seeking to reduce carbon emissions and construct cost-effective homes need to look no further than LKAB Mineral’s Gypsol screed.

Gypsol screed has an advanced formulation, developed to deliver highly effective underfloor heating, and it’s proving to be a game-changer the construction industry. It has the potential to provide better value for money from every project, thanks to a smarter use of space and it has been around for many years – yet it is only recently that it has been recognised for its full potential.

Known as Gypsol Complete, it is unlike traditional cement-based screeds that can act like miniature storage heaters, this advanced formulation, featuring proven technology, conducts heat up to four times more efficiently than a cement screed, allowing for lower flow temperatures and up to 25% energy savings compared to more traditional radiator systems!

This translates to reduced operational costs for homeowners and a smaller carbon footprint for the building, but the benefits extend far beyond energy efficiency. By eliminating bulky radiators, the system frees up valuable living space, potentially allowing for an extra home on a development - maximising the return on investment and offering an added selling point for buyers.

Moreover, Gypsol Complete delivers faster drying times, when compared to concrete, further enhancing financial benefits for housebuilders! LKAB’s Gypsol screeds can be forced dried in just seven days. This innovative screed is a responsibly sourced cost-effective solution.

At the heart of the Gypsol Complete system is its unwavering commitment to optimised thermal performance, which prioritises underfloor heating (UFH) over traditional radiators. The screed effectively delivers faster response times, via superior thermal conductivity, ensuring rapid heat distribution and improved occupant comfort. Independent tests demonstrate a reaction time of 30 minutes!

What’s more, it seamlessly integrates with renewable heat sources such as air and ground source heat pumps, further enhancing its Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) credentials. Heat pumps extract renewable energy from the environment, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels and operating costs.

Gypsol Complete is more than just a screed – it is helping to deliver better homes across the country and is enabling the construction industry to meet new and more stringent building regulations. Gypsol Complete delivers advanced fire resistance, for example. First-floor builds in particular benefit from this level of fire safety due to its classification as a Class A1f non-combustible material. It can also be used as a replacement for traditional oversite concrete ground floor slabs in certain situations and on metal deck high rise flooring systems.

The screed is also helping homebuilders reduce their carbon footprint. The system incorporates recycled materials with a carbon footprint of just 1.13kg CO₂/m². This significantly reduces the embodied carbon within the building compared to traditional concrete screeds!

For the contractor, Gypsol Complete screeds offer a user-friendly installation process compared to traditional concrete screeds. They are typically delivered premixed and ready to use, eliminating the need for on-site mixing and reducing the risk of contamination. Additionally, Gypsol screeds can be installed over a wider range of subfloors, including timber, which can further simplify the installation process. Gypsol screeds are also compatible with a wide range of flooring materials, including tiles, wood and laminates.

The smooth surface of Gypsol screeds makes them ideal for receiving tiles, allowing for seamless transitions and a polished look. For wood or laminate flooring, Gypsol screeds can be sanded and coated to provide a stable and level surface for the new flooring material.

The screed can also be adapted to meet specific acoustic requirements through the incorporation of additional sound insulation layers, such as increased screed thickness, which provides a natural barrier to sound transmission.

To conclude, Gypsol Complete from LKAB Minerals has the potential for architects, contractors and house builders to future-proof designs to ensure compliance with evolving regulations, regarding insulation, energy efficiency, recycled materials and acoustics.