Is a reinforcement mesh or screed mesh needed in screed?

By Staenis | 27/05/2021

Is a reinforcement mesh or screed mesh needed in screed?

A screed or chape is a must-have for a solid floor. To prevent cracks in the screed, the chape is often reinforced with mesh reinforcement (also called a chapenet) or fibers. In which cases is a chapenet or fibers used in chape? And is it also a good idea, or is there a better way to reinforce a chape?

Why is a reinforcement mesh used in screed?

Anyone who wants to install a floor must also provide a screed or subfloor as an intermediate layer. This intermediate layer is placed on the load-bearing floor and serves as a smooth and even base for the floor finish. To reinforce the screed and prevent cracks, reinforcement is often added to the screed. Thanks to the reinforcement, there is less risk of shrinkage cracks and the screed can bear heavier loads, provided that expansion joints are included. The traditional way to reinforce screed is to place a reinforcement mesh (also called screed mesh) in the middle of the screed layer. Just like with reinforced concrete, the reinforcement mesh provides extra strength. Discover here how you can ensure a strong screed yourself, without having to use a screed mesh.

What are the disadvantages of a traditional screed with screed mesh?

A standard reinforcement mesh is designed to reinforce a screed without an insulation layer. Now that we are increasingly using thick insulation layers, this reinforcement causes all kinds of damage (cracks, loose joints, subsidence, etc.). This can be improved. With the handy StaenisGrid, you can easily install your sturdy screed yourself, with the grid serving as up-to-date reinforcement. In this way, a reinforcement mesh becomes unnecessary, resulting in a saving of 3 euros per square meter. But there is more. A traditional screed floor with reinforcement mesh or fibers can easily end up as much as 5 mm uneven in the corners, while a screed with StaenisGrid remains perfectly level. Thick insulation layers and larger tile formats are also no longer a problem. Discover all the technical advantages of the StaenisGrid.

Fiber reinforcement as an alternative to a screed mesh, a good idea?

You can also reinforce your screed with fiber reinforcement instead of using a screed mesh, right? That's correct, but then you need to choose fiber reinforcement with additives. With fiber reinforcement with additives, you can omit the screed mesh because the technical properties of the screed are adjusted. This makes your screed even harder and increases its load-bearing capacity. Ordinary fiber reinforcement, on the other hand, only reduces the risk of cracks and fissures during the first 28 days. After that, ordinary fiber reinforcement is no longer useful, not even as reinforcement. With ordinary fiber reinforcement, you still need a reinforcement mesh. Note: fiber reinforcement with additives is only supplied and installed by professional screed layers. This is usually for public spaces where the loads are very high, or when a thin screed of around 4 cm is sufficient.

Both a reinforcement mesh and fiber reinforcement with additives absorb the thermal stresses caused by underfloor heating and sunlight. Why choose to lay your screed with the StaenisGrid? Simple: the StaenisGrid divides the stresses into small sections of 0.25 m². As a result, there is never enough stress to create cracks or fissures in the floor finish. A crack- and fissure-free screed is guaranteed! But it doesn’t stop there. With a reinforcement mesh and fiber reinforcement with additives, you always have to take expansion joints into account. However, if you use the StaenisGrid, there are shrinkage joints every 50 cm, which together absorb much more shrinkage than traditional expansion joints, which are placed every 6 to 8 meters. Discover your ideal floor build-up and lay your screed with the StaenisGrid.

In which cases is reinforcement placed in the screed?

Reinforcement is not necessary with a bonded screed, or when a floor covering such as pavers is placed on your screed/stabilized sand. In all other cases (unbonded screed, floating screed, or a terrace that is being tiled), you must provide reinforcement to protect the floor finish against the shrinkage behavior and movements of the screed. Screed can be reinforced with screed mesh and/or fibers, but both options have their disadvantages. If you want to prevent damage to your floor, choose a convenient DIY system to install your screed: the StaenisGrid. Discover how it works.

How do you circumvent the disadvantages of a chapenet?

A traditional screed with screed nets will eventually become slightly raised, leading to various types of damage. Think of cracks, subsidence, and loose joints and tiles.

• Cracks and loose joints appear due to large shrinkage stresses in the screed in combination with the heating and cooling of the floor structure caused by weather conditions and underfloor heating.

• If you do not provide expansion joints in a normally reinforced screed, the screed will divide itself.

• When a normally reinforced screed deforms, a depression appears in the insulation layer. The screed becomes domed. This is called the dish-shaped deformation of the screed.

By installing your screed yourself with the StaenisGrid, you prevent these common flooring problems. The StaenisGrid divides the screed in such a way that the stresses are greatly reduced. The plastic screed grid is installed over the entire floor and remains in the floor. It serves as a reinforcement mesh, leveling system, and is an alternative to a decoupling mat. On the screed layer with the StaenisGrid, you can install various floor finishes. Think of ceramic tiles, natural stone, parquet, or a floating floor covering such as laminate. Use the floor build-up tool and discover the ideal floor build-up for your project. You will immediately learn how to install it yourself.

Why provide edge insulation and expansion joints?

Whoever installs screed must always provide edge strips along the walls. The edge insulation allows the screed to expand and contract without causing cracks. This also prevents thermal bridges and sound bridges between the floor and the wall. Even if you lay your screed with the StaenisGrid, you must provide edge insulation. Thanks to the StaenisGrid, shrinkage can occur per compartment. Once this is over, after about 28 days of drying, the edge insulation ensures that during the heating and cooling of the floor finish and screed, your screed can still move and is not trapped between the walls. The sections of the screed can expand and contract separately by compressing the edge insulation.

How do you achieve a strong screed? Usually, iron reinforcement meshes are used in a screed for strength. But if you lay your screed with the Staenis system, a screed mesh is not necessary. The grid provides a stress-free substrate and a lifelong beautiful and damage-free result. Learn more about your ideal floor build-up and easily order your materials online via the webshop.)