Self-Levelling & Screed in Abu Dhabi Corniche

Six overlay types — six recommended self-levelling systems. The starred one is what we'd specify by default when nothing else in the brief constrains us.

Send us the overlay spec — we'll match the SL system to the cure schedule and the flatness target.

1. 01

   Site survey + substrate test

   Moisture, levels, condition. Drawing cross-check.

   ½ day

2. 02

   Edge banding + dams

   Threshold dams set the pour edges. Tape, foam.

   ½ day

3. 03

   Substrate primer

   Mapei Primer SN — coverage to TDS rate.

   Apply 2 hr · 24 hr cure

4. 04

   Pump-mix compound

   Continuous mixer, ¾" hose to the pour zone.

   Continuous

5. 05

   Gauge rake

   Spread to target thickness — uniform across the room.

   Continuous

6. 06

   Spiked roller

   De-aerates the slurry. Tracks every direction.

   Continuous

7. 07

   Cure to walk-on

   Per product — 2–24 hr depending on system.

   2 hr–1 day

8. 08

   Handover for next trade

   Flatness check, moisture re-test, IR signed off.

   ½ day

• Tile underlayment
• Vinyl underlayment
• Epoxy underlayment
• Microcement substrate
• Underfloor heating
• Industrial floors
• Renovation overlay
• Acoustic underlay

• Self-levelling vs traditional sand-cement screed?

  SL is pump-mixed, continuously poured, and reaches walk-on in hours — not days. Traditional sand-cement screed is hand-laid, cures over weeks, and almost always needs an SL skim on top before fine finishes. For most premium projects we lay traditional only as a bulk-fill structural base and finish with SL.

• How flat can you get?

  SR1 (< 2 mm deviation over 2 m) is achievable with Ultraplan. FF40+ on floor flatness rating. Anything tighter needs a specialist polished-concrete or precision floor team — we'd subcontract or call it out before quoting.

• Can you screed over a tiled floor?

  Sometimes — depends on bond. We do a pull test on the tile, prime aggressively, and only proceed if the tile is solidly bonded. Otherwise the tile comes off first. We never trap loose tile under a screed.

• What's the maximum thickness in one pour?

  Ultraplan: 10 mm in one pass. Ultraplan Maxi: 40 mm. Topcem: 50 mm. Above 50 mm we layer with intermediate cure, or use a structural screed system.

• How long until tile or vinyl can be laid?

  Walk-on at 2–4 hr for Ultraplan. Tile-ready at 12–24 hr. Vinyl-ready at 24–72 hr once moisture reads below the adhesive manufacturer's spec (typically < 75 % RH or < 4 % MC). We test before we sign off.

• Does it crack?

  Only with substrate movement. We install crack-arrest mesh on suspect substrates, prime aggressively, and respect day-joint locations. Hairline shrinkage cracks are routine and don't telegraph through tile or LVT.

• Can you pour around underfloor heating pipes?

  Yes — Mapei Topcem Pronto and Ultraplan Maxi both pour around UFH pipework. We coordinate with the MEP team on pipe layout, fix the pipes to spacers, and pump SL to embed them with cover to spec.

• Cost per square metre?

  Indicative ranges only — quoted after survey. Ultraplan skim 3–5 mm: AED 55–95 / m². Ultraplan Maxi 10–25 mm: AED 95–170 / m². Topcem structural 25–50 mm: AED 130–220 / m². Add 15–25 % for difficult access or night programmes.

• Epoxy Flooring

  Resin floor systems that depend on a flat, dry SL screed.

• Microtopping

  The 3 mm decorative overlay we pour above your Ultraplan.

• Large Format Tiling

  Big slabs telegraph every dip — SL is the precondition.