Knauf: dry floor screed. Material characteristics

Types of floor organization from Knauf

Knauf offers two options for floor organization:

This prefabricated base can be used in residential, office, and administrative spaces. It is advisable to use this technology in rooms with low or moderate traffic intensity and mechanical impacts on the floor.

Figure 1 — Prefabricated floor base made of moisture-resistant small-format KNAUF superboards: 1 - superboard; 2 − mastics; 3 − waterproofing; 6 − edge tape; 7 − dry filling

The OP 135 prefabricated base is used to create a perfectly flat foundation. OP 135 also improves thermal and acoustic insulation properties of the floor. After laying this prefabricated floor base, any type of flooring can be installed on top — parquet, tiles, linoleum, etc.

The minimum thickness of the structure is 35 mm.

IMPORTANT! If the floor area exceeds 100 m², the manufacturer recommends laying an additional layer of KSLV: approximately 10 mm under materials for prefabricated screed.

To organize a floor using OP 135, you will need:

• Small-format KNAUF superboard (or GVLV);
• adhesive mastics;
• polyethylene sheeting;
• screws for superboard (from the manufacturer);
• edge tape;
• dry filling “Kompevit”;
• KNAUF Therm Flor moisture-resistant thermal insulation board.

The quantities of listed materials are provided in the table below.

Figure 2 — Material consumption for floor installation using KNAUF technology

This prefabricated base can also be used in residential, office, and administrative spaces under moderate or low mechanical impact.

Just like the floor organized from small-format boards, KNAUF superfloor can be covered with any finishing material: tiles, laminate, linoleum, etc. Additionally, a “warm floor” system can be installed on top of KNAUF superfloor.

Figure 3 — KNAUF superfloor: prefabricated base made of floor elements: 1 - superboard; 2 − mastics; 3 − waterproofing; 6 − edge tape; 7 − dry filling

Material consumption for floor installation using KNAUF technology — in the table below.

Figure 4 — Material consumption for floor installation using KNAUF technology

The only difference between these two technologies is the size of the superboard. As seen from the first table, two superboards are required per square meter, whereas in the second case only one is needed.

Installing floor using small-format superboards is more convenient for work in small rooms or rooms of irregular shape, allowing quick contour adjustment. Installation of both types of floor is performed in a similar manner.

KNAUF dry screed: VIDEO

KNAUF floor installation: materials

KNAUF floor elements are glued gypsum fiber boards with mutual offset in two perpendicular directions. The thickness of the floor element does not exceed 20 mm.

Installation process:

Mark the floor surface.

Lay polyethylene sheeting to ensure waterproofing.

Install edge tape along the perimeter of the room.

Lay and level the dry filling KNAUF leveling layer.

Proceed to installation of the prefabricated floor base (dry screed).

Figure 5 — Technical specifications of KNAUF superboards

When performing works yourself rather than hiring professionals, the manufacturer recommends:

• Allow floor elements to acclimatize in the room;
• Store floor elements horizontally before and during installation;
• The prefabricated base should not have any slopes after installation;
• For dry screed installation in bathrooms and other rooms with elevated humidity levels, a waterproofing tape must be laid at the floor-wall joints (the manufacturer recommends using KNAUF-Flexhdtband tape), and the floor surface must be covered with a waterproofing layer KNAUF-Flexhd.

Figure 6 — Fire safety characteristics of KNAUF superboards

IMPORTANT! If your floor covering is an elastic thin material, cover the floor base with self-leveling compound (KNAUF-Boden 15 or Nivellierspachtel 415) at least 2 mm thick.

Kompevit is a dry keramzite sand of various granulation.

The advantages of this material include hiding utilities and increasing thermal and acoustic insulation of the floor base.

Drawbacks of this technology (e.g., walking on the floor) usually do not stem from material defects but rather from poorly executed installation work. You won’t find negative reviews for certified installations performed by professionals: KNAUF dry screed is a truly reliable and durable solution.

For those who doubt the correctness of the technology, the installation instructions for KNAUF floor can be found on the manufacturer's website (websites in various languages have been created for most European countries): Russian language instruction is available.

Alternative: KNAUF lightweight cement screed

Modern construction materials from KNAUF offer a wide range of practical solutions for home renovation, office space, or administrative building.

If dry floors do not inspire confidence, you can use another KNAUF proposal — lightweight cement screed KNAUF UBO (its application area, usage principle, and material consumption are described in the manufacturer's information sheet).

Photo 1 — Lightweight cement screed KNAUF UBO. Manufacturer's information sheet

$ KNAUF dry screed: material prices

All necessary materials for KNAUF dry screed installation can be purchased at the following approximate prices:

• moisture-resistant boards − $9/m²;
• KOMPEVIT filling − from $6.5/40 liters;
• adhesive mastics KALAN’OK (5 kg) − from $7;
• KNAUF-Flexhd waterproofing (5 kg) − $40;
• screws for GVL − from $7/pack;
• edge tape − from $5.7/roll.

The required amount of materials is indicated in the tables above.

$ KNAUF dry screed floor: labor costs

• in Moscow − up to 50 m² of work area − 350 rub/m², over 50 m² − 320 rub/m²;
• in Kiev: up to 50 m² of work area − 90 UAH/m², over 50 m² − 70 UAH/m².