When it comes to flooring projects in Malta, self-levelling screed Malta is often compared against traditional screed — each offers its own advantages and drawbacks depending on your project’s requirements, budget, and timeline. Here’s how the two compare.
What Is Traditional Screed?
Traditional screed is a manually mixed blend of cement and sharp sand, typically laid by hand and levelled using a straightedge or screed bar. It requires skilled labour and more time for installation and finishing, and has been the go-to solution in Malta for decades across residential and commercial builds.
Pros:
- Proven, well-understood technique
- Ideal for sloped or uneven surfaces
- Can accommodate reinforcement like mesh or fibres
- Often more cost-effective for large areas
Cons:
- Slower to install and cure
- Requires skilled labour for proper levelling
- Surface may need additional sanding or smoothing
What Is Self-Levelling Screed?
Self-levelling screed is a free-flowing compound that spreads evenly across the floor with minimal manual effort, ideal for achieving a perfectly flat, smooth surface quickly — especially in modern residential or commercial applications.
Pros:
- Fast installation and quick curing time
- Excellent surface finish with minimal labour
- Perfect for thin overlays or final finish prep
- Great for use with underfloor heating systems
Cons:
- Generally more expensive per square metre
- Not suitable for thicker builds without base preparation
- Requires precise subfloor prep for optimal performance
Self-Levelling Screed Malta: Which Option Is Best?
- Budget: traditional screed is generally more affordable for large-scale or basic applications.
- Timeframe: self-levelling screed is ideal when a quick turnaround is needed.
- Surface finish: for ultra-smooth, ready-to-finish floors, self-levelling is superior.
- Structural needs: traditional screed allows for custom slope design and reinforcement.
If your project involves underfloor heating, both options can work — see our dedicated guide on screed with underfloor heating in Malta for the details that matter most there.
Our Expert Recommendation
At Shaw Contractors, we offer both self-levelling and traditional screeding in Malta and can recommend the best option for your needs. Our experienced team evaluates your site conditions, timeline, and flooring plans before proposing a customised solution — read our complete guide to concrete screed in Malta for the full picture on types, thickness and cost.
Still unsure which screed is right for your build? Contact Shaw Contractors today for expert advice and a tailored quote on your floor screeding project in Malta.
