What is Screeding?
Before we talk about what a concrete screeding tool is we should define exactly what screeding is. Screeding is the process of smoothing, flattening, and leveling a pliable material. Screeding leaves a smooth, level surface that can be used for paving, flooring, or other concrete work. As you can imagine, this is an important step when pouring concrete.
What is a Concrete Screeding Tool?
A concrete screed tool, sometimes called a concrete leveler, is an essential tool used in concrete surfacing and leveling. They come in a variety of sizes, materials, and levels of automation to suit any project. Screeding concrete is the process of smoothing out, evening out, and leveling concrete surfaces before they dry. By using a concrete screed tool, you can make sure that your concrete surface has an even texture that will last for years.
When to use a Concrete Screeding Tool
A concrete screeding tool is the first tool used after concrete has been poured. When concrete is first poured the surface is quite rough and uneven and needs to be smoothed and leveled before the next step of concrete finishing work can be started.
Different Types of Screeds
As previously mentioned, there are many types of tools available for concrete screeding available. No matter what your budget there is a screed type that will fit your budget and project.
We will now take a look at some of the most common types you concrete screeding tools you will come across.
Concrete Hand Screed
At the most basic and least expensive level, you will find hand-screeding tools.
A hand screed can be something as basic as a 2 x 4 that is pulled across the freshly poured concrete surface to smooth it out. When using a simple 2 x 4 as a concrete screed it works best if the concrete form is smaller than the length of the 2 x 4 being used. This allows you to use the form as a guide. Of course, the top of the form as well as the 2 x 4 need to be straight for this to work properly.
If the concrete pour is too wide for the 2 x 4 ends to reach both sides of the form you can attach a level to the top of the 2 x 4 to make sure it stays level as you move it across the top of the concrete.
Of course, there are also hand-screed tools you can purchase. There are two main types you will usually encounter.
The first one looks basically like a 2 x 4 and is usually made of aluminum. Some of them will have a small handle or multiple handles attached to make them easy to hold. The longer versions of this type of hand-screed will normally be operated by two people, but the shorter versions can be used by a single person.
You will also find integrated levels on some models. The prices on these usually vary from less than $100 to several hundred dollars depending on the size of the tool and its features.
The other common type of hand-screed tool you will usually see is like the previous type, but it has a long handle attached to it. They look a lot like a push broom with a screed instead of a broom attached to the handle. The long handle allows the person using the screen to stand while using it, and that makes the work easier in most cases. You will sometimes see these types of concrete screeding tools called “one-man screeds.”
Concrete Power Screeds
The next type of screed we are going to talk about is the power concrete screed. This is pretty much what you might expect. It is a screed tool with either a gasoline engine or an electric motor attached to it. There are even some models that have electric motors that are powered by batteries. This type of screed looks kind of like a garden tiller with similar handles and controls.
The purpose of the engine or motor attached to the concrete power screed is to cause the part of the tool that comes into contact with the concrete to vibrate. This vibration helps the concrete settle better and faster by better eliminating any air pockets in the concrete pour.
Concrete power screeds, as you might expect, and more expensive than the previously mentioned hand screeding tools. They usually start at over $1,000 and go up to several thousand dollars for models with more features.
Ride-On Concrete Screeds
Ride-on screeds are type of power screed that is larger, and the operator is able to ride on the machine. There are some ride-on screeds where the operator stands while operating the screed and others were the operator can sit.
Normally ride on screeds also have the vibrating feature to help eliminate air pockets and voids in the poured concrete.
This type of screed looks kind of like a zero-turn mower. They are very expensive, costing from tens of thousands and just go up from there.
Concrete Laser Screeds
Lasers are used in all kinds of different equipment these days from medical devices to missile guidance systems, but I’ll bet you never thought about them being used in a concrete screed machine. Well, there are actually concrete screeds with lasers attached to them.
Laser concrete screeds are self-propelled and use laser sensors like the ones used in laser levels to precisely read the signal from laser transmitters that control the finished concrete level. These types of concrete screed machines can achieve a very high level of accuracy, 1/8 inch or even better.
There is even advanced laser mapping systems and software that can be used with laser concrete screeds to map and screed complex multi-slop concrete jobs that would be extremely difficult or even impossible using other methods.
As you can imagine, this type of concrete screed is very expensive with a cost that can go into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe even more in some cases.
Advantages of Using a Concrete Screeding Tool
The advantages of using a concrete screed tool are many. It is pretty much required for any concrete job of any size, but as you have read, there are is a wide range of concrete screeds available.
Automated models significantly reduce labor costs because it eliminates manual labor needed to level concrete surfaces.
Concrete screeds help ensure a consistently high-quality finish on the concrete surface with minimal time needed for each application.
Concrete Screeding Tool Disadvantages
Concrete screed tools also come with some disadvantages.
For one, the advanced types are quite expensive, especially when compared to traditional concrete finishing methods such as using a simple 2 x 4.
Additionally, concrete screed tools require a certain level of skill and experience in order to use them safely and effectively. This is especially true of high tech models with advanced software, lasers, and GPS guidance.
Power concrete screed tools may need regular maintenance in order for them to function properly over time. As you can image, this can also get quite expensive on models with a lot of advanced features.
Should you Rent or Buy a Concrete Screed?
The cost of concrete screed tools varies widely depending on the size and type that you choose. Generally speaking though, concrete screed tools will range from under $100 for basic models such as handheld trowels and up to several thousand dollars for higher-end models with gasoline engines, electric motors, GPS, and even lasers.
It is important to keep in mind that buying concrete screed tools can be quite expensive, which is why some people may opt to rent concrete screed tools instead.
Renting concrete screed tools can often be beneficial if you are only using them occasionally or for a single project. You will still need to factor in the cost of fuel and maintenance, but renting concrete screed tools can still often be much more cost-effective than buying them outright. Renting also allows you to experiment with different sizes and styles of concrete screed tools without having to commit to buying one.
One thing a lot of people forget about when considering whether to buy or rent a tool is the space needed to store the tool when it’s not being used. So be sure to take this into consideration when deciding whether to rent or buy a concrete screeding tool.
Wrapping it Up
In summary, concrete screed tools are essential for concrete surfacing and leveling and offer several advantages such as reduced labor costs and improved finish quality on concrete surfaces. They do come at a price, however, and concrete screed tools require a certain level of skill and experience in order to use them safely and effectively.
Additionally, some concrete screed tool costs can be quite high so it is worth considering renting concrete screed tools instead if you are only using them occasionally or for a single project. With the right concrete screed tool, you can ensure that your concrete surfaces have an even texture that will last for years to come.
This article has provided an overview of concrete screed tools – their purpose, types, advantages, disadvantages, cost, and alternatives when it comes to buying or renting one.
By taking all of these factors into consideration, you can select the right concrete screed so that your concrete pour has a smooth and even surface that will last for years to come.
