Different Types Of Concrete Screeds: What Type Of Screed Is Best?

If you’ve just poured concrete onto a fresh surface, the next step will involve a screed. These long tools are a must-have if you’re undertaking a DIY concrete project or working as a professional concreter.

Concrete screeds may look simple, but the role they play is an important one and there are a few different kinds you can find on the market. So, which type do you need, and should you have more than one available? We’ll answer all these questions and more below.

What Is A Concrete Screed?

Sometimes called a straightedge, a concrete screed is a long, thin hand tool used to ‘strike off’ (or screed) concrete after it has been poured. This helps to level the concrete and remove any excess, creating a flat surface before excess bleed water has a chance to form on the top surface. By getting this done early, the finishing process for concrete becomes much easier.

The term ‘screed’ can also be used to refer to a material used as part of the concreting process, and to ‘screed’ concrete is to perform the ‘strike off’ step mentioned above. But in this blog, we’ll use screed to refer to the tool!

Concrete screeds can be either hand tools or power tools, with the powered versions being more appropriate for larger projects. Powered screeds will cost a lot, more than non-powered versions, but can make projects much faster and easier to complete.

The Types Of Concrete Screeds

There are two main types of screeds that you’ll see used across Australia; hand screeds and power screeds. Power screeds can be split further into two categories – vibrating screeds and laser screeds.

Hand Screed

Hand screeds consist of a narrow, long and flat piece of plastic or metal with either a handle directly attached or a long pole used to manoeuvre it across the surface of concrete.

These screeds are purely hand-powered and have all their movements controlled by the user. Hand concrete screeds allow you to move them precisely, but require a lot of effort and can be tiring to use over larger areas, like driveways and commercial parking lots. They are better suited for smaller jobs, like for backyard patios, small pathways or decorative concrete.

Higher-quality hand screeds will have features such as:

• An in-built spirit level. This will help you make sure the concrete you are screeding is perfectly flat. You can also find spirit levels that can be attached and detached from screeds as you need.

• Adjustable handle. Screeds with poles may have adjustable lengths to make the screeding process more comfortable. If your screed has a detachable handle, you can use it by ‘flipping’ the screed, attaching the handle to the new working face and using it again on the clean side.

• High-quality materials that resist bending and are easy to clean. Aluminium is a great choice, as it is light enough to work with easily but won’t bend or warp. Steel with a powder-coated finish is also a good choice, as the coating will make it easy to clean up afterwards.

A good-quality hand screed is a must-have in your kit, so make sure you get one from a reputable supplier! Australian Slate-Crete Supplies is a great source for concrete screeds in Melbourne, and we also sell accessories like extra handles to help you craft a screed you can comfortably use.

Interested in more great tools? Australian Slate-Crete Supplies has an amazing range of concrete hand tools in Melbourne you can browse.

Power Screeds

Like hand screeds, good quality power screeds will be made from durable materials and have adjustable parts to make them easier to use over longer periods of time. In fact, these adjustments are arguably more important, as using any power tool incorrectly can lead to injury.

Adjustments and features to look out for include:

• Extra blade lengths. These lengths can be swapped out to suit your project, and swapping them shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

• Handle vibration isolators. Holding onto vibrating handles for too long is going to leave you with sore hands, wrists and arms, so trust us, you’ll want a power screed with vibration isolators in the handles!

• A sturdy kickstand. Seems simple, but a reliable kickstand makes storing your power creed much easier. It can also help streamline the refuelling process.

• Adjustable handle height system. Being able to adjust the handles to your desired height will prevent back or neck pain from using a power screed that is too short or tall.

Vibrating Screed

These look similar to your classic hand screed, but come with so much more! Vibrating screeds use a motor to vibrate as they move across the surface of the concrete. This vibration helps bring bubbles to the surface and eliminate them, smooth the concrete, and bring water and a mixture of sand and cement to the surface (called ‘slurry’). When the slurry dries and hardens, you’ll have a smooth surface that prevents bleeding.

By eliminating bubbles and voids in the concrete, you create a better-quality surface that is much easier to clean and maintain. Make sure you have good posture and have adjusted the vibrating screed so it is comfortable for you to use, as the constant vibrations can make you sore if the screed is being used incorrectly.

Laser Screed

This is the most advanced type of screeding tool, and is great for use over larger areas like warehouse floors and other industrial areas. Laser screeds also work through vibration, but rather than being guided by the workers’ eye, they use laser-led sensors to determine the level of the concrete. 

Laser screeds self-adjust the height of their blade as they work. This leads them to create an extremely professional finish much faster than you’d get by otherwise using a vibrating or hand screed. They can get the job done quicker and faster, but this also means they’re a much more expensive option!

Want to buy power and hand tools online? Australian Slate-Crete Supplies is your best destination for hand tools in Australia!

Which Type Of Screed Is The Best?

The type of screed you choose will come down to the type of concreting work you need to do.  

1. Hand screeds are the most affordable of the bunch, with good quality ones costing up to around $100 depending on the size. They are best used for smaller jobs, as they require a lot of manual handling to smooth and level the concrete.

2. Vibrating screeds are a bit more expensive due to their motorised build, and can cost up to several thousand dollars again depending on what size you need. They’ll come with more features than a hand screed, and are well worth the price for larger projects, like garage floors or long driveways.

3. Laser screeds are heavy-duty machines that should be purchased for large, industrial-size jobs by your company. They usually cost over $100,000, so they aren’t something you’ll buy for personal use!

Pair your concrete screeds with other handy tools like bull floats, concrete rakes and specialty edgers, and you’ll be able to create neat, professional-looking concrete slabs every time.

Where Can I Buy Concrete Screeds In Melbourne?

Looking for hand or vibrating screeds? You’ve come to the right place. Australian Slate-Crete Supplies is your trusted supplier of concreting tools and equipments, as well as various types of concrete hardeners, sealers and stencils.

If you’re not sure what type of screed is best for your project, feel free to reach out to our team on 03 9408 7722 or leave us a message online with your question. As experienced concrete tool suppliers for over 25 years, we are ready and willing to help you plan and supply your concrete job to perfection. 

Whether you’re looking to buy hand tools online or just need advice on the right concreting tools to use, we’re ready to help!