Manual Screed vs. Vibrating Screed: Which One Gets Better Results?

If you want your concrete to look smooth, even, and professional, it will need to be screeded at the right time. And when it comes to screeding tools, you’ll have a few different options to choose from.

In order to finish your project on time and to a high degree, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the right screed for the job. Do your research, and you’ll probably come to realise that there are two main types on the market available to you–manual screeds and vibrating screeds. But what one is best suited for your project?

We’re going to explore both of these types of tools now!

What are Screeds Used for?

Screeds are long, straight-edged tools that are used to smooth and (ideally) perfectly level the surface of your concrete. Screeding concrete isn’t difficult and it’s a very approachable task for anyone new to concreting or passionate DIYers, but it’s still important to make sure you have a quality screed to work with.

As you screed you will be pushing stones and other aggregates down into the concrete and bringing a mixture of sand, cement and water to the top, which is called cream. This substance helps form a smooth and hard top for your concrete when it dries.

For small and moderately-sized projects, which are the most common for people pouring concrete at home, you’ll have two options to choose between: a manual concrete screed, or a vibrating power screed.

New to concreting? Read our blog on 8 Hand Tools Melbourne Concreters Need To Have so you can be fully prepared for your first project.

Manual Screeds

A manual concrete screed is a simple but effective tool and consists of a long, straight wood or metal rectangle with a long handle on the top that the user will hold it by. Some screeds don’t have a handle, meaning the operator will need to hold onto the screed itself as they work.

Manual screeds need to be perfectly level and straight, otherwise the concrete you are screeding may not turn out as level as you’d like. Their quality can often depend on the material they are made from, which can include:

• Wood: Easy to access and solid, wooden screeds are cheap but can easily warp or crack if they aren’t maintained properly.

• Aluminium: Screeds made from aluminium are light and easy to use while resisting bending.

• Steel: Powder-coated steel is very strong and easy to clean, but these screeds can be heavy and difficult to use for long periods of time.

If your manual screed doesn’t have a handle, you can buy separate ones that you can add on to make the screeding process easier. Some of these screeds also come with in-built spirit levels to help you create perfectly flat concrete, or like with the handles, you might be able to find levels you can attach to your screed as needed.

Vibrating Screeds

If you have a large area to screed and don’t fancy having to continually bend over and drag your screed across the concrete, then a vibrating screed may be the better choice. These fuel-powered machines allow the operator to walk upright behind the screed, steering it across the concrete and controlling it at all times.

Vibrating screeds work by using a motor that causes the flat blade at the front to vibrate, helping remove bubbles and pits from your concrete and smooth it out as it passes over. These vibrations have the potential to make your hands and arms quite sore, but quality power screeds will have vibration isolators built in to minimise this and allow you to work for longer.

Vibrating screeds can bring the cream of your concrete to the surface much quicker than a manual screed, allowing you to get the finish you need faster. You can also swap out the blades in a matter of minutes, making it easy to always use the right-sized ones for your project.

Do you want to buy hand tools online? Browse Australian Slate-Crete’s online catalogue for a fantastic range of concrete groovers, edgers, bullfloats and more!

Which Concrete Screed Should You Choose?

When it comes down to choosing between a manual or a vibrating screed, there are a few factors that will greatly influence your decision:

• Price limits: The initial cost of buying a manual screed versus a vibrating screed is very different. Manual screeds rarely cost more than $100, and that’s with extras like handles and spirit levels thrown in. On the other hand, vibrating screeds can cost a couple of thousand dollars to buy, although this price can vary depending on what size blade you are buying.

• Project size: If the concrete you need to level is very large, then you will need to invest in a bigger and more efficient screed if you want to be able to smooth it before it dries. And no matter how efficient you are, sometimes this will necessitate the use of a vibrating screed over a manual one!

• Effort required: Using a manual screed requires you to bend over the concrete or squat in it while using both your hands to manipulate the screed and drag it across your work surface. This can be very tiring, especially if your back, knees or shoulders have seen better days! A vibrating screed takes the hard effort out of screeding, allowing you to stay upright and steer the machine while it does all the work for you.

The bottom line

Use a manual screed if you are working on a small, budget project, such as your back patio or a small backyard pathway. If you don’t mind getting down on your hands and knees and getting right into your concrete, they’re an affordable and effective choice that will get you the results you want–as long as you know what you’re doing.

Use a vibrating screed if your project is a little larger, like a sidewalk or long driveway. If you have the money to spare, vibrating screeds will give you a smooth and professional finish quickly, without the extra effort on your part.

Buying concrete screeds in Melbourne means choosing between many popular brands, different sizes and all sorts of materials–feel free to give us a call if you need help deciding on the right screed for your project.

What about laser screeds?

We haven’t yet touched on laser screeds, but there is a reason for this. These screeds are considered to be the most effective of the bunch, quickly creating a perfectly level surface with basically no input from the operator.

So, what’s the catch? They’re outrageously expensive–we’re talking over $10,000 to buy, with some costing over $100,000! For the everyday worker or DIY enthusiast looking to buy hand tools online, this just isn’t feasible.

Unless you are having to screed a warehouse floor or industrial runway, you won’t be needing to use a laser screed. If you’re looking to buy a screed for personal use, keep your mind focused on manual or vibrating ones instead!

For an in-depth look into screeding and the types of tools available to you, make sure to read our blog on the Different Types Of Concrete Screeds: What Type Of Screed Is Best?

Australian Slate-Crete: Your Best Destination for Screeds in Melbourne

Already decided on the type of screed you are going to buy? Your next step is to find a reputable supplier. And if you’re looking for concrete screeds in Melbourne, there’s no better place to go than Australian Slate-Crete Supplies! We have been supplying high-quality concrete supplies and hand tools to Australian customers for over 25 years, and have a reputation for offering the best products and advice to our DIY-loving customers.

Visit our Epping store, or get in touch by calling us on 03 9408 7722 or using our online message form to find out more about how we can help you prepare for and complete your next project.

Whether you want to buy hand tools online or have a chat with an expert in person, we are the team for the job!