On large surfaces, hand-troweled leveling compound only delivers a uniform result with exceptionally skilled workmanship. Human troweling leaves marks, and slight floor unevenness is visible even under vinyl and flexible coverings. Self-leveling compound removes this variable from the equation: it is smoothed by gravity, not by hand.
Self-leveling compound is mixed to a liquid consistency and spreads out on the floor by itself after application. Gravity arranges it into a horizontal plane without manual smoothing. This provides a significantly more even and faster result on large areas—such as offices, commercial spaces, and educational facilities—compared to hand-troweled traditional leveling compounds.
Self-leveling compound is typically applied in layer thicknesses of 1–30 mm. It does not spread properly below one millimeter, and above 30 mm, screed or thick-layer leveling compound must be used. The upper limit depends on the product and the condition of the substrate, which may require two layers.
Self-leveling compound is an ideal choice for:
When applying self-leveling compound over underfloor heating systems, the temperature of the heating circuit and the compatibility of the self-leveling material must be checked in advance. The self-leveling compound should be applied with the underfloor heating turned off, and the manufacturer’s specified curing time must be observed before the first heating.
For particularly tight deadlines, fast-setting self-leveling compound is also available, which can be covered after 2–6 hours. This version offers significant time savings in offices and commercial spaces where the deadline for returning the space is fixed.
Substrate preparation is mandatory before applying self-leveling compound: removal of dusty, loose parts, repair of cracks, and application of a suitable primer. Without primer, the self-leveling material draws water from the substrate, does not spread properly, and the surface becomes uneven and brittle. On highly absorbent substrates, a deep-penetrating primer that balances absorbency is necessary.
Browse our self-leveling compounds or request advice to select the right material for your floor preparation system.
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