Choosing the right floor preparation method is one of the most important decisions during any construction or renovation project in Oman. Two common options are self leveling and traditional cement screed. While both methods prepare floors for tiles, vinyl, epoxy, and other finishes, the performance, durability, and outcome can vary greatly.
With Oman’s growing construction sector, selecting a skilled flooring contractor oman ensures your flooring foundation is strong, smooth, and long-lasting.
What Is Self Leveling?
Self leveling is a liquid-based cement compound that spreads smoothly and settles automatically into a flat, even surface. It creates a perfect base for:
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Tiles
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Vinyl and laminate
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PU flooring
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Sports courts and gym surfaces
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Residential and commercial floors
Self leveling is ideal when the goal is a flawless, smooth, and fast-drying surface.
What Is Traditional Screed?
Traditional screed is a sand-cement mixture manually spread and leveled using tools. While commonly used in older construction methods, it requires more time, more labour, and more drying period.
Traditional screed is usually applied when:
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A thick layer is required
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Major height adjustments are needed
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The surface doesn’t require a premium smooth finish
However, screed often needs grinding or additional leveling afterward.
For surfaces like natural stone, marble polishing oman can enhance the finish after screed installation.
Self Leveling vs Traditional Screed – Key Differences
1. Surface Smoothness
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Self Leveling: Automatically spreads into a perfectly smooth layer.
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Traditional Screed: Depends heavily on workmanship; uneven areas are common.
A smooth surface is critical for epoxy coating applications.
2. Installation Speed
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Self Leveling: Fast application, quick drying (ready within hours).
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Traditional Screed: Time-consuming, slow drying (may take days or weeks).
3. Thickness of Application
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Self Leveling: Applied in thin layers (3–10 mm).
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Traditional Screed: Much thicker (20–100 mm depending on requirement).
4. Durability & Strength
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Self Leveling: Offers excellent compressive strength and stability.
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Traditional Screed: Strong but often cracks if not installed correctly.
5. Cost Efficiency
While traditional screed is cheaper upfront, self leveling saves:
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Labour costs
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Grinding time
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Preparation costs before coatings
It also ensures better performance for premium finishes using flooring contractor epoxy paint and high-grade materials like Hempel epoxy paint.
6. Best Uses in Oman’s Construction
Self Leveling is ideal for:
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Villas
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Commercial offices
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Gyms & courts
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Showrooms
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Epoxy or PU coating
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Luxury floor finishes
Explore more on sports flooring oman for athletic areas.
Traditional Screed is ideal for:
- Large construction projects
- Areas requiring height adjustment
- Outdoor surfaces
- Basic flooring foundations
Which One Should You Choose?
For modern residential and commercial flooring in Oman, self leveling is the superior choice because it provides:
✔ Perfect smoothness
✔ Quick installation
✔ High durability
✔ Better support for advanced coatings
✔ Long-term performance
If you plan to install epoxy flooring oman, self leveling is mandatory for achieving a flawless finish.
You can learn more about the experts behind the service on the about us page.
Get Professional Floor Preparation Services in Oman
Whether your project requires self leveling, screed installation, epoxy flooring, or complete surface restoration, Flooring Oman offers professional solutions with high-quality materials and expert workmanship.
For site inspection, quotation, or consultation, feel free to contact us.