Magnesia screed
Magnesia screed (MA)
Magnesia screed is a special screed because it contains no artificial ingredients, only natural components:
- Caustic magnesia (according to DIN 273, part 1) as a binding agent
- Magnesium chloride (according to DIN 273, part 2) - hardens the screed in combination with the caustic magnesia to a cement-like mass
- inorganic mineral aggregates such as quartz sand or powder
- organic materials such as small pieces of wood, sawdust, wood shavings, textile fibers, cork or paper flour
This means that magnesia screed, formerly known as stone wood screed, is a natural product for which color variations are normal.
Areas of application for magnesia screed
Magnesia screeds are used in industrial and commercial areas as a commercial screed. The screed can withstand high loads, but must not become damp. Typical areas of application here are high-bay warehouses, exhibition and sales areas.
As magnesia screed is low-dust and also electrically conductive, it is very suitable for floors that need to have antistatic properties. But magnesia screed is also used in the renovation of old buildings, especially in ecological construction. Here, the screed can be used on wooden beam ceilings - as it was a few centuries ago.
However, due to its extreme sensitivity to moisture, magnesia screed cannot be used in wet rooms under any circumstances. Outdoor use is also not possible.
Laying techniques for magnesia screed
Magnesia screed is used as a bonded screed. It is applied with a bonding bridge (this is mandatory in areas subject to heavy traffic!) and spread evenly. It is then compacted and leveled according to its consistency. The final screed thickness of magnesia screed is at least 25 mm.
If the magnesia screed is to be used as part of an ecological construction method, it is impregnated with linseed oil before use.
What to look out for when laying magnesia screed
Magnesia screed must be applied immediately after mixing. The outside temperature should not be below 10 °C and the room should be as dry as possible.
Magnesia screed takes a while to harden. It can be walked on after 2 days at the earliest. Until then, it must be protected from draughts, driving rain and heat. After about 5 days, it can be subjected to a little more load, but is ready for covering after 2-3 weeks at the earliest.
Caution: Magnesia screed is extremely sensitive to moisture and reacts to metals. Contact with metal can lead to corrosion. This applies not only to the hardening phase, but also to the time after the drying phase.
The advantages of magnesia screed
Magnesia screed can be laid on almost all substrates: Concrete, wood, bitumen or calcium sulphate-bound substrates are all possible. Thanks to its low shrinkage behavior, magnesia screed can be laid almost seamlessly.
With compressive strength classes up to C80, it also has high wear resistance. Practical: It can be colored on request - without any loss of strength. Magnesia screed is also highly resistant to chemicals. Mineral oils, fuels and many other chemical substances cannot harm it. It is also characterized by good sound and very good thermal insulation.
Magnesia screed and more: We are here for you
Do you attach great importance to sustainability and ecological construction methods? Then magnesia screed could be just the right screed for you. If you would like to find out more about the screed with its wood-like properties or would like advice, we will be happy to provide you with our expertise and experience from over 25 years of practice.
We offer you a high level of quality, which we ensure with our comprehensive quality management system. Reliability and professionalism are the characteristics of our employees, who will be happy to support you in your project with magnesia screed (or any other type of screed). Contact us now and tell us about your requirements, we look forward to hearing from you!
Questions and answers about magnesia screed
Magnesia screed consists of the components caustic magnesia and magnesium chloride as well as organic substances and inorganic mineral substances or a mixture thereof.
Stone wood screed is the old name for magnesia screed. It dates back to the 19th century, when screed was mixed with wood flour or pieces of wood when it was used on wooden beam ceilings. After wooden beam ceilings became rarer in the post-war period, the term stonewood screed also disappeared.