How much does floor screed weigh per square metre?

A 75mm sand and cement screed weighs approximately 150 kg/m² (0.075m × 2,000 kg/m³). This means a 20m² room with 75mm screed produces about 3 tonnes of waste. Screed is one of the heaviest floor materials to remove and dispose of, so accurate weight calculation is essential for skip and transport planning.

What is the best way to remove a concrete floor?

Concrete floors are typically broken up using a heavy-duty breaker (Kango or similar for thin slabs, pneumatic breaker for thicker ones). For large areas, a mini excavator with a breaker attachment is more efficient. The broken concrete is then loaded into skips or a grab lorry. Concrete can be recycled as aggregate — look for local crushing facilities.

How deep is a typical floor buildup?

A standard domestic floor buildup varies: timber floorboards on joists are 18-22mm thick (but joists add 150-200mm depth), screed is typically 50-75mm, concrete slabs are 100-150mm. Tiled floors add 10-15mm on top of screed. When planning removal, measure the actual buildup depth as it can vary significantly between properties.

Can I pour new screed over old flooring?

In some cases, yes — a self-levelling compound can be applied over sound existing floors. However, if the existing floor is damaged, uneven, or you need to lower the finished floor level, full removal is necessary. When installing underfloor heating, the old floor is usually removed to accommodate the heating system and new screed buildup.

How do I dispose of floor waste in the UK?

Concrete and screed waste can go to inert waste recycling facilities where it is crushed for reuse as aggregate. This is typically cheaper than mixed waste disposal. Timber flooring can be recycled or sent to biomass. Vinyl flooring goes to general waste. Always use a licensed waste carrier and obtain waste transfer notes for your records.

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Floor Removal Calculator

Calculate waste volume and weight from floor area and buildup depth, with density conversion for screed, concrete, timber, and tile floor types.

Floor Area per Room

Floor area to be removed per room

Buildup Depth

Total depth of floor to remove

Floor Type

Primary floor material — affects density and labour

Number of Rooms

Rooms with similar floor to remove

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines the volume and weight of material produced by floor removal, using the floor area and buildup depth. Material density factors convert volume to weight for accurate disposal planning.

Calculation method

Volume: Floor area (m²) × buildup depth (mm converted to metres) = volume in m³.

Weight: Volume × material density. Concrete is 2.4 t/m³, screed is 2.0 t/m³, timber is 0.55 t/m³. Weight often determines disposal costs and vehicle loads.

Vehicle loads: Weight divided by vehicle capacity — 8-yard skip (4t), grab lorry (8t), or tipper truck (10t).

Labour: Productivity rates vary by floor type — concrete takes the longest at 0.4 hrs/m², while vinyl/laminate is fastest at 0.1 hrs/m².

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.