Mix the self-leveling floor with cement. We make a self-leveling floor (self-leveling screed) with our own hands. Cement-acrylic self-leveling floors

Before installing the finishing flooring, it is necessary to level the base. Modern building materials provide the opportunity to achieve a perfect, even surface in different ways. The range of materials and technologies is quite large: from arranging flooring from sheet materials of sufficient strength to the production of "wet" screeds using cement-sand mixtures or self-leveling (self-leveling) compounds. Which is better: self-leveling floor or cement screed? To make a decision on the advisability of using a particular framework, it is necessary to understand their features and subtleties of application.

The screed and self-leveling floor differ from each other according to several criteria:

time costs and labor intensity of work;
cost of materials and work;
compatibility with the material of the upper finishing flooring;
the possibility of using at various elevation differences.

The expediency of using a self-leveling floor is high, if it is necessary to perfectly level the surface, to carry out work in the shortest possible time. The self-leveling floor is not suitable for use with large differences in height and for laying such finishing materials as tiles, stone, porcelain stoneware. With a rather low labor intensity, the cost of installation and material for the self-leveling floor are high in comparison with a concrete screed.

The concrete screed perfectly levels the surface, its cost is relatively cheap, however, the process of leveling the floor is laborious and time-consuming. A concrete screed is associated with the need to deliver many bags of cement and sand to the facility being repaired, mixing the mortar by hand. Therefore, when carrying out repair work in a multi-storey building, it is necessary to understand that the high location of the object increases the cost of the cement screed due to the need to raise the material to the floor. The cement screed dries rather slowly and the curing speed directly depends on the layer thickness.

Concrete floor screed

Brief information about the features of the concrete screed

Over time, cracks and scratches appear on the concrete surface, which inevitably leads to the need to level the flooring. It is impossible to make high-quality installation or replacement of laminated or parquet flooring, linoleum without restoration of the concrete screed. The minimum thickness of pouring the concrete mixture when eliminating the defects of the existing concrete screed is 30 millimeters.
TIP: The surface of the concrete screed must be additionally sanded if relatively thin linoleum is to be laid. However, resurfacing costs the additional money.
Experts make a concrete screed along the lighthouses, it is this technology that allows you to maintain the required level throughout the room. The need to use beacons and leveling the mixture manually with a special tool - the rule also makes the process laborious and classifies the screed process as a low-tech one.

IMPORTANT: Experienced experts note the positive aspect of using the screed - you can immediately lay the elements of the "warm floor" system inside it.

Advantage of a concrete screed: it can be used to install an underfloor heating system

Brief information about the features of self-leveling floors

Self-leveling floor, which is a self-leveling gravity composition, is used for surfaces with small differences in height. This type of substrate can withstand heavy loads, including high wear resistance and does not wear out.

Composition of working mixtures and their features

The physicochemical properties of the materials that make up the cement-sand screed and the bulk mixture determine the differences in the implementation of floor pouring technologies.

"Wet" cement screed

A traditional formulation for wet cement-sand screed consists of three components: sifted sand, cement and water. Its preparation is carried out by the craftsmen themselves by kneading immediately before use. At the same time, the proportions of the elements are also regulated situationally, therefore the human factor plays an important role here. There is a ready-made dry mix for a cement-sand screed, which is only diluted with water. This mixture contains a small amount of profile modifiers. Modifiers increase the manufacturability of installation and improve the performance characteristics of the cement-sand screed, namely:

improve the mobility of the solution;
increase the period of initial setting of the diluted mixture;
increase the moisture resistance of the floor;
increase the strength of the coating and its abrasion;
increase resistance to deformation under temperature exposure, which is important with the additional use of "warm" floor technology.

IMPORTANT: With or without modifiers, the process of laying cement-sand mixtures requires processing large volumes of materials, as well as significant efforts to achieve the effect of a flat surface.

Semi-dry cement screed

When choosing the ratio of components, in which a greater amount of sand prevails in the mixture and relatively little water, it is possible to achieve the effect of rapid solidification of the prepared solution. Semi-dry screed is characterized by low strength, it often crumbles and crushes, does not withstand heavy weight loads. This method is used most often in apartments with a small amount of lightweight furniture, with accelerated repairs.

Dry cement screed

With a dry screed, water is not used at all, since a dry mixture is used to backfill the floors. Mechanically, such a backfill is leveled and sheet materials are applied on top - plywood or gypsum fiber. With a low weight, this screed is suitable for use in private houses on wooden floors.
TIP: "Wet" screed, as more durable, is more often used in non-residential premises (garages, retail areas), other types of screeds are preferable for apartments and houses with a relatively small area.

A dry screed is most suitable for use in apartments with a flat subfloor

Self-leveling self-leveling screed

Compositions for self-leveling floors are manufactured in the factory in the form of dry mixtures or suspensions, they cannot be prepared independently. The mobile liquid consistency of the finished solution allows it to flow freely and level out due to gravitational forces. The classification of self-leveling floors is made in accordance with the composition of the mixture. Mineral or polymer compounds can be included in the finished mixture, and therefore self-leveling floors are conventionally divided into:

epoxy;
polyurethane;
epoxy-polyurethane;
methyl methacrylate.

Polyurethane compounds are distinguished by increased elasticity and moisture resistance; they are intended for operation under conditions of significant loads and surface compression / expansion, as well as vibration and temperature extremes.

An impact-resistant surface is obtained using epoxies. These two-component compositions are still shock-resistant, withstand mechanical stress of high intensity.

Epoxy-polyurethane mixtures are distinguished by their strength, resilience and elasticity, and in fact, they combine the positive characteristics of mono-component epoxy and polyurethane mixtures.

If a high speed of hardening of the composition is required, it is necessary to use methyl methacrylate compositions - two hours after pouring it is possible to move along the floor surface.

Polyurethane floor screed

Features of coatings due to the compositions used

In addition to the main operational characteristics, when choosing the types of screed, it is necessary to evaluate other important parameters: the time and method of preparation, laying, and other installation operations. These factors affect the bottom line, cost and time spent on floor renovation.

Cement-sand screed

The technological feature of this type of composition is its thick consistency and poor plasticity. This necessitates the use of trowels, graters and rules, as well as significant physical effort to distribute the mass over the floor surface. In order to facilitate the application process, the addition of modifiers to the mixture is practiced. If the installation is carried out quickly and there are no factory modifiers, it is possible to add a concentrated detergent to the composition - it also increases the plasticity of the mixture. In case of large differences in height, the "beacon" laying technology is used, it is characterized by a general rise in the cost of work and additional labor costs.
IMPORTANT: A mortar of cement-sand screed is made immediately before use using sand, cement and a variable amount of water. The quality and composition of the solution is complete. Depends
from the human factor and the skill of the performer - incorrect use of the proportions of materials when mixing the mixture can lead
to its fragility and cracking.

Scope of cement-sand screed

Due to the pronounced roughness of the surface of the cement-sand screed, it is used as a basis for laying linoleum, parquet, laminate, floorboard, carpet.

For technical or industrial premises, sometimes a cement screed is used as a topcoat. Strengthen the top layer of the screed for its further use using the ironing technology, in which cement milk is squeezed onto the surface of the solution and dry cement or other powder toppings are rubbed into it, which seal the outer layer of the screed and strengthen it. The reinforced surface in this way can withstand the operation of heavy equipment, including forklift trucks.

For residential premises, the minimum screed thickness is 3-4 centimeters. To prevent mechanical damage, cracking, it is practiced to place a reinforcing metal or polymer mesh inside the composition. After 12 hours after pouring the cement-sand screed solution, it is possible to gently move along its surface in soft shoes. The nominal strength is reached after 14 days, after which the installation of decorative finishing materials is possible. The final solidification of the solution occurs within 90 days. In the case of using wood materials as a finishing floor covering, the moisture content of the substrate must be taken into account, namely, the substrate must be completely dry.

Floor polishing machine

Screed with self-leveling floor

The self-leveling floor is installed without "beacons", the pouring technology is simple and does not require significant efforts of a specialist. Due to the fluidity of the mortar and its ability to self-level, fast drying, the installation process is fast and efficient.

Scope of self-leveling floors

The quality of the resulting surface of self-leveling floors allows you to lay absolutely any decorative coverings on top. Often, self-leveling floors are left as a topcoat due to its attractive appearance, the possibility of decorating in various ways during installation.

The polymer self-leveling screed has a rich color palette; in addition, glitters, flocks and other decorative ornaments can be used. The so-called 3D floors are gaining popularity. Impressive looks and a variety of fantasy images are achieved by mid-fill high-resolution vinyl-backed images and topcoated with clear polyurethane or epoxy.
Tip: Using a similar technology, it is also possible to make some interior items, in particular, tables, whose design will repeat the design of the floors.
Self-leveling floors are popular for food, chemical, pharmacological purposes, as well as in gyms and fitness clubs, public institutions, kitchens in catering organizations, that is, where sterility and cleanliness, ease of maintenance and disinfection of surfaces are important.

For household premises, self-leveling floors are indispensable in bathrooms, kitchens - in areas where there are pronounced temperature fluctuations and high humidity.

After 3 hours after pouring the bulk mixture, you can already move on its surface, and after three days it is advisable to start laying the decorative material.

The minimum permissible thickness for pouring the mixture is 0.5-1 mm, and generally, pouring is made in 3.5-5 mm. But with the minimum thickness of the fill, the floors are suitable only for domestic use, and for industrial use, the thickness is calculated in accordance with the expected loads.

The process of pouring a self-leveling floor

Features of the use of various screeds in practice

The expediency of using one or another type of screed or their combination depends on several factors.

An indicator for the use of a cement-sand screed is a complex floor relief, namely:

large differences in height between floor slabs;
significant irregularities, potholes;
large angle of inclination of the plates.

These defects require the installation of a thick layer of screed, therefore, the advantage of using cement-sand mortars in this case is undeniable.

If it is necessary to achieve significant heat-saving characteristics of floors, for example, interfloor ones, perilite, expanded clay or expanded polystyrene balls are added to the cement-sand screed. Heat-saving functions are not characteristic of self-leveling floors and heat saving values cannot be achieved with the addition of any additives.
Advice: It is believed that a self-leveling floor can be made independently without resorting to the services of specialists.
The stages of surface preparation for all types of screed can be characterized as follows:

cleaning floor slabs or existing rough fill;
dedusting the surface;
priming for better adhesion.

Ready-made concrete floor screed

Combined screed device

If it is necessary to achieve a smooth floor surface with a strongly deformed working surface, experts recommend using a combined method - first, a layer of concrete screed is made over the entire surface or in parts thereof, and a self-leveling floor is mounted on top. This method saves money by 40% compared to using only a self-leveling floor on difficult surfaces.

Combined method of using concrete screed and self-leveling floor

Approximate calculation of screed costs

Self-leveling floor and screed are designed to level the surface, but, at the same time, differ in properties and cost. For clarity, it is possible to give an example of a conditional calculation of the cost of installing coatings, based on the conditional area of an object of 100 square meters.

Initial data

Let's calculate a situation in which it is necessary to level the floor with a coating, the thickness of which will be equal to 10 centimeters, per 1009 square meters. There are three possible options:

A mixture of high quality sand concrete. Its average cost is 150 rubles per 50 kg, that is, 3 rubles per 1 kilogram;
Cement screed with modifiers- the average price is 180 rubles per 25 kilograms, namely 7.2 rubles per kilogram;
Composition for self-leveling floor- about 230 rubles per 20 kilograms (more than 11 rubles per kg).

For 10 square meters of the object you will need:

2 kilograms per square meter of sand concrete, and its total cost will be 60 thousand rubles;
1.8 kilograms of modified screed, the total cost of this material will be 129,600 rubles;
1.6 kilograms per square meter of mixture for self-leveling floor, but, at a significant cost of one kilogram, 184,000 rubles will be spent on the material.

Based on the above calculations, it is obvious that with a large thickness of surface leveling, it is necessary to combine a cement-sand screed and a self-leveling floor.

Surface quality

For tiles and porcelain stoneware and stone, a mirror surface provided by the use of self-leveling floors is absolutely unnecessary.

Therefore, a self-leveling floor is used before laying the following materials:

linoleum;
laminate;
parquet;
carpet.

It is for these materials that all the properties of the self-leveling floor are required, since they provide the final ideal appearance of the repaired floor.

Medium thicknesses for leveling

At medium drops, namely 2-3 centimeters, it is necessary to make a decision based on the current situation at the repair facility, as well as in accordance with the intended design.

So, if you need to lay only linoleum or laminate and do it as quickly as possible, it is advisable to make a self-leveling floor. If it is necessary to install underfloor heating, then a cement-concrete screed is used, and, at the request of the customer, an additional self-leveling floor.

In any case, one of the important determining factors in choosing the type of screed is the time and amount of money.

Advice: If you need to quickly make a high-quality coating and there is no purpose to save money, self-leveling floors will be the ideal solution.

Finishing alignment

For high-quality finishing leveling with a thickness of 1-3 millimeters, only a self-leveling floor is used. It is important to keep in mind that any other screed will not grasp the base, it will crack due to the thinness of the layer.

Finished coating for laminate flooring

Let's sum up

For quick orientation when using screed types, depending on the coating and the thickness of the leveling, we give a summary table.

Parquet, laminate, linoleum, carpet, other material that requires a flat surfaceTile, mosaic, stone, other material that requires a rough surfaceThin layer of filling from 0-5, mm Self-leveling floor Average layer of filling from 5-30, mm Self-leveling floor / screed Thick fill layer, significant height difference and defects - 30-200 mm Combined method - screed with self-leveling floor Any type of screed

Video: subtleties and secrets of self-leveling floors and liquid screeds

One of the problems of indoor flooring is the uneven surface structure. This does not allow high-quality processing of the base using decorative finishing materials. One of the solutions to this problem is a self-leveling floor. Such materials are distinguished by self-leveling abilities, which minimizes human participation in the distribution of the surface structure.

Distinctive features

Cement self-leveling floors are modern materials that, when installed, form a flat surface. The thickness of a single layer can vary over a wide range.

Cement-based floors have several unique characteristics:

The hardened surface has high compressive strength. This allows not only to level the floor, but also to further strengthen it;
Cement perfectly tolerates moisture without losing its original characteristics;
The products are compatible with various finishing materials, including methyl methacrylate mixtures;

Relatively low cost. This concept is relative, since if you use mixtures as classic screeds, the volume increases, and, accordingly, the financial costs;
The cement mixture allows moisture to pass through well, which allows the surface to breathe, minimizing the effect of the liquid on the structure of the material;
Bases of this type are perfect for arranging "warm" floors;
Ease of installation. Almost everyone can equip a self-leveling floor, even without experience in construction;
Almost perfect base alignment. This material is much better than the classic sand screed, which does not allow for precise leveling of the surface.

Application environment

Cement self-leveling floors are universal leveling compounds that are not used as a decorative coating.

Their main purpose is to create a flat surface for finishing materials:

laminate;
parquet;
linoleum and others.

Screeds of this kind are used in various types of premises. You can lay them both in the toilet and in the living room.

In theory, they are versatile and suitable for both outdoor and indoor use.

In residential premises, self-leveling floors are used, which include a minimum amount of polymers. This eliminates the release of harmful substances into the air.

Therefore, this option is optimal for a bathroom or kitchen, where moisture is constantly emitted.

For living quarters that are distinguished by minimal humidity, the best option would be a gypsum-based screed. It dries much faster, but it is not used outdoors. Today, special polymer-cement screeds have been developed, which make it possible to obtain a fairly thin leveling layer. Its thickness can reach 3-10 mm, depending on the manufacturer. But at the same time, the technical characteristics of this product are much better. Therefore, a floor based on polymer components with a thickness of 1 cm competes with a classic cement coating with a thickness of 3 cm.

Polymer-cement mixtures are used only inside industrial premises. They can often be found in warehouses or other similar facilities. A feature of this product is that after pouring it can be simply painted and used as a topcoat.

Types of cement floors

Self-leveling floors are made of various substances that ensure the strength and durability of the product. Today, the highest quality mixtures are made on the basis of cement.

Depending on the composition, these materials can be divided into several subspecies:

Sand-cement floors. Sandy substances are the classic and most common. In terms of characteristics, these mortars are very similar to conventional cement screeds, which are used for additional leveling of the surface.
Cement-gypsum compositions. The combination of these substances makes it possible to obtain a solution that resists stress well and dries quickly.
Polyurethane-cement and epoxy-cement floors. The products are distinguished by their high strength and durability. Their peculiarity is that they perfectly tolerate not only physical, but also chemical stress. Therefore, they are used in enterprises with certain working conditions. A floor made of such materials forms a seamless structure that does not collapse even with constant high temperature drops.

It should be noted that almost all types of cement-based self-leveling floors include polymer components. It can be either epoxy resins or ordinary acrylic. Depending on the percentage of these substances, the screed gets different properties. Today, there are special polymer compounds that can be used to obtain the so-called "liquid glass".

Classic self-leveling cement floors consist of several main components:

Cement. Its amount is determined by the intended use of the material and the environment of its use. Depending on the brand of cement, the substance can receive different strengths.
Fractional sand. In the manufacture of products, only high-quality components of the same size are used.
Mineral and polymer additives. Their number is also regulated by the production technology.

Surface structure

Cement-based self-leveling floors can technically be considered classic screeds. They differ only in consistency and composition. But at the same time, no one bothers to use them instead of a standard solution of cement and sand.

Depending on the purpose and structure of the material, self-leveling floors of this type are divided into the following subspecies:

Basic. The substance is used to compensate for significant differences. They allow you to form a screed up to 8 cm thick. They are not used as the main surface, since they do not differ in the required technical parameters.
Mixes for middle layers. The main purpose is to level out small defects with height differences of up to 3 cm. Often this mixture is covered with a base layer, which makes it possible to obtain a strong and durable structure.
Finishing. Compounds of this type fairly accurately level the surface. Laminate and other decorative materials are already laid on such bases. A cement floor of this type can be applied with a thickness of no more than 1 cm.

Preparation of the base

The quality of the self-leveling floor largely depends on the structure of the surface on which it is applied. Therefore, before laying the cement-based mixture, the bases must be properly prepared.

This process consists of several procedures:

Self-leveling mixtures are based on concrete. Therefore, before installing the floors, remove all the old coating from the surface. If the old structure does not imply a concrete screed, then it is advisable to equip it. This is especially true for country houses where the floors are made of wood.
When the old cover has been removed, check the differences in the base. It is important that this value does not exceed 20 mm. If protruding tubercles are encountered, then it is advisable to remove them mechanically. The best option would be the usual knocking down of irregularities. An alternative would be to use grinders and special electric tools.
To get a strong adhesion of the bulk mixture to the substrate, it is important to seal all cracks and remove dust. Immediately before the actual application of liquid floors, the surface is primed with special solutions.

Apply the mixture

The technology for obtaining self-leveling floors based on cement is quite simple and involves the implementation of such sequential actions.

So that the work does not seem overwhelming, and the process itself proceeds smoothly and without unpleasant nuances, you need to follow the main stages of the pouring technology. This is an important point, since the result will depend on the correct performance of the work at each stage.

Substrate preparation for grouting

This stage is considered the most important; the final result of your work will depend on it. For example, you were irresponsible in cleaning the surface from construction debris, and you didn’t have enough strength to level it. Get the result you worked hard for. An uneven surface will make itself felt at the stage of pouring concrete - the bulk mass will flow down.

For the most part, a concrete base is chosen for a self-leveling coating, which is why the requirements for it are quite stringent:

the base must be made as flat as possible;
all cracks and defects need to be leveled;
before pouring the floor, one should not forget about waterproofing the base;
clean the floors from various debris and dirt, remove oil stains, if any.

The easiest way to fulfill all these requirements is to perform a concrete screed on the base, trying to level it. This will help hide all the irregularities, and in addition, it is more convenient to lay the waterproofing material on the screed.

After the screed has dried, priming work must be done. For this, a one-component varnish is most often used. It is applied in two layers and each of them is carefully dried. With the correct application of the primer to the surface, it will look like coarse sandpaper. The purpose of the primer is to create excellent adhesion to the base material of the pot.

If, after application, the primer begins to foam and darken, you need to wait a little more for it to dry completely, up to 24 hours. After the base has dried, puttying works are carried out, which contribute to the maximum leveling of the surface.

Installing beacons

After carrying out all the preparatory work, you need to take on the fixing of the beacons - guides that will contribute to the uniform application of the cement-containing composition. This can be dispensed with if the floor is poured in a small area, but beacons cannot be neglected in large rooms. Otherwise, you will not be able to apply the cement mixture evenly.

Thanks to the installation of beacons, you will get the main area, divided into segments, due to which you can pour the concrete solution in stages. Beacons are fixed using the same concrete mixture that will be used for pouring.

How to prepare a mortar for a self-leveling cement floor?

When the solution is completely frozen under the beacons, it's time to prepare a mixture for pouring work. Having picked up a package with a dry mixture, you must carefully study the attached instructions. The required amount of water is poured into a previously prepared container and the contents of the package are poured into it.

In order to get a homogeneous mass without lumps, you can stir the solution with a drill with a nozzle. After that, the solution is left for a while, and then another approach is made to stir. It is not recommended to use the drill at maximum speed, only low speeds will guarantee the best quality mix.

The process of filling the self-leveling floor with cement

The technology of pouring a cement floor consists in the fact that for a good result it should be poured into two layers, of which the first layer is called the underlying, and the second - the front or finishing.

Pouring the underlying layer contributes to the final leveling of the base, removes all minor irregularities. The result is the perfect finish for the final coat. The thickness of the first layer should not exceed 2 millimeters.

Apply the finishing layer, leveling it with a squeegee. After that, it is necessary to draw a needle roller over the pouring area, capable of removing all the bubbles that affect the quality of the final result. Using the same roller, you can distribute the color over the surface. As soon as the self-leveling floor is dry, the expansion joints should be sealed with a sealant.

To improve the quality of the coating and simplify the production of flooring work, builders and apartment owners are increasingly using self-leveling mixture for self-leveling floors.

Such formulations are easy to prepare and work, as a rule, do not require special skills and are affordable. The building materials market surprises with a variety of CCMs for self-leveling floors, of various qualities and characteristics. Let's consider the specifics of using the mixture, based on what the bulk floor consists of, and the main properties of the pouring result.

Types of mixtures for screed

Depending on the room in which the work is planned to be carried out, as well as what result is to be obtained, various compositions are recommended for use.

Mixes for self-leveling floors for finishing and rough casting differ in the thickness of the possible layer, drying time, strength and, of course, price.

It is customary to distinguish between the types of mixtures according to the following criteria:

fill layer thickness;
type of thinner: water or solvent;
coefficient of electrical conductivity;
layer texture;
base binder.

Most of the basic properties of the mixture for self-leveling floors depend on the main binder.

Basic component	Scope of application	pros	Minuses
Gypsum	Rooms with low humidity (up to 70%)	The thickness of the leveling layer can be up to 10 cm, which makes it possible to hide very significant differences in height at the base; Low thermal conductivity; Budget cost.	Readiness period, drying period is longer than that of cement mortar; They lose strength at high humidity.
Cement	No limits	Fast coating readiness time; Not susceptible to high humidity; High strength.	High price; Thin-layer filling up to 5cm.
Epoxy resin or methyl methacrylate	Without restrictions, more often for non-residential premises.	Daily coverage readiness; Excellent design and decorative features; Can be applied over 3D layouts; Increased wear resistance.	Not suitable for leveling out significant surface defects; Toxic when working; Large solution consumption: more than 1.5 kg per 1m2.
Polyurethane (polyaspartates)	It is more often used in private construction.	High strength; non-slip, abrasion resistant; suitable for pouring sloped surfaces without sagging.	Not resistant to mechanical damage; Long cycle of readiness; High price

Related article: Fireplace stove: romantic and practical

Stage of work

The rough screed is poured with a thick layer

Among other things, the mixture for the self-leveling floor should be distinguished by the stage of the work carried out by it. For the main or black screed, equalizers are used. These mixtures are poured over beacons with a large layer thickness.

They are used to eliminate gross defects in the overlap and height differences. This type of fill dries quickly. You can save on volume by laying a reinforcing mesh in a layer.

Top fill should be no more than 5 cm thick

The upper leveling fill for decorative finishing is carried out with the corresponding compounds in a thin layer of no more than 5 mm.

The mixtures are of high cost and are used as a final leveling.

The solution sets quickly, but the final hardening comes over time.

Some types of mixtures are cast as decorative coatings, usually an epoxy grout for 3D floors.

It is important to understand that finishing mixtures can be applied to virtually any substrate that is indicated on the packaging. But when used for a screed, the composition of a self-leveling floor of a certain brand will have to apply a finishing fill of the same brand.

Compositions

The binder component of the mixture is mixed with mineral additives

Many people will decide, everything is simple, we will mix the floor mixture with our own hands and save money. In theory, the self-leveling floor is not complicated in composition. Moreover, most manufacturers do not hide the elements of the mixture and write them on the packaging.

As mentioned above, there is always one binder component, to which various mineral fillers, additives, additives and of course sand are added.

All these components perform their function and are mixed in a certain proportion. And even if you find proportions and a recipe that manufacturers tend to hide, there will still be a lot of fine lines. What sand? Which faction? What to mix and in what sequence.

Ultimately, it is unlikely that you will be able to save money. Rather, spend extra money on a ready-made dry mortar.

Less complex mixtures for rough screeds can be prepared independently.