Best Self-Levelling Compound in 2023
I am going to tell you what the best self-levelling compound to use is. If you think I am wrong you can fight me in the comments section below, I’ll be ready for you!
Choosing the best self-levelling compound is essential, to a successful job. This guide will tell you the best self-levelling compound to use, purely based on 15 years of my own experience, and countless failed attempts.
The biggest problem you have when using self-levelling compound is choosing the right one, the second biggest problem you face is making a decent job. Fortunately solving the first problem, gets you well on your way to solving the second!
Warning
If you want to find out “what causes self-levelling compound to crack” check out our other article.
I would also say that the key to a successful self-levelling project is choosing the right self-levelling compound. The right self-levelling compound can make the difference between an easy stress-free job or a wet sloppy disaster that turns into a hard immovable disaster.
I have spent hours reading specifications trying to find out if X type of self-levelling compound is suitable for Y type of subfloor or deciding whether or not I need to use a primer.
With this stuff you just pour and go! As you pour it out, it glides over the floor creating its own natural level without you hardly having to do anything. You could almost just stand back and watch the magic happen as it fills in all those nooks and crannies giving you a perfectly smooth and level floor.
It is in the right pre-mixed ratio so no need to get the measuring jugs out. Arditex NA is here to save the day!
Psst…..I’m going to let you into a secret, You can get a perfectly level floor without any technical knowledge or troweling skill required. It will make you look like a superstar tradesman. Here is how…..
Carefully pour out the self-levelling compound bucket by bucket. Run a spiked roller through it to distribute the self-levelling compound and get rid of any air bubbles. Then let the self-levelling compound work its magic. You will be left with a smooth flawless floor, that looks like you’ve had the professionals in. No trowel necessary!
Because I want an easy life, I normally end up using Arditex Na, I have tried different products but I keep going back to this one. I use it for the reasons I have given below, and I have put them in order of their importance.
No need to Prime
Easy to spread due to Latex
Finds its own natural level
Pre-mixed ratio
1 Bag = 1 Tub = 1 Bucket
If you want to calculate how much self-levelling compound you need check out our “Self-Levelling compound calculator”.
Benefits of using Arditex NA Self-levelling compound over other brands
- IT CAN BE USED ANYWHERE – that’s right my main reason for using this product Is that I don’t need to think too hard about where to use it. You got me! Im lazy and I can’t be bothered going down the rabbit hole of self-levelling compounds.
- It’s easy to work with if you are a beginner – flows well around the room.
- Gives a Professional quality Finish
Other slightly less important for using Arditex NA, that are still good to know:
- Pre-mixed ratio – no need to measure things out
- No need to use a primer – just pour it straight on
- Flows well around the room giving you a perfectly level flat surface
- Excellent adhesion to almost all substrates without priming
- Unaffected by moisture
- Install floorcovering from 3 hours
- Suitable for use with Underfloor Heating Systems
- Feather edge 0mm to 12mm in one application
- Apply up to 30mm incorporating Coarse Aggregate
- Can be used where low-odour products are required.
If this is your first time using a self-levelling compound I would recommend this product because it is the easiest self-levelling compound to use. It flows around the room with very little encouragement.
This is Partly because it is mixed with a tub of Latex (this helps to keep the self-levelling cement particles suspended in the solution as it dries) and partly because it comes in a set pre-mixed ratio so you get a perfect bucket full every time.
The only problem with this product is that it is expensive, But it does give you a perfect floor and it is the only product I could recommend. If you have a large pour to do on the ground floor and you are worried about cost, you could always use a cheaper self-levelling compound to build up the floor a bit and then do a 5mm finishing coat with Arditex NA. You will not be disappointed.
Suitable Subfloor Types
Arditex NA self-levelling compound can be applied directly over the following subfloor types with no need to prime or prepare the surface in any way. Although a quick sweep round with a brush never goes a miss.
- upper floors- suspended timber floors, like bathrooms for example.
- old adhesive residues
- Bitumen
- Asphalt
- Tile – Porcelain, Ceramic, or Quarry Tile.
- Chipboard flooring sheets
- Plywood – Even on upper floors with the plywood screwed down to the floorboards.
- Concrete, cement, flooring screed and sand screed
- Prepared terrazzo
- Internal steel floors
- Damp Proof Membranes, porcelain tiles, flooring
- grade plywood etc. It is ideal for use where low
How to mix
How to apply Arditex NA self-levelling compound
Applying Arditex NA self-levelling compound could not be easier. simply follow these steps below:
- Mix the full bag of self-levelling cement and the full tub of latex together in a bucket.
- Mix it together using a cordless drill whisk until it forms a liquid consistency.
- Pour it out into the back corner of the room.
- keep adding the self-levelling compound bucket by bucket slowly working your way out of the room.
- As you work your way back, keep going through the mixture with a spiked roller to Spread the self-levelling compound, distribute it evenly, and remove trapped air bubbles. With this technique, You don’t even need a trowel but it’s still good to have one on standby.
Pro Tip
I have only recommended one product here, because there is only one product I would recommend, I don’t see the point in recommending anything else. I know it will be suitable no matter what your specific situation is, the only place it can’t be used is outside or in areas that will receive heavy vehicle traffic, That’s it!
The only other product I would recommend is a spiked roller of your choosing. I have listed one below but any will do. I am not fussy about spiked rollers but I am fussy about the self-levelling compound.
And you will also need a bucket…
Choosing the right one can make your life a whole lot easier and be the difference between a smooth flat floor or an uneven mess. Armed with these two pieces of equipment you are already ahead of most people and have given yourself a 95% chance of success. If I’m wrong leave a comment below, or leave one if I am right if you fancy.
- How thick can you pour self-levelling compound?
- Can you use self-levelling compound outside?
- Can you use self-levelling compound on asphalt flooring?
- Can self-levelling compound be built up in layers?
- What paint to use on self-levelling compound?
- Do I need to seal concrete before using self-levelling compound?
- Can you use out of date self-levelling compound?
- Does self-levelling compound need a spiked roller?
- Can you use self-levelling compound over chipboard?
- How long does self-levelling compound take to dry
- Can you use self-levelling compound on bitumen?
- Does Self-Levelling Compound Smell?
- Does Self-Levelling Compound Contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?
- Does Self-Levelling Compound Contain Ammonia?
