A Good Surface is Key
A well-finished, long-lasting floor looks beautiful each and every day of its life, and not only because of the floor covering/coating on top, but also the sub-floor preparation and layers underneath. The successfully designed system takes into account a multitude of things including what the area is intended, existing substrate material and site conditions amongst various other considerations.
Trust Sika floor experts to help you choose a sub-floor preparation system – from priming and moisture barriers to leveling compounds and screeds – all perfectly compatible with Sika’s floor systems and other flooring materials on top.
Our SikaFloor Level Range includes:
Frequently asked questions
A cement levelling system is a cement-based underlayment used to correct uneven or irregular substrates and create a flat, smooth and consistent surface ready for the installation of floor coverings.
It is commonly used over new or existing concrete where there are variations in floor level, rough surfaces or imperfections that could affect the appearance and performance of the finished floor. Cement levelling compounds can be applied in different thicknesses depending on the condition of the substrate and project requirements.
Sika Australia offers a range of Sikafloor® cement levelling systems for commercial and residential applications, including solutions suitable for small areas through to large-scale floor levelling projects.
Correct substrate preparation, product selection and installation are important to provide a stable, level and suitable surface for the final floor covering.
The right self-levelling compound depends on the condition of the concrete, required build-up thickness, installation environment and the final floor covering. Sika Australia offers several Sikafloor® levelling solutions for different project requirements.
Options include Sikafloor® Level TOP and Sikafloor® Level PRO for levelling uneven internal concrete, Sikafloor® Level Eco for higher-build applications up to 75 mm, and Sikafloor® Level Ultra, a fibre-reinforced, high-performance solution suitable for internal and external concrete substrates.
Sikafloor®-4020 FiberLevel is a fast-drying, fibre-reinforced hybrid self-levelling compound for interior applications. It can be used over new or old concrete and is particularly versatile where semi-flexible or alternative substrates are involved, including soundly fixed timber, plywood, CFC sheeting and soundly adhered tiles, stone or vinyl. It can be applied from 3 to 20 mm.
Correct priming is an important part of the levelling system. Depending on the substrate and selected levelling compound, Sika options include Sikafloor®-01 Primer (AU) and Sikafloor®-08 Primer. These primers can be diluted for porous concrete or applied neat on specified non-porous or semi-flexible substrates in accordance with the relevant Product Data Sheet.
The substrate should always be assessed for surface condition, porosity, required levelling depth and final floor covering before selecting the levelling compound and primer.
A self-levelling cement compound is applied over a sound, clean and properly prepared concrete substrate to create a smooth, level surface ready for the final floor covering.
The concrete is first prepared to remove dust, laitance, contamination and loose material. A compatible Sikafloor® primer is then applied before the levelling compound is mixed with clean water and poured or pumped onto the floor. The material is spread to the required thickness and allowed to flow and level across the surface. Sika Australia offers compatible primers, moisture barriers and levelling compounds as part of its subfloor preparation range.
Once sufficiently dry, the levelled surface provides a smooth and consistent base for the selected floor covering. Product-specific requirements for preparation, priming, application thickness and drying time should always be followed.
Cement levelling compounds are commonly used to create a smooth, level and consistent substrate before installing tiles, vinyl, timber and other floor coverings. Sika Australia offers a range of Sikafloor® levelling systems designed as underlayments for commercial and residential flooring applications.
The appropriate levelling compound should be selected based on the existing substrate, required thickness, moisture conditions and type of floor covering. For example, Sikafloor®-4020 FiberLevel is suitable for a wide range of floor coverings and can be used over concrete as well as selected semi-flexible substrates.
Correct substrate preparation, priming and drying time are essential before installing the final flooring. Always refer to the relevant Sikafloor® Product Data Sheet and the requirements of the flooring or adhesive manufacturer before installation.
Self-levelling compounds are suitable for both residential and commercial renovation projects, providing an efficient way to correct uneven substrates and create a smooth, level base before the installation of floor coverings. Sika Australia offers Sikafloor® levelling products specifically recommended as underlayments for both residential and commercial applications.
Products such as Sikafloor® Level PRO and Sikafloor® Level TOP are suitable for new or existing internal concrete, while Sikafloor® Level Eco provides a higher-build option for deeper levelling requirements. Sikafloor® Level Ultra can be used on both internal and external concrete substrates.
The appropriate system should be selected based on the existing substrate, required thickness, project environment and final floor covering, with correct preparation and priming carried out before application.
Curing and drying times depend on the Sikafloor® levelling compound, application thickness, temperature, humidity and type of floor covering.
Sika Australia offers fast-drying options such as Sikafloor®-4020 FiberLevel, which can receive tiles or stone after approximately 5–6 hours and moisture-sensitive flooring after 6–7 hours at 23°C. Sikafloor® Level Ultra allows tiles or stone after approximately 5–6 hours and moisture-sensitive flooring after 7–8 hours at 23°C.
Other products require longer drying times. Sikafloor® Level TOP requires approximately 18 hours at 23°C before impervious floor coverings, while Sikafloor® Level Eco generally requires 24 hours or more.
Actual drying time can vary with site conditions and application thickness, so the relevant Sikafloor® Product Data Sheet and moisture requirements of the final floor covering should always be followed before installation.
Proper substrate preparation is essential to achieve a strong, smooth and durable levelling system. The substrate should be sound, clean and free from dust, loose material and contaminants that could affect adhesion.
Cracks, holes and damaged areas should be repaired as required, and the surface should be prepared to suit the condition and porosity of the substrate. A compatible Sikafloor® primer should then be applied before the levelling compound to help control substrate porosity and improve adhesion.
Sika Australia offers primers including Sikafloor®-01 Primer, Sikafloor®-08 Primer and Sikafloor® Level Pro Primer, with the appropriate product and application method selected according to the substrate and levelling system.
Always check the relevant Sikafloor® Product Data Sheet for the required surface preparation, primer, substrate condition and application requirements before installation.
Cement levelling systems can correct significantly uneven concrete floors, provided the substrate is sound and properly prepared. Sika Australia offers solutions for different levelling depths, including Sikafloor® Level Eco, which is designed for high-build applications and can level uneven concrete from 3 to 75 mm. Sikafloor® Level TOP can also accommodate thicker applications when extended with suitable aggregate.
For damaged concrete, deep defects or localised repairs, repairs should be completed before applying the levelling compound. Sikafloor®-050 Ramp and Patch is designed for patching damaged concrete and correcting localised level differences before subsequent flooring installation.
The appropriate solution will depend on the condition of the concrete, depth of repair, required finished level and final floor covering. Severely deteriorated or structurally unsound concrete should be repaired before a levelling system is installed.
An uneven or cracked finish can result from incorrect substrate preparation, inadequate priming, incorrect water addition, poor mixing, unsuitable application thickness or unfavourable site conditions. Sika Australia notes that adding excess water or not following the specified mixing procedure can result in surface irregularities and potential product failure.
Correct priming is also important to control substrate porosity and promote good adhesion. Sikafloor® primers are designed to prepare the substrate and improve the bond with the levelling compound.
Temperature, airflow and humidity can also affect the setting and drying process. The selected Sikafloor® levelling compound should always be installed within its specified thickness, mixing ratio and environmental conditions to achieve a smooth, consistent finish.
Using the right screeding tools and self leveling tools helps achieve consistent mixing, application thickness and a smooth finished surface. Typical tools include mechanical mixers, mixing vessels, gauged spreaders and finishing tools. Depending on the selected Sika levelling compound, application may be completed manually or with suitable pumping equipment. A vibrating screed or other concrete self leveling tools may be used if specified for the product.
The required equipment can vary depending on floor area, application thickness and product selected. Follow the relevant Sika Product Data Sheet for specific application requirements. Sikafloor® Level TOP suits pump or manual application, while Sikafloor® Level Ultra is simply mixed and applied.