This section provides an overview for leveling compound as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 8 leveling compound manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked leveling compound companies as of November, 2024: 1.TEC, 2.MAPEI.
Table of Contents
Leveling Compound is a building material used to prepare the base of a concrete floor.
It is a slightly viscous liquid that spreads smoothly over a floor surface when poured onto it. When installing, it is simply poured onto the floor surface and lightly smoothed down with a paddle or similar tool.
The fluidity of the material naturally spreads horizontally on the floor surface, making the concrete floor surface smooth. Leveling Compound is relatively easy to apply and provides a smooth finish equal to or better than a conventional trowel finish.
Leveling Compound is a construction material that adjusts the base of a concrete floor. Therefore, they are useful for adjusting the subflooring of facilities used by humans, such as condominiums, buildings, schools, and hospitals, as well as facilities where heavy objects are moved, such as factories and parking lots where heavy objects such as forklifts are used.
It is also suitable for adjusting the underlayment of floors to be waterproofed, so it is used for adjusting the underlayment of floors in food factories and kitchens that use a lot of water. They are also used in both new construction and renovation work as ground preparation to form a smooth surface prior to the installation of tiles and other floor coverings and the application of waterproofing paint on rooftops.
Leveling Compound has the characteristic of flowing smoothly with its own fluidity, so that a uniform flat surface can be formed simply by lightly smoothing it with a trowel or trowel. In many flooring projects, the floor finish material is applied after the surface preparation. If the surface is not smooth, the unevenness of the floor will be noticeable due to light reflection after the floor finish material is applied.
In the past, mortar was often used. When mortar is used for surface preparation, water, cement, and sand are mixed together, and then the craftsman manually applies the mixture to the floor with a trowel, little by little. Therefore, the smoothness of the surface is largely dependent on the skill of the craftsman, and there was a disadvantage that the quality tended to vary.
However, with Leveling Compound, a smooth surface can be formed simply by lightly smoothing the surface with a trowel or paddle, thus forming a smooth base without depending on the skill of the craftsman.
Leveling Compounds can be broadly classified into two types: gypsum-based and cement-based.
Gypsum has the property of slightly expanding in a hydration reaction and then not contracting. Therefore, gypsum-based Leveling Compounds, whose main component is gypsum, have the effect of increasing dimensional stability and reducing the occurrence of lifting and cracking.
The quality standards for cementitious leveling materials are set higher than those for gypsum leveling materials in terms of compressive strength and strength of substrate adhesion and surface adhesion, as stated in JASS, the standard specifications for building construction by the Architectural Institute of Japan. Therefore, there are many high-strength products available, and they are also characterized by their resistance to water after curing.
Surface Preparation
Clean the floor surface to remove sand and dust. At this time, also remove any fragile parts of the floor. It is also very important to prevent leakage around the installation area to prevent material from flowing outside of the installation area. Mortar is often used for this purpose.
The next step is to apply a primer that improves the adhesion of the material to the floor surface and allow it to dry. The treatment must be applied and allowed to dry at least one day prior to pouring.
Mixing
Leveling Compound is put into a container containing the specified amount of water and kneaded with a hand mixer or grout mixer.
Pouring
The kneaded material is poured over the floor until the desired thickness of the Leveling Compound layer is achieved. The kneaded material flows smoothly on its own, but ripples may form on the surface, and air bubbles generated by the floor (frame) may remain in the applied layer.
Curing
The next step is the curing process for drying. At this point, rapid drying should be avoided. Close windows to prevent wind from blowing. By closing windows, ripples caused by wind on the surface can be prevented.
If the finish is applied before the coating layer is dry enough, the moisture in the coating layer will cause the finish to peel off. The standard moisture content is about 5% to be able to apply the finishing material.
When Leveling Compound is applied, it dries in about one day, and the construction period is shorter than that of mortar, which requires several days to dry. In addition, construction may be less expensive than conventional flooring materials.
Comparing the cost of materials alone, mortar is less expensive. However, costs may increase due to the need to unload water, cement, and sand, which takes several days to dry and lengthens the construction period.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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ARDEX Americas, established in 1978 and headquartered in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, operates as a manufacturer of high-performance building products and construction supplies. The company's product range includes Henry flooring adhesives, tile & stone installation systems, exterior tile & stone systems, engineered concrete repair systems (ECRS), ARDEX concrete management systems (ACMS), and more. These products find application across diverse industries such as commercial, education, healthcare, military and government, transportation, and more. It offers its products under five brand names, which include Ardex, Henry, DTA, Pandamo, and Ceramfix.
Sika Corporation, U.S., established in 1937 and based in Lyndhurst, NJ, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of systems and products for construction. The company's product range includes Adhesives and sealants, Concrete, Roofing, Waterproofing and coatings, and Residential Repairs. These products are used for construction from roof to floor, home improvements, industrial manufacturing processes, and automotive manufacturing. The company serves industries such as Construction, Residential & Home Improvement, Industry & Manufacturing, and Automotive Manufacturing. The company's specialties include Façade and walls, Flooring, Repair & Protection, and Expansion Joints.
Quikrete Companies, established in 1940 and located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a manufacturer and distributor of concrete and cement products. The company offers various products, including concrete, mortar mixes, stucco & masonry, concrete crack sealants, and more. It also specializes in tile settings, cold patches, sealants, and bonding agents as well as packaged concrete and mortar mixes, which come in various formulations for different applications. The company has received the "Most Preferred Brand of Concrete" award from the Harris Poll EquiTrend Study, and serves industries such as construction, contracting, infrastructure, and more.
CUSTOM Building Products, established in 1964 and headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, California, USA, is a manufacturer and service supplier of tile installation and flooring preparation solutions. It provides a diverse product range primarily categorized into primers, self-leveling underlayments, and fiber-reinforced self-leveling underlayments. Its offerings address diverse job conditions and requirements, providing effective solutions for shower waterproofing, crack prevention, thin-set mortars, performance grouts, and tile sealers. The company stands by its tile installation products by offering robust lifetime warranties.
Savogran Co. is a manufacturer of specialty chemicals and cleaning products based in Massachusetts, USA, since 1875. The company started manufacturing "Savogran" soap for hotels and public institutions. Now, the company offers chemicals, primarily serving the home improvement, construction, and DIY (do-it-yourself) markets. The company manufactures paint and coating removers, cleaning solutions, wood care, and specialty chemicals. The company produces eco-friendly and biodegradable chemicals, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable options.
MAPEI was founded in 1937 in Milan, Italy, and develops and manufactures products and solutions for the building industry. The company’s product line includes installation systems for floor covering, waterproofing, tile and stone, and concrete restoration, as well as products for structural strengthening, decorative coatings, and underground construction projects. It is growing into the market of sustainable construction solutions by developing eco-friendly products and technologies, operating with 90 plants in 35 countries with over 7,000 products. It assists small- and large-scale projects, from private homes to conserving historical buildings with low environmental impact.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | TEC |
66.7%
|
2 | MAPEI |
33.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the leveling compound page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 6 | 100.0% |