Your paving project is only as good as the tools you use, and screeding tools help ensure that you will have a smooth surface and even layout when you're done. These tools include screeds, often consisting of long, flat boards with handles at one end that are used to level your surfaces, and straight edges, which are used to check that you've created a level, smooth surface. Together, these tools ensure that your pavers are properly laid and that the job has a neat, even appearance, often beyond the capability of the human eye alone.

Types of Screeding Tools

There are a wide range of screeding tools in your screeding system that can impact your job in different ways:

  • Screeds: Screeds or specialized blades are used to move your material, such as your bedding layer, to flatten across your installation. These tools knock down high spots and allow you to locate and build up low spots, giving you an even surface. Additionally, there are standard screed boards and stand-up screeds that are more ergonomic and keep users from bending over too long or being on hands and knees.

  • Hand and Screeding Level: Great for checking areas for flatness and if they’re level or on the appropriate pitch, hand levels will have a bubble that will indicate when you're level, making it a great option for individual pavers, but not as effective when used across your entire project. Larger levels allow you to span a significant distance to tell if you’re project is pitched or flat as needed. 

  • Laser Levels: Laser levels are very effective tools when checking level and evenness across your entire project. They project a laser hundreds of feet across your work site, allowing you to see where particular areas may be high or low.


Benefits of Investing in Screeding Tools

Screeding and leveling tools are great to ensure that you can lay your project efficiently and accurately, but only when you invest in quality tools. At Pave Tool, we sell every paving and grading tool you may need, from a lightweight aluminum screed to digital altimeters, designed to map your terrain and help you understand setting heights and grades. 

A project completed without these tools can be problematic and time-consuming, cutting into your profitability. They can also lead to uneven surfaces, requiring additional work to correct. Using screeds and straight edges when you're laying concrete pavers ensures that you'll end up with an attractive and professional result, whether you're doing your own project or undertaking construction. If you’d like to find a screed for hardscaping, we have a whole hardscaping equipment collection full of hardscaping tools that are sure to help you get your job done and done right.

At Pave Tool, we were founded on the idea that hardscaping professionals are only as good as their tools, and investing in high-quality, purpose-built tools ensures that you'll get strong results, every time. Watch our instructional video to see how our team works on this process.

 

FAQs

What are screeds or straight edges used for?

Screeds and straight edges are invaluable tools for those installing concrete pavers. These tools ensure that the pavement is level, without any bumps, dips, holes, or cracks. This step is an important part of the paving process, and making sure that a proper screeding bar is available can be the difference between straight ground and a lumpy, misshapen patch of concrete.

What is the best way to screed?

The best way to screed is to first lay the pavers, and then run a board over the top. The board should be wider than the pavers and it should be adjusted as needed to make sure that all the pavers are even with each other. Finally, use a level to ensure the pavers are all at the same height before the screeding is completed. Taking these steps ensures that your concrete pavers will be properly and evenly screeded for years to come.

To do screeding most efficiently, you should do it in sections, screeding it in batches. This allows a more consistent result from the screeding. If you run into any voids or gaps that can’t be reached, you should continue to screed. Complete the process until the slab is done.