Are you tired of waiting weeks for screeds to cure before you can apply microtopping?
In UAE construction, especially for modern micro‑topping finishes, contractors conventionally pour a sand–cement screed, wait at least 28 days to cure, often layer on self-leveling concrete, and still worry about moisture vapor barriers. This chain of steps drives up time, cost, and complexity.
What Is Duraamen’s Param 25M Self‑Levelling Underlayment?
Duraamen’s Param 25M self-leveling underlayment is revolutionizing the way contractors in the UAE prepare floors. With rapid curing, no need for a separate moisture vapor barrier, and the ability to blend with aggregates for thick fills, Param 25M lets you move from substrate to finished floor in a fraction of the time.
- No more 28-day waits: Start your next step in just 48–72 hours.
- Save on materials: Blend with aggregates for deep fills.
- Skip the vapor barrier: Moisture is used up in curing, so you can proceed with confidence.
Technical Considerations
- Moisture validation: Param 25M requires substrate vapor emissions below acceptable thresholds; otherwise, a primer like Perdure MVT is needed.
- Primer requirements: CP1000 applied within 48 hours before the underlayment to ensure bonding.
- Curing: self‑curing (no wet curing needed); avoid air-conditioned drafts or excessive heat for 24 hrs.
Advantages Over Traditional Methods
| Feature | Traditional Screed + Self-leveling | Param 25M System |
| Curing Time | 28+ days | 48–72 hours |
| Moisture Vapor Barrier | Often required | Usually not required |
| Application Steps | Multiple layers | Single pour (with/without blend) |
| Cost (thick fills) | High | Lower with aggregate blend |
| Surface Quality | May require additional leveling | Smooth, ready for microcement |
Best Use Cases
Param 25M is perfect for residential, commercial, and light-industrial interiors where rapid turnaround matters. With proper substrate prep—including cleaning, profiling, primer, and moisture testing- it’s a robust alternative.
Installation Process & System Illustrations
1. Substrate Prep & Primer
The sequence starts with thorough profiling—shot-blasting or scarifying to CSP 4–5—and priming using CP1000 to ensure adhesion. Porous substrates may require two coats of primer.
2. Blended Param 25M Pour
When raising a floor over 12 mm, Param 25M is blended at a 2:1 ratio with 10–12 mm aggregates, allowing pours up to 100–125 mm in a single go. This removes the need for separate sand–cement screeds and self–leveling concrete.
3. Fast Cure & Flooring Readiness
Typical cure times:
- Walkable in 6 to 8 hours
- Ready for microtopping in 24 hours
This dramatically reduces the typical 28‑day screed cure cycle.
4. Finish Layers
Once cured, surfaces are ready for:
- Microtopping / Microcement (Uberdek, Skraffino or Arapido)
- Resinous Floor Coatings
Moisture VPD & Vapor Barrier Insight
Moisture Emission Standards
Param 25M requires substrate moisture vapor emissions < 1.36 kg/m²/24 hr (ASTM F1869) and RH < 80% (ASTM F2170). If exceeded, Perdure MVT epoxy-based vapor barrier is recommended.
Duraamen’s Vapor Barrier Option
| System Components | Screed, Moisture Vapor-Barrier, and Self-Leveling Concrete | Param 25M with Aggregates |
|---|---|---|
| Top Layer | Microtopping | Microtopping |
| Middle Layer | Moisture Vapor Barrier | Param 25M with Aggregates |
| Underlayment | Screed | Concrete Substrate |
| Base/Substrate | Concrete Substrate |
The Perdure MVT is a two-component epoxy system that brings moisture transmission down to 0.023 g/hr/m² (one coat).
| Process Step | Traditional Screed + SLC | Param 25M + Aggregates System |
| Substrate wait time | 28+ days | 6 to 8 hours for walkability, 24 hours ready for the next step |
| Moisture vapor barrier | Usually required | Only if emissions exceed thresholds |
| Layers involved | Screed + SLC + Microcement | Primer + Blended Param 5500 + Microcement |
| Installation complexity | Multi-step with downtime | Fewer steps, faster completion |
Ready-to-Pour in 72 Hours—No Screed, No Hassle
Ditch the 28-day cure—Level floors in 72h with Param 25M
Cut project time and cost: instead of 4+ weeks waiting for screed and self‑levelling concrete, switch to Param 25M mixed with aggregates—go from substrate to finish in just 3 days.
Why It Works:
- Fast cure: walkable in 3–4 hrs, ready for micro‑toppings the next day.
- Moisture locked in: cures internally—no vapor barrier needed when substrate emission is low.
- One-pour simplicity: eliminates multi-layer complexity and saves labor.
Ideal When:
- You need quick turnaround on interior concrete floors.
- Moisture barrier installation is troublesome or costly.
- You want a clean, smooth finish without additional levelling.
Smart Specs:
- Blend 2:1 (25M: Aggregate), pour 4–125 mm in one go.
- Primer tech required? Yes—Paramol within 48 hrs of pour.
- Keep substrate vapor emission <1.36 kg/m²/day and <80 % RH.
Get a quote today to streamline your floor prep and accelerate project delivery!
Accuracy of Duraamen’s Claims
- No 28-Day Wait: Param 25M is walkable in 3–4 hours and can receive microcement or other finishes in 24 hours, drastically reducing downtime12.
- No Moisture Vapor Barrier Needed: If the substrate’s moisture emission is within recommended limits, the moisture used in Param 25M’s curing process means a vapor barrier is generally unnecessary. However, for substrates with very high moisture emission, a vapor barrier may still be recommended2.
- Aggregate Blending: Blending Param 25M with 10–12 mm aggregates at a 2:1 ratio is supported by technical data and industry practice, providing both cost savings and a workable surface23.
- Surface Quality: The 2:1 blend allows for a finish that is often smooth enough to proceed directly to microcement, avoiding the need for another self-leveling layer
Final Thoughts
The claims hold up: Param 25M mixed with aggregates offers a reliable alternative to traditional screed + SLC systems, delivering speed, moisture control, and cost savings. For contractors and flooring specialists in the UAE, it’s worth adopting, just ensure moisture testing and primer procedures are followed.
