Best Dapple Bars For Screed & Concrete

Posted on: 29th October 2017

Green Metex dapple bar being used on site to dapple screed by a worker wearing orange hi vis
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Last Updated: June 2026

If you want to do the best job it will always help if you have the best tools for that job. So if you are in the business of laying liquid screed floors or flowing concrete,  and want to achieve the best possible finish then take a look at the Metex Dapple Bars! Here’s a quick overview of our range.

In brief: After liquid screed or self-compacting concrete is poured, the surface is worked with a dapple bar to remove trapped air and achieve a smooth, even finish. The bar is moved through the material in a wave motion, first more vigorously to chase out air bubbles, then more lightly to close the surface. Metex make aluminium dapple bars for liquid screed and powder-coated mild steel bars for flowing concrete, in lengths from 900mm to 3 metres. Aluminium bars are lighter and easier to handle across a large pour; the steel bars are built for the heavier consistency of concrete sub-bases.

Who Are Metex?

Metex are a British company who work with British manufacturers to supply the construction trades with innovative, high quality & highly effective products. These products are all designed to save the construction trades time and money. All of the products promoted by Metex have been extensively tested in real construction scenarios before being released onto the market.
We continually assess the needs and requirements of the construction sector with a view to better serving construction companies and tradespeople with innovative products and solutions that will make the industry more efficient, add real value and produce better project results.

Dappling Bars from Metex

Our Dapple Bars and Dapple Bar sets have been designed and tested for ease of use, quality of finish, ease of maintenance and durability which all adds up to deliver excellent value for money. Our dapple bar range is divided into Flowing Concrete Dapple Bars and Liquid Screed Dapple Bars and Dapple Bar Sets.

Flowing Concrete Dapple Bars

We offer 2 metre steel dapple bars for use with flowing concrete.

  • These dappling bars are manufactured to the highest standards using high quality mild steel which is then fully powder coated for easy cleaning and a longer (corrosion free) life.
  • These dapple bars are ideal for concrete sub bases and footings.
  • They feature height adjustable handles with a single 90 degree comfort grip.
  • The 2 metre bottom bar has a 38mm diameter to ensure the perfect surface finish is achieved.

Metes dapple bar range

Liquid Screed Dapple Bars and Dapple Bar Sets

Aluminium Dapple Bar Set – 2 Bars

This dappling bar set features two high quality, lightweight, fully powder coated aluminium dapple bars for working flowing screed.
There is a fully welded 900mm bar with a single cranked handle and a fully welded 2metre double cranked handle dapple bar.
Both bars have a 38mm aluminium bottom bar to create the perfect finish and ‘wave’ on site.

Three Bar Aluminium Dapple Bar Set

This is a high quality lightweight, fully powder coated aluminium dapple bar set. It comprises:

  • 1 x fully welded 900mm bar featuring a single cranked handle
  • 1 x 2 metre wide fully welded bar with twin cranked handles
  • 1 x 3 metre bar with a separate handle section. The installation and removal of handle section is via two ultra-robust stainless steel thumb screws allowing easy van transport and storage.
  • All three aluminium dapple bars in this set feature a 38mm aluminium bottom bar to create the required ‘wave’ and perfect finish on site

Both the 900mm and the 2 metre Liquid Screed Aluminium Dapple Bars are also available individually.

So, if you are working with liquid screed or flowing concrete and having the right tools for the job is important to you use the Metex Dapple Bars. Perfect results every time and excellent value for money.

Any questions at all please call us – we’d be happy to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions

A dapple bar is a long-handled tool used to work the surface of liquid screed or self-compacting concrete immediately after it has been poured. It is moved through the material in a wave-like motion to release trapped air bubbles and achieve a smooth, even surface finish. The process is done twice: a first more vigorous pass to chase out air, and a second lighter pass to close the surface without disturbing it. Getting the dappling right is one of the most important steps in achieving a flat, consistent floor.

The key difference is the material they are made from and the weight of the bar. Liquid screed dapple bars are made from aluminium, which keeps them light and easy to handle across a large pour where the tool is in use for an extended period. Concrete dapple bars are made from powder-coated mild steel, which gives them the weight and strength needed to work through the heavier consistency of flowing concrete. Using the wrong bar for the material makes the job harder and can affect the quality of the finish.

The right length depends on the size of the area being poured and how you need to work it. A 900mm bar is useful for working close to edges, in tight spaces like doorframes, and for the second finishing pass. A 2 metre bar is the standard workhorse for most pours, covering ground quickly and keeping you out of the wet material. A 3 metre bar is used on larger commercial pours where covering the surface efficiently matters more than manoeuvrability. Many screeding contractors keep a set of two or three lengths to cover all situations.

Stand at the edge of the poured area and work the bar through the screed or concrete in a smooth wave motion, moving it from side to side as you pull it towards you. The first pass should be firm enough to agitate the material and bring air bubbles to the surface. The second pass is lighter, using just enough movement to close the surface without pulling material out of position. Keep the bar moving continuously and avoid stopping mid-pass, as this can leave marks in the surface that show up in the finished floor.

Clean the bar immediately after use, before any screed or concrete has the chance to set on it. Dried screed on the bar body is difficult to remove and will affect the surface finish on the next pour. Wash the bar down with clean water, paying particular attention to the bottom bar where material builds up most heavily. Aluminium bars are particularly easy to clean as the powder coating prevents the material from bonding strongly to the surface.

Yes. Metex offer a two-bar aluminium dapple bar set containing a 900mm bar with a single cranked handle and a 2 metre bar with twin cranked handles, and a three-bar set that adds a 3 metre bar with a removable handle section for easy transport and storage in the van. Both sets feature a 38mm aluminium bottom bar, which is the standard diameter for achieving the correct wave and surface finish on liquid screed pours. Individual bars from the range are also available separately if you need to add to an existing set.

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