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Testimonials: Renovation of older buildings
How easy is it to retrofit BEKOTEC-THERM and DITRA-HEAT-E in older buildings? Some of our customers have the opportunity to speak and provide an insight into their expectations and positive experiences.
Simple installation. Cosy warmth. Economical consumption.
Anybody who has ever enjoyed underfloor heating will never want to do without it again. Also a growing number of owners of older and existing buildings appreciate their pleasant and evenly distributed heat. The ideal system for this? Our customers are in agreement: BEKOTEC-THERM and DITRA-HEAT-E from Schlüter-Systems are the perfect choice for modernisers and renovators.
Modern and effective heating in older buildings – with Schlüter-Systems
Heat generation is just one aspect; heat distribution is the other. Floor heating systems are highly impressive in a variety of ways. After all, they contribute an enormous amount to the savings and efficiency of the heating system. And they have a profound influence on comfort in living spaces. We at Schlüter-Systems are aware of all this – and have therefore developed two floor heating systems, BEKOTEC-THERM and DITRA-HEAT-E, which do exactly that. Even for retrofitting in existing buildings.
Real people, genuine opinions
The Altmann-Beesk, Fleege and Krause families scrutinised BEKOTEC-THERM in detail when modernising their older buildings. The result? They were enthusiastic about the many benefits that the floor heating system offers from the very first day of installation – and awarded top marks for product features such as installation time, functionality, safety, comfort, wholesome living and hygiene.
In-depth consultation, on-site assessment with meticulous attention to every detail, coordination and organisation of appointments and trades, laying and installation of the BEKOTEC-THERM and/or DITRA-HEAT-E system:
The Schlüter consultants are ready to work together with you to fulfil your wishes for a comfortable home.
Step 1
Defining expectations and wishes
Playing with the children on the floor. Walking around the home without slippers or even barefoot. Freedom in interior design and furnishings. And heat in a cost-saving, energy-efficient and ecological way. There are many expectations and wishes for the installation of a floor heating system – and they often materialise with different levels of priority.
But especially for modernisers and renovators, the all-important question is: can floor heating system be retrofitted in older buildings at all? Is it worthwhile? What has to be taken into account?
Compared to the usual conventional radiator heating systems, we long for better and cosier living and well-being.
(The Fleege family, house built in 1954)
We anticipate an even distribution of heat, thus improving the indoor climate. By removing the radiators, we can look forward to more living space and a more refined look.
(The Krause family, house built in 2001)
Step 2
In-depth consultation
From A for "access" to Z for "zones" – our Schlüter technical consultants are 100 per cent experts and provide you with professional advice. At the construction site, they take a close look at the structural conditions: What is the floor assembly like and what kind of floor system does the height of your rooms allow? How many square metres are to be equipped with the floor heating system and in which heating zones? Are there any special requests that need to be taken into account?
On the basis of this, Schlüter consultants will recommend the best solution for you and the most suitable BEKOTEC-THERM system. The next step is to agree the work schedule with other trades such as heating engineers, screed layers and tilers.
We thought that owning a BEKOTEC-THERM was probably just a dream. We immediately fell in love with it and really wanted to have this floor heating system.
(The Altmann-Beesk family, house built in 1975)
Step 3
Making the preparations
Enough of the preliminary theoretical considerations, now it's time to get down to work. Firstly, the existing floor coverings – laminate, carpets, tiles – including any adhesive residues have to be removed. The focus then shifts to the substrate. For optimum heat transfer, it should be smooth, dry and clean. Irregularities may need to be repaired by applying a levelling compound.
Step 4
Installation of BEKOTEC-THERM
The BEKOTEC-THERM water-based floor heating system can now be installed. The key element is a special, studded carrier panel made of polystyrene or foil material – for retrofitting in older buildings, BEKOTEC-EN-18-FTS, BEKOTEC-EN-12-FK or BEKOTEC-EN-12-FPS is the best choice. The heating pipes are self-clamping and installed at the specified spacing in the studded panel. The spacing between them can be individually adapted to the heating requirements and the size of the room.
A conventional screed mortar or flowing screed is applied on top, which only needs to cover the studs by a minimum of 8 mm. Once the screed is dry, it can be walked on roughly 24 hours later and the DITRA uncoupling mat included in the system can be installed on top. This is followed by the installation of the ceramic floor covering. 7 days later, the screed can begin to heat up – depending on the supply temperature, this takes just 2 to 3 days.
The incredibly tight schedule for demolition and installation of the heating system and tiles was adhered to as planned. Hats off to Schlüter-Systems for the excellent coordination.
(The Krause family)
We especially appreciated the fact that the thin-layer screed was laid after the BEKOTEC-THERM system had been installed and that we were able to start laying the tiles after just a weekend of drying time.
(The Fleege family)
After just 4 working days, everything was installed and connected. The entire site already looked quite homely, pleasantly orange after all the construction site grey beforehand.
(The Altmann-Beesk family)
Step 5
Enjoying the comfort of home
Thanks to its low assembly height and innovative control technology, BEKOTEC-THERM enables a pleasant and healthy indoor climate – without long waiting times and with energy savings. The intelligent structure distributes the warmth quickly and evenly across the surface.
The system makes use of the excellent heat conductivity and thermal storage capacity of ceramic tiles or natural stone pavers. This also enables cost-effective reduced night temperature settings. The mild radiant heat is also a positive for allergy sufferers: the heat causes extremely little air movement, so that hardly any dust is whirled up. Pure comfort!
Where there are no more radiators, empty areas are revealed. The gain in living space from installing a floor heating system is enormous.
(The Krause family)The feeling of warmth in the rooms with BEKOTEC-THERM is noticeably more pleasant and cosy than with wall-mounted radiators. Everything is friendlier and more cosy. Thanks to the low supply temperatures, we also save on gas and a lower amount of CO² is emitted. This protects the environment and our wallet.
(The Fleege family)
