Schlüter-BEKOTEC-EN-F  Universal studded screed panel

The reliable Schlüter-BEKOTEC covering assembly technology is a system for crack-free and functionally safe floating screeds and heated screeds, with coverings made of ceramics, natural stone and other materials.

The system is based on the studded screed foil panel Schlüter-BEKOTEC-EN 23 F, which is directly installed on top of a load bearing substrate and/or over conventional heat insulation and sound insulation panels. The geometry of the BEKOTEC-EN 23 F studded panel dictates a minimum screed layer thickness of 31 mm between and 8 mm above the studs. The stud spacing allows for clamping the heating pipes of the system, which have a 14 mm diameter, in a 75 mm grid to produce a heated screed.

Since only a relatively small amount of screed has to be heated or cooled (with a coverage of 8 mm, approx. 57 kg/m2 ≙ 28.5 l/m²), the floor heating system is easily adjustable and ideally suited for operation at low supply temperatures.

The curing stresses that occur in the screed due to shrinkage are absorbed by the studded pattern. Stresses resulting from contraction buckling do not, therefore, affect the entire area, and it is not necessary to install movement joints in the screed. Once the cement screed is ready to support weight, the Schlüter-DITRA uncoupling mat (alternatively, Schlüter-DITRA-DRAIN 4 or Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT) is installed (gypsum-based screed ≤ 2 CM %). The ceramic tiles or natural stone are then installed directly over this layer, using the thin-bed method. Movement joints in the covering layer have to be created with Schlüter-DILEX according to industry standards.

Covering materials that are not susceptible to cracking, such as parquet or carpeting, are installed directly over the screed as soon as it reaches the corresponding residual moisture level.

Technical data

1. Stud size:
   approx. 20 mm for small studs
   approx. 65 mm for large studs
   Installation spacing: 75 mm
   Matching heating pipes: ø 14 mm
   The studs have a cutback design to securely keep heating pipes in place without the need for clamps.
2. Connections:
   The studded panels are connected by overlapping a row of studs and interlocking the panels together.
3. Working area: 1.2 x 0.9 m = 1.08 m²
   Panel height: 23 mm
4. Packaging: 10 units/box = 10.8 m²
   Box dimensions are approx. 1355 x 1020 x 195 cm.

• Warranty:
  Schlüter-Systems offers a five-year warranty for the life of the covering assembly, provided all installation instructions were observed and the covering is used as intended.
• Crack-free covering:
  The BEKOTEC system is designed to reduce shearing tensions of the screed within the grid of the studded panel. No construction reinforcement is required.
• Low-buckling construction:
  The covering assembly of the BEKOTEC system is free of inherent stresses. Consequently, no buckling can occur in the area. This applies in particular to stresses resulting from temperature fluctuations, e.g. in heated screeds.
• Joint-free screed:
  No expansion joints are needed in the screed since the BEKOTEC system evenly distributes any shearing tension in the screed across the entire area.
• Movement joint in the joint pattern of the tile or paver covering:
  The BEKOTEC system allows for aligning the design of movement joints to the selected joint pattern of the covering for tile or paver coverings since expansion joints from the screed do not have to be continued into the top covering. The applicable regulations for the placement and construction of movement joints in and around the tile field must be observed.
• Short construction time:
  The uncoupling mat ensures that the screed created with the BEKOTEC system is ready for covering with ceramic tiles, natural stone or agglomerate stone as soon as the screed is ready to bear weight. Ceramic thermal comfort floors are ready for heating only seven days after the completion of the cover assembly.
• Low construction height:
  Compared to a heated screed according to DIN 18 560-2, the BEKOTEC system saves an assembly height of up to 37 mm.
• Low material requirements:
  With a screed coverage of 8 mm, only approx. 57 kg/m² ≙ 28.5 l/m² screed volume is needed. This advantage is also reflected in the static calculations.
• Fast responding floor heating system:
  A covering assembly using the BEKOTEC system in conjunction with a floor heating system is able to respond to temperature changes faster than a conventional heated screed since the volume to be heated or cooled is significantly smaller. This allows for operating the floor heating system in the low temperature range to save energy.

1. Install Schlüter-BEKOTEC-EN 23 F on a sufficiently weight-bearing and level substrate. The substrates must be even and have no point-like protrusions (e.g. mortar residue). Correct uneven sections in the floor with screeds or suitable bound fill in advance. If required, install suitable insulation materials over the substrate in accordance with the applicable sound insulation and/or heat insulation requirements where necessary.

   If cables or pipes are installed on the weight-bearing substrate, the sound insulation must cover the full levelling layer as specified in DIN 18560-2. The max. compressive strength CP3 (≤ 3 mm) must be taken into consideration to select a suitable insulation material. If the construction height is insufficient for using polystyrene or mineral fibre insulation, Schlüter-BEKOTEC-BTS in a thickness of just 5 mm can significantly improve the sound insulation.

2. Adhere the 8 mm edge strip Schlüter-BEKOTEC-BRS 808 KSF in places where the covering adjoins walls and other construction elements.

   The adhesive leg integrated in the edging strip features a self-adhesive strip on both sides for attachment. The edging strip is pressed towards the wall by the adhesion on the substrate or the top insulation layer and the pre-tensioning of the integrated foil leg. When the BEKOTEC studded panel is placed on top of the adhesive leg, the panel bonds with the substrate and flowing screed can no longer flow underneath the panel.

3. The BEKOTEC-EN 23 F studded panels must be precisely cut to size in the edge areas. The BEKOTEC panels are connected by overlapping a row of studs.

   In door threshold areas and near distributor boxes, the Schlüter-BEKOTEC-ENFG smooth levelling panel may be used to simplify the pipe installation. It is installed below the studded panels and adhered with double-sided adhesive strips. The Schlüter-BEKOTEC-ZRKL self-adhesive pipe clamping strip enables precise pipe layout in these areas. It may be necessary to adhere the panels to the substrate, for example if the reset force of the pipes is relatively high (in small rooms with tight pipe radiuses). The Schlüter-BEKOTEC-BTZDK66 double-sided adhesive tape can be used for this purpose.

4. Clamp the system pipes with a diameter of 14 mm between the cutback studs to create a Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM floor heating system. The spacing of the pipes must be determined on the basis of the required heating output, as shown in the Schlüter-BEKOTEC heating diagrams.
5. As part of the screed installation, install fresh cement screed of screed quality CT-C25-F4, max. F5, or gypsum based screed CA-C25-F4, max. F5, over the studded panels with a minimum screed cover of 8 mm (recommended aggregate size 0-4 mm). The layer thickness can be partially increased to max. 25 mm for levelling. When installing a flowing screed, carefully place the studded panels and seal the abutting edges/end points. Make sure that the screed does not flow underneath the BEKOTEC panels. Observe the system approval for this application.

   Note: Please contact our Technical Department in advance to discuss different screed properties for specific projects. To prevent impact sound transmission between two rooms, separate the screed in the relevant places with the Schlüter-DILEX-DFP expansion joint profile.

6. The DITRA uncoupling mat (or, alternatively, DITRA-DRAIN 4 or DITRA-HEAT) can be installed in accordance with the installation instructions of the relevant product data sheets as soon as the screed is ready to bear weight. The uncoupling mat can be installed over gypsum-based screeds as soon as they have reached a residual moisture level of 2 CM % or less.
7. Coverings of ceramic tile or natural stone can then be directly installed on top of the uncoupling mat, using the thin bed method. Divide the covering above the uncoupling mat into fields, using movement joints in accordance with the applicable regulations. We recommend the Schlüter-DILEX-BWB, Schlüter-DILEX-BWS, Schlüter-DILEX-KS or Schlüter-DILEX-AKWS movement joint profiles for creating movement joints (see product data sheets 4.6 - 4.8 and 4.18).
8. Install the Schlüter-DILEX-EK or Schlüter-DILEX-RF corner movement profile as a flexible edge joint in the area of the floor/wall transition (see product data sheet 4.14). Cut off the protruding part of the Schlüter-BEKOTEC-BRS edging strip in advance.
9. If the Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM ceramic thermal comfort floor is to function as a floor heating system, the full covering assembly is ready for heating just seven days after completion. Start from a water temperature of 25 degrees C and increase the supply temperature by no more than 5 degrees C a day until the desired usage temperature has been reached.
10. Covering materials that are not susceptible to cracking (e.g. parquet, carpet or vinyl coverings) can be installed without the uncoupling mat, directly on top of the BEKOTEC screed. The screed thickness must be adjusted to the relevant material thicknesses.
    Note: In addition to the applicable installation guidelines, the permissible residual moisture level of the screed must be observed for the selected covering material. For detailed installation instructions in conjunction with non-ceramic surface coverings, please refer to our technical manual for Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM or contact our Technical Department.