Schlüter-BEKOTEC-EN-F-PS  The self-adhesive, all-round studded panel

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

This system is based on the studded screed foil panel Schlüter-BEKOTEC-EN-23-F-PS, which is directly adhered on top of a load bearing substrate and/or over conventional heat insulation and sound insulation panels. The special pressure-sensitive adhesive on the underside of the studded panel achieves an excellent bond with the substrate. 

The geometry of the BEKOTEC-EN-23-F-PS 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 diameter of 14 mm and 16 mm*, 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.

1. Install BEKOTEC-EN-23-F-PS on a sufficiently weight-bearing and level substrate that has no point-like protrusions (e.g. mortar residue). Carefully inspect the substrate to make sure it is clean and compatible with the materials to be used. Remove any surface components that could weaken the bond. Thoroughly vacuum the substrate prior to installation to remove all dust.
   
2. Note: Although it is not mandatory to apply a primer, a standard primer without coarse components such as quartz sand may be used if the condition of the substrate necessitates it.
   
   Correct uneven sections in the floor with screeds or suitable levelling compounds 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.
3. Adhere the Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-BRS-808-KSF 8 mm edge strip 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.
   
4. The BEKOTEC-EN-23-F-PS studded panels must be precisely cut to size in the edge areas. The BEKOTEC panels are connected by overlapping a row of studs. To install the studded panel, peel the release film off BEKOTEC-EN-23-F-PS and place the panel on the substrate. It can be lifted and re-positioned providing no pressure has been applied to it. However, the pressure sensitive adhesive on the underside will firmly stick the studded panel to the substrate once pressure has been applied.
   In door threshold areas and near distributor boxes, the smooth levelling panel Schlüter-BEKOTEC-ENFG PS may be used to simplify the pipe installation. The pressure-sensitive adhesive on its underside attaches the panel. The Schlüter-BEKOTEC-ZRKL self-adhesive pipe clamping strip enables precise pipe layout in these areas.
   
5. Clamp the system pipes with a diameter of 14 mm or 16 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.
   
6. As part of the screed installation, fresh cement- or gypsum-based screed is installed with a minimum screed cover of 8 mm over the studded panels. A compressive strength of C20 to C35, as well as a flexural tensile strength of F4, max. F5, must be maintained for both cement- and gypsum-based screeds. If the cement screed has a shrinkage class of SW1, using products with a higher flexural tensile strength is also possible. 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. The systems approved for this application must be taken into account here.
   
   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.
7. 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.
   
8. 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).
   
9. 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.
   
10. 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 °C and increase the supply temperature by no more than 5 degrees C a day until the desired usage temperature has been reached.
    
11. 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.

BEKOTEC-EN-23-F-PS is made of impact resistant structured polystyrene with a pressure-sensitive adhesive laminated on the underside. It is suitable for use with conventionally applied cement or gypsum screeds as well as flowing screed. The material must be stored in a location above freezing, where it is not exposed to UV radiation.