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 FI-30, which is foam-backed with heat and sound insulation made of polystyrene (EPS) and can be directly installed on top of a load-bearing substrate or also over conventional heat insulation panels.
The geometry of the BEKOTEC-EN-23-FI-30 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. 58 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) can be 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.
Cover 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.