Floor:view Issue VII 2008
www.floordata.com
Schlüter-Systems Ltd, world market-leader in tiling
solutions, takes a look at the different screeds
available for underfloor heating...
As outlined in the last edition of Contract now using uncoupling membranes in conjunc- Schlüter®-BEKOTEC modular system means
Floors, the current boom in underfloor heat- tion with the Schlüter®-BEKOTEC modular that the height of the overall assembly, in-
ing is bringing its own set of problems for screed system, which makes the fitting of cluding the screed, is only 52mm. Installers
stone-fixers and specifiers: temperature underfloor heating pipes much easier and say that because of its lighter weight and
changes within the screed mass of underfloor far less labour-intensive than traditional lower assembly height it is also fitted faster
heating installations -- whether water or elec- methods. than traditional underlays.
tric – lead to the screed moving at a different The Schlüter®-BEKOTEC studded poly- Some fixers have been concerned that
rate from the stone surface. The rigid surface styrene panel is placed either directly over the stone tiles are more at risk of cracking,
simply cannot cope with the degree of move- a load-bearing substrate, or over traditional splitting and debonding using this system,
ment, and the tiles can split or debond. acoustic/heat insulation. The studs form whereas, in fact, exactly the opposite is true.
The technical experts at Schlüter-Systems a grid pattern, enabling them to accept the Schlüter®-BEKOTEC actually helps to pro-
Ltd say that if a “traditional” fix is required, heating pipes. tect the rigid surface, preventing damage
where the stone was originally installed di- As soon as the screed can be walked on, to the stone. Stress build-up due to shrink-
rectly onto the substrate, most problems can the uncoupling membrane is bonded to it, and age, which occurs naturally during the curing
be overcome by using the Schlüter®-DITRA the stone covering is then installed onto the of the screed, is successfully eliminated by
uncoupling membrane to neutralise the dif- membrane. Schlüter has been involved with the formation of micro-fine cracks. Also, the
ferential movement between the substrate installations where the screed has been laid screed doesn’t curl. But most importantly, the
and the surface. It will also bridge and neu- on Friday and work to fix the stone has begun stone surface coverings are guaranteed not
tralise any cracking in the substrate. on the Monday. to crack or debond.
However, a modular screed system has With traditional systems, the screed can An additional benefit from a design and in-
been developed which is making it easier to typically be between 65 and 75mm, or even stallation perspective is that surface interme-
fit underfloor heating. Many installers are thicker in some instances, but using the diate movement joints do not need to be cut
into the modular screed. This allows greater
flexibility with surface design and eliminates
the risks associated with cutting movement
joints into screeds containing heating pipes.
And since the screed mass to be heated
is relatively small, the floor heating is easier
to regulate, and can be operated at a lower
temperature.
Schlüter-Systems Ltd
Units 4-5 Bardon 22
Beveridge Lane, Coalville
Leicestershire LE67 1TE
Tel: 01530 813396
Fax: 01530 813376
www.schluter.co.uk
30 ContractFloors Issue VII 2008 visit www.floordata.com for the best in flooring information
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