Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsSchluter ManualsFloor Installation ToolsBekotec-BRSK 4 in. x 164 ft. Polyethylene Foam Tile Edging Strip

STRESS-FREE FLOORING ASSEMBLY FOR CONTINUOUS SCREEDS AND HYDRONIC RADIANT HEAT ACCOMMODATION

Schluter

-BEKOTEC is a lightweight

modular screed system that is used

to create continuous screed surfaces

without control joints or reinforcement

and is designed to accommodate

hydronic radiant heating tubes. Since

it is a floating system, the assembly can

be customized to meet a range of heat

and sound requirements.

Application and Function

9.1 Schluter

-BEKOTEC and 9.2

Schluter

-BEKOTEC-F are modular screed

systems that produce permanent floor

ing assemblies that are free from internal

stresses. The bases for these systems are

the Schluter

-BEKOTEC-EN/US/P and

Schluter

-BEKOTEC-EN23F studded

polystyrene screed panels that are

placed directly over any load-bearing

substrate and optional common sound

and/or heat-insulating layers. The studs

effectively divide the screed into smaller,

4-1/4" (108 mm) square modules, thereby

confining shrinkage and curing stresses to

control deformations such as curling and

continuous cracks that can be common in a

traditional screed. These modular screed

systems allow the installation of continuous

screed surfaces without any control joints

or wire reinforcement. The elimination of

control joints allows surface movement joints

to be placed to match the joint layout in the

tile covering.

The cross-section of the assembly reveals

a minimum screed thickness of 1-1/4"

(32 mm) between the studs and 5/16" (8 mm)

above the studs. This results in significant

material and weight savings over traditional

screeds. For example, a 1-1/4" (32 mm)-thick

traditional mortar bed weighs approxi-

mately 15-lb/ft

(0.72 kPa), while a BEKOTEC

mortar screed weighs approximately 12 to

12.5-lb ft

(0.57 - 0.60 kPa), representing a

15- 20% decrease. Material and weight

savings compared to a 2" (51 mm)-thick

mortar bed amount to approximately 50%.

The studs form a grid pattern, with a

distance of 3" (76 mm) between studs

to accept hydronic heating tubes 3/8"

(10 mm) to 5/8" (16 mm) O.D. if a heating

screed is to be installed. Since the screed

mass to be heated is relatively small, the

floor heating can be well regulated and

operated at a low temperature range.

The modular screed system reduces

impact sound transmission. Since it is a

floating screed system, it is also possible to

incorporate a variety of sound attenuation

materials below the panel, allowing for even

greater impact sound reduction.

9.3 Schluter

-BEKOTEC-DRAIN is a

variant of BEKOTEC-F with evenly spaced

openings and interconnected drainage

channels for use in exterior tile assemblies.

BEKOTEC-DRAIN is placed over a sloped

structure with a roofing membrane and

Schluter

-TROBA-PLUS drainage mem-

brane.

Ceramic and stone tile is installed

over the BEKOTEC and BEKOTEC-F

modular screeds using the Schluter

-DITRA

MODULAR SCREED SYSTEMS

uncoupling membrane. Please refer to the

Schluter

-DITRA Installation Handbook

(detail D-C-TS for Portland cement-based

screeds and detail D-G-TS for gypsum-

based screeds). Surface coverings not

sensitive to cracking, such as parquet or

carpet, can be placed directly over the

screed as soon as the residual moisture has

reached an appropriate level.

Ceramic and stone tile is installed over

the BEKOTEC-DRAIN modular screed

using the DITRA uncoupling membrane or

Schluter

-DITRA-DRAIN thin-bed drainage

membrane. Please refer to the Schluter

DITRA Installation Handbook (detail D-EXT-

OS) or Schluter

-DITRA-DRAIN Technical

Data Sheet for additional information.

Material Properties and

Areas of Application

BEKOTEC is manufactured using closed-

cell expanded polystyrene and is suit-

able for use with conventional mortar and

poured screeds. BEKOTEC requires no

special disposal and can be recycled. No

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR CERAMIC AND STONE TILE

9.1 Schluter

-BEKOTEC

9.3 Schluter

-BEKOTEC-DRAIN

9.2 Schluter

-BEKOTEC-F

Summary of content (8 pages)

PAGE 1
MODUL A R SCR E E D S Y STE MS IN NOVATIVE SOL U TIO N S F O R C E RA M IC A N D S T O N E T I LE STRESS-FREE FLOORING ASSEMBLY FOR CONTINUOUS SCREEDS AND HYDRONIC RADIANT HEAT ACCOMMODATION Schluter®-BEKOTEC is a lightweight modular screed system that is used to create continuous screed surfaces without control joints or reinforcement and is designed to accommodate hydronic radiant heating tubes. Since it is a floating system, the assembly can be customized to meet a range of heat and sound requirements.
PAGE 2
MO D U L AR S C R EED SYSTE M S CFCs or HCFCs are present in either the material or the manufacturing process. Schluter®-BEKOTEC Property The expanded polystyrene foam used to manufacture BEKOTEC is treated with a flame-retarding agent. The foam is self-extinguishing and achieves an HF-1 rating according to UL 94. Expanded polystyrene should not be exposed to hydrocarbons, esters, amines, and aldehydes.
PAGE 3
MODULAR SCRE E D SYSTE M S 8. When using the modular screed assembly for radiant heating, the completed floor covering can be heated after 7 days. Beginning at 77 °F (25 °C), start-up temperature shall be increased daily by 9 °F (5 °C) maximum, until the desired working temperature is reached. 9. Covering materials that are not subject to cracking (for example, parquet, carpet, or resilient flooring) can be placed directly on the modular screed; no uncoupling is necessary.
PAGE 4
MO D U L AR S C R EED SYSTE M S BEKOTEC: Modular Screed Principle 41/ 4” 08 (1 m m ) The screed surface is divided into 4-1/4" (108 mm) modules. This allows the installation of continuous screed surfaces without any control joints or wire reinforcement.
PAGE 5
MODULAR SCRE E D SYSTE M S System Accessories Edge Strips for Conventional Screeds Schluter®-BEKOTEC-BRS is an edge strip made of closed-cell polyethylene foam with an integrated foil leg. The edge strip is positioned at floor/wall transitions or fixed building elements, with the foil leg placed onto the substrate below the BEKOTEC panel or over the polyethylene covering sheet.
PAGE 6
MO D U L AR S C R EED SYSTE M S Schluter®-BEKOTEC-EN/US/P System Schluter®-BEKOTEC-EN/US/P Studded polystyrene screed panel Schluter®-DITRA Uncoupling membrane 3” (76 mm) Heat- and soundinsulating panel* 1-11/16" (43 mm) Polyethylene sheet 7/16" (11 mm) 15/16" (24 mm) 5/16" (8 mm) Heating tubes *Additional insulation optional Schluter®-BEKOTEC-F System Schluter®-BEKOTEC-F Studded polystyrene screed panel Schluter®-DITRA Uncoupling membrane Heat- and soundinsulating panel* 1-1/4" (31 mm) Poly
PAGE 7
MODULAR SCRE E D SYSTE M S Product Item Numbers Schluter®-BEKOTEC-EN/US/P Item No. Studded screed panel 1-3/8" (35 mm) Width Length Area / sheet Packaging 24" – 61 cm 48" – 122 cm 8 ft2 – 0.74 m2 12 sheets Width Length Area / sheet Packaging 47-1/4" – 120 cm 35-7/16" – 90 cm 11.63 ft2 – 1.08 m2 20 sheets EN/US/P Schluter®-BEKOTEC-F Studded screed panel 29/32" (23 mm) Item No. EN23F20 Schluter®-BEKOTEC-DRAIN Studded screed drainage panel 29/32" (23 mm) Item No.
PAGE 8
Schluter®-Systems Modular Screed Panels 10-Year Limited Warranty COVERAGE AND CONDITIONS: Subject to the conditions and limitations as stated hereinafter, Schluter-Systems* warrants that Schluter®-BEKOTEC, Schluter®-BEKOTEC-F, or Schluter®-BEKOTEC-DRAIN (the “Product”) will be free from manufacturing defects, and will not rot, deteriorate or break down under normal use for a period of ten (10) years from the date of purchase only when the Product is used and installed in accordance with the terms and condit