Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT Installation Handbook 2014 5,5 mm Electric Floor Warming System with Integrated Uncoupling Technology
Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT Electric Floor Warming System with Integrated Uncoupling Technology Ceramic and stone tiles are the ideal surface coverings because they are durable, easy to maintain, and hygienic. However two common barriers to the selection of tile as a floor covering are concerns about cracking and the perception that tiles are cold. Floor warming systems are a growing trend in tile applications, but none address concerns about cracking.
CONTENTS WOOD 4 6 7 7 Floors, Floors, Floors, Floors, Interior Interior Interior Interior – – – – 16, 19.2, & 24-inch o.c.
WOOD Every substrate presents unique challenges All wood materials, including OSB, plywood, and framing members, are subject to expansion, contraction, bending, and deflection as a result of changes in moisture content and loading. Further, these deformations fluctuate over the life of the building structure.
19.2" (488 mm) o.c. joist spacing, single layer OSB or plywood subfloor DH-W19-T-14 Ceramic or porcelain tile Unmodified thin-set mortar Areas of Application over any even and structurally sound OSB or plywood subfloor with 19.2" (488 mm) o.c. joist spacing interior dry or wet areas DITRA-HEAT uncoupling membrane and heating cables Latex p.c.
Floors, Interior - Natural Stone Tile DH-W-S-14 Double layer of OSB or Plywood subfloor Natural stone tile Areas of Application over any even and structurally sound double layer OSB or plywood floor interior dry or wet areas Unmodified thin-set mortar DITRA-HEAT uncoupling membrane and heating cables Limitations requires double layer wood floor regardless of joist spacing minimum 2" x 2" (50 mm x 50 mm) tile Latex p.c.
Floors, Interior - Existing Vinyl Floors DH-V-T-14 Areas of Application over any even and structurally sound substrate with existing vinyl flooring interior dry or wet areas Tile or wood base Ceramic or stone tile Limitations minimum 2" x 2" (50 mm x 50 mm) tile cushioned vinyl unacceptable perimeter bonded vinyl flooring unacceptable multiple layers of vinyl unacceptable RONDEC DILEX-EKE Unmodified thin-set mortar KERDI-BAND DITRA-HEAT uncoupling membrane and heating cables Requirements for wood subst
CONCRETE Every substrate presents unique challenges There are various challenges associated with the installation of hard surface coverings on concrete substrates. To begin, the coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete is close to twice that of ceramic tile. Additionally, tile contractors are often expected to install tile over young concrete (concrete cured less than 28 days).
GYPSUM Every substrate presents unique challenges Bonding ceramic or stone tiles directly to gypsum concrete substrates is generally considered questionable or not recommended. The challenges associated with gypsum-based underlayments include the requirement of an extended drying period before installing tile and continued sensitivity to the reintroduction of moisture throughout the life of the installation.
WATERPROOFING Every substrate presents unique challenges Today’s construction methods, which include the use of lightweight, moisture-sensitive materials, such as plywood, OSB, and gypsum concrete, have made the installation of hard surface coverings particularly challenging. If wood or gypsum concrete substrates are exposed to moisture, the tile layer above can be damaged as a result. Typical areas that require waterproofing include tub surrounds and showers.
MOVEMENT JOINTS Every substrate presents unique challenges DISCUSSION Movement joints are an integral part of any tile assembly. The various components of a tile assembly (tile, mortar, substrate, etc.) have unique physical characteristics that affect their behavior. Specifically, these components will expand and contract at different rates, according to each component’s intrinsic physical properties, with changes in moisture, temperature, and loading (both dead and live loads).
Typical movement joint applications 1 Schluter®-DILEX-EKE Perimeter Joints Perimeter joints are provided at the outer edges of any tile installation to accommodate movements attributable to changes in moisture, temperature, and loading. See figures 1, 2, and 3.
Note regarding residential applications Due to the increased popularity of continuous tile installations (i.e., tile continuing from room to room on a given floor), movement joints have become both increasingly important and increasingly difficult to provide. For instance, consider the residential installation shown in Figure 5.
WOOD UNDERLAYMENT Plywood/OSB underlayment installation guidelines DISCUSSION In some applications referenced in this Handbook, adding a layer of plywood or OSB before installing DITRA-HEAT and the ceramic or stone tile covering is required to reduce deflection and curvature of the sheathing between the joists. INSTALLATION GUIDE Place underlayment panels (Exposure 1, plugged-face plywood or OSB) with long dimension perpendicular to floor joists such that the following conditions are met: 1.
INSTALLATION Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT membrane and heating cables Planning • Select DITRA-HEAT membrane according to the size of the area to be tiled. • Select DITRA-HEAT-E-HK heating cable according to the size of the area to be heated. Be sure to measure accurately. The heating cable CANNOT be cut to fit.
Heating Cables Warning • Before installing and operating this product, the user and/or installer must read, understand and follow these instructions and keep them handy for future reference. • If these instructions are not followed, the warranty will be considered null and void and the manufacturer deems no further responsibility for this product. • The following instructions must be adhered to in order to avoid personal injuries or property damages, serious injuries and potentially fatal electric shocks.
Installation 1 Before the heating cable is removed from the spool, conduct the first set of required tests and record values in the heating cable tests log (page 26). If a break or damage is detected during the tests, return the heating cable to the original place of purchase. 2 Thread the heating cable cold lead and remote sensors through a conduit from the base of the wall to the thermostat electrical box. The heating cable cold lead must not be cut.
Waterproofing The following steps are required for waterproofing only: Note: While the heating cable is protected by the DITRA-HEAT matting, be careful when applying the mortar to not damage the cable with the notched trowel. 1 At the joints, fill the matting with unmodified thin-set mortar, approximately 8" (203 mm) wide, centered over the joint. 4 At all wall junctions, apply KERDI-BAND as described in steps 1-3, centered where the wall and floor meet.
Tiles Note: While the heating cable is protected by the DITRA-HEAT matting, be careful when applying the mortar to not damage the cable with the notched trowel. 1 Tile can be installed over DITRA-HEAT immediately; no need to wait for the mortar to cure. Fill the matting with unmodified thin-set mortar and comb additional mortar over the matting using a trowel that is appropriate for the size of the tile.
THIN-SET FACTS Discussion of thin-set mortars and Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT installations QUESTION: Can ceramic tile, including porcelain tile, be set on DITRA-HEAT with unmodified thin-set mortar? ANSWER: YES. In fact, we recommend it. Here’s why: Portland cement-based unmodified thin-set mortars are dependent on the presence of moisture for hydration in order to gain strength. Since DITRA-HEAT is impervious, it does not deprive the mortar of its moisture.
TESTING & CERTIFICATIONS Product Evaluation Schluter®-Systems is committed to providing reliable installation systems for ceramic and stone tile. As part of this commitment, we have invested considerable resources in testing our products and obtaining certifications where applicable to provide our customers and local code officials with relevant data that supports the efficacy of our systems. All the testing referenced below was performed by independent laboratories.
NATURAL STONE Discussion of natural stone and single-layer wood subfloors Natural stone is a product of nature with a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures that come together to distinguish it as one of the premiere surface coverings available on the market. Some of stone’s characteristics, which add to its beauty and uniqueness, are veins, fissures, starts, and dry-seams.
PRODUCT & ORDERING INFO The ordering information for the Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT and KERDI components outlined in this Handbook is located below. For technical support, Illustrated Price List, or to receive additional information on our complete product line, please call 800-472-4588 (USA) or 800-667-8746 (Canada), or visit our comprehensive website at www.schluter.com.
Schluter ®-DITRA-HEAT-E-RS DITRA-HEAT-E-RS are digital thermostats to control the DITRA-HEAT-E-HK heating cables (either 120 V or 240 V). The thermostats feature a 5 mA built-in ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with indicator light. The DITRA-HEAT-E-RS thermostats have an electrical current limit of 16 amps. A floor temperature sensor is included. The programmable version features more than 250 pre-set programs and anticipated start function.
Schluter ®-KERDI-FLEX KERDI-FLEX is a flexible polyethylene waterproofing strip used to seal movement joints over DITRA-HEAT in specialty applications where large movements are expected (e.g., over expansion joints). Schluter ®-KERDI-FLEX Waterproofing strip for use above movement joints Item No.
HEATING CABLE TESTS LOG Validation for warranty coverage Each heating cable is subject to factory quality control. However, damage to the cables may happen after the product leaves the factory. In order to ensure that the cable quality remains unchanged throughout the installation process and for warranty purposes, tests must be conducted while the cable is still on the spool and during two specific subsequent steps.
WARRANTY Schluter ®-DITRA-HEAT 10-Year Limited Warranty COVERAGE AND CONDITIONS: Subject to the conditions and limitations as stated hereinafter, Schluter-Systems* warrants that the Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT system (the “Products”)** will meet all composition and performance criteria for a period of ten (10) years from the date of purchase only when the Products are used and installed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT Installation Handbook and industry standard guidelines th
© 2014 Schluter Systems L.P. 08/2014 www.schluter.com 554508 Schluter Systems L.P. • 194 Pleasant Ridge Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-5841 • Tel.: 800-472-4588 • Fax: 800-477-9783 Schluter Systems (Canada) Inc. • 21100 chemin Ste-Marie, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3Y8 • Tel.
