Schluter-BEKOTEC Installation Manual

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
2
(0.72 kPa), while a BEKOTEC
mortar screed weighs approximately 12 to
12.5-lb ft
2
(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.
Ceramic and stone tile is installed
over the BEKOTEC and BEKOTEC-F
modular screeds using the Schluter
®
-DITRA
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.
MODULAR SCREED SYSTEMS
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
CFCs or HCFCs are present in either the
material or the manufacturing process.
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. Common examples include
solvent-based adhesives and diluting
agents, oil-based paints and stains, and
petroleum fuels such as gasoline and
kerosene. All will deteriorate foam.
Exposure to ultraviolet rays (sunlight) for
long periods of time will result in partial
degradation (dusting) at the surface.
BEKOTEC-F is manufactured using high-
impact polystyrene foil and is suitable for
use with conventional mortar and poured
screeds.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR CERAMIC AND STONE TILE
9.1 Schluter
®
-BEKOTEC 9.2 Schluter
®
-BEKOTEC-F

Summary of content (8 pages)