The next step for underfloor heating

A revolutionary new single-system combination of tile protection technology and underfloor heating has been developed by Schluter-Systems .

World market-leader in tiling solutions, Schluter-Systems ., is constantly receiving enquiries from builders and tilers who are wary of fixing over heated screeds, because of problems they've experienced in the past with damaged tiles.

However, a revolutionary new single-system combination of tile protection technology and underfloor heating has been developed by Schluter-Systems .

Technical Manager Ian Knifton answers some of the latest underfloor heating questions from the Schluter postbag.

Question.

What are the main problems associated with tiling over traditional underfloor heating? Answer.

Temperature changes within the screed mass of conventional underfloor heating installations - whether water or electric - lead to the screed moving at a different rate from the tile or stone surface.

The rigid surface simply cannot cope with the degree of movement, and the tiles crack or debond.

Also, the relatively large screed mass requires a great amount of heating energy, which can make conventional systems slow to respond to temperature changes.

Question.

What does this new single-system do? Answer.

It specifically addresses those disadvantages, with its combination of studded screed panels and matching heating and control technology.

Comprising an entire underfloor heating system in one complete package, the new BEKOTEC-THERM is a modular floor assembly, giving an energy-efficient and quick reacting radiant heated floor system, with especially low supply temperatures.

Stress build-up due to shrinkage is successfully combated by micro-fine cracks, which form around the studs.

And because the whole assembly has an overall height of just 52mm, the screed mass to be heated is relatively small, meaning the floor heating is easier to regulate and can be operated at a lower temperature range than traditional methods.

With some ceramic installations, the minimum screed depth above the pipe is only 8mm, so just 5 degrees is lost between the pipe and the surface.

In fact, for most of the time the system can be run with a heating temperature of around 30 degrees to give a surface temperature of 25 degrees.

Recent tests showed that the heating cycle is a lot quicker than traditional systems:.

* The heating was switched on at 10.00 a.m.

with a floor temperature of 16 degrees.

* At 10.10 a.m.

the surface temperature was 18.5 degrees.

* At 10.20 a.m.

the temperature was 19.5 degrees.

* At 10.30 a.m.

the temperature was 21 degrees.

* At 10.40 a.m.

the temperature was 22.5 degrees.

Question.

How complicated is it to install? Answer.

The studded panels are easily cut to size, and interlock into each other on top of a load-bearing substrate or any insulation layer that may be required.

The studs form a grid pattern, and the heating pipes simply clamp between the studs.

The manifold control systems are easy to connect, and the colour-coded electrical items also interlock into each other, making the entire installation process very quick and easy.

Conventional screed mortar covers the studs and pipes by a minimum of 8mm and maximum of 25mm, depending on the type of installations.

As soon as the screed can be walked on, bonding an uncoupling membrane to it means the ceramic or natural stone tiles can be installed as soon as the screed will support weight.

Other floor coverings can be installed once the screed has reached the correct residual moisture content.

We've been involved with installations where the screed has been laid on a Friday, and the tiling commenced on the Monday.

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