Product category:
Floors
News Release from: Schluter-Systems | Subject: Schluter-Bekotec-therm
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 March 2008
Award-winning underfloor heating system
John Croft has installed Schluter-Bekotec-therm under all 1,470 square metres of flooring at his luxury eco-house in the Cotswolds.
And to uncouple the Jerusalem Gold stone tiles from the Cemex Supaflo anhydrite screed, the Schluter-DITRA uncoupling membrane was specified Known as The Moonstone Project, the unique multi-level six-bedroom house, which includes an indoor swimming pool, gym, cinema and games room, is a model of eco-efficiency, which is why the energy saving aspects of Schluter-Bekotec-therm were so important
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 17 May 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Schluter-BEKOTEC-THERM wins industry award
Revolutionary underfloor heating system, Schluter-BEKOTEC-THERM, was named The Tile Association's Best New Innovation at the industry's annual awards ceremony.
Ceramic Tile Distributors new Glasgow showroom
Showroom floor was tiled with Vitra 440 x 440 Cemento Mink and a number of Schluter profiles were specified to ensure the installation's long-lasting integrity.
And as the system incorporates the uncoupling membrane and a modular screed, it also protects the stone tiles.
Many ceramic and stone tile installers have become wary of fixing over heated screeds because of problems experienced in the past with tiles cracking, splitting and debonding.
This is caused by the screed and tiles expanding and contracting at different rates due to their different heat expansion co-efficients during temperature changes.
Further reading
Penthouse owner shows sound taste
Tiling contractors Maurice Parker installing the acoustic membrane Schluter-DITRA-SOUND to cut the impact sound perception by more than half.
Single room pack fast-tracks underfloor heating
Two special versions of Schluter-Systems' award-winning underfloor heating system have been developed for small extensions and conservatories.
Stone floor cracking or debonding from substrate
Ian Knifton, Technical Manager at Schluter - Systems, says very often stone floors crack or debond because installers have not fitted an uncoupling membrane, or movement joints correctly
However, Schluter-Bekotec-therm is an energy-efficient and quick-reacting modular assembly system which overcomes this long-standing problem with the formation of micro-fine cracks that eliminate stress build-up due to shrinkage during the curing of the screed.
As soon as the screed can be walked on, the Schluter-DITRA uncoupling membrane is bonded to it, and the stone or ceramic covering is then installed onto the membrane.
And because the whole assembly has a low construction height, the screed mass to be heated is comparatively small, meaning the radiant heated floor is easily regulated and can be operated with low supply temperatures, giving reduced fuel costs.
A thin layer of conventional screed - anhydrite, in the case of The Moonstone Project -- covers the studs and pipes by a minimum of 8mm and up to a maximum of 25mm, depending on the type of installation, so in some cases just five degrees is lost between the heat pipe and the surface.
All of which means that Schluter-Bekotec-therm was the absolute right specification for Moonstone.
Because 80% of the house's energy is generated from flat plate solar collectors, with the remainder being generated by a ground source heat pump, the thin screed layer and the resulting lower temperatures needed to heat it, mean the heat pump works more efficiently than with conventional underfloor heating systems.
And with 1,470 square metres of flooring to heat, John said it was essential that the temperature is easy to regulate.
And there was an added bonus for the heating contractors, who found the entire system quick and simple to install.
Although early architectural work on the house was handled by an architect, John completed the designs himself, and liaised regularly with Schluter-Systems regarding the specification for the underfloor heating.
The house in The Moonstone Project has a U value of 0.07, giving it a passivhaus rating.
This means that in theory, the building is so well insulated that the heat given off by the people inside would be enough to heat it.
The house has, on average, around 0.5 metres of insulation incorporated within its walls, floors and roof.
The stone tiles were supplied by Indigenous Tiles, of Burford, Oxfordshire.
They have been used internally throughout the whole house, and on three exterior balconies. Request a free brochure from Schluter-Systems ...
• Schluter-Systems: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
