ᐅ Underfloor heating: experiences with Schluter Bekotec Therm system versus traditional methods?

Hello everyone,
around October we will have to decide whether to install a traditional underfloor heating system in the first floor, meaning embedded in about 7cm (3 inches) of screed, or to use the Schlüter Bekotec Therm system. Our tiler would install the Bekotec system. With a credit from the general contractor (and a planned surcharge for fast-curing screed), this could be almost cost-neutral. Under the Bekotec system, a correspondingly thicker insulation layer will be installed, so in our new build the advantage of the lower system height does not apply, and both options will have the same overall height. This should also make the sound insulation nearly equivalent (what does that mean?).

What appeals to us most about the Bekotec system is that the floor construction can begin after just three days. I am now looking for independent experiences and opinions on this. Of course, the craftsmen who work with this system always think it is the best.

Best regards

This isn’t exactly groundbreaking. The only supposed advantage is the build-up height, which can also be a disadvantage depending on what you need. The older studded mats are really outdated now.

If you want a faster response time and don’t mind constantly adjusting the heating, then this system is suitable.

If, on the other hand, you want to set everything once and never touch it again, I would recommend the classic system.

In both systems, the screed acts as the thermal mass, and the less of it there is, the quicker the system responds to changes—both positively and negatively.

The installation height is not really relevant for me. That would probably be more of a factor in renovation projects involving retrofitting of floor heating systems. Thank you for the additional information!

YES, in old buildings or existing structures, the system still has a certain justification. Otherwise, it is just old concepts repackaged.