Description
Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT-DUO integrates customizable, comfortable electric floor warming with the functions of DITRA: uncoupling, waterproofing, vapor management and support to ensure a long lasting installation. DITRA-HEAT-DUO features an integrated thermal break to reduce impact sound transmission through floor-ceiling assemblies, reduce heat loss to the substrate, and improve floor warming response time.
Sound Control
Controlling impact sound transmission through floor-ceiling assemblies in multistory construction can present challenges, particularly when ceramic and stone tiles are used. Sound control materials tend to be compressible and not all provide adequate support for tile covering in thin-set applications. DITRA-HEAT-DUO reduces sound transmission, while supporting the covering to ensure a lasting installation.
Floor Warming
DITRA-HEAT-DUO combines the flexibility of loose heating cables with the ease of installation of mat systems. Cables can be placed wherever heat is desired, without creating height differences in the floor. Self-leveling compounds are not required to encapsulate the cables, significantly reducing installation time and effort.
Uncoupling
Tile has been successfully installed for thousands of years by incorporating an uncoupling layer, or forgiving shear interface, within the tile assembly. DITRA-HEAT-DUO provides uncoupling through its geometric configuration, which allows for in-plane movement that effectively neutralizes the differential movement stresses between the substrate and the tile, thus eliminating the major cause of cracking and delaminating of the tiled surface.
Waterproofing
DITRA-HEAT-DUO provides reliable waterproofing. Its polypropylene composition protects the substrate from moisture penetration, which is particularly important in today’s building environment where most substrates are moisture-sensitive.
Vapor Management
The free space on the underside of DITRA-HEAT-DUO provides a route for excess moisture and vapor to escape from the substrate that could otherwise cause damage to the tile covering above. Thus, DITRA-HEAT-DUO effectively manages moisture beneath the tile covering.
Support/load distribution
When placed on a solid foundation, columns or pillars can support tremendous loads. The same physical principle applies to DITRA-HEAT-DUO installations. Column-like mortar structures are formed in and between the studs on the surface of the matting. Loads are transferred from the tile covering through these column-like mortar structures to the substrate. Since DITRA-HEAT-DUO is virtually incompressible within the tile assembly, the advantages of uncoupling are achieved without sacrificing point load distribution capabilities.
