14
SunTouch TapeMat Installation Manual
!
CAUTION
NeverbangatrowelontheHeating
Wiretoremoveexcessmortarfrom
thetrowel.Thiscoulddamagethe
heatingwire.
DOUBLE-PLYWOOD OvER FRAME FLOOR
Tile/stone or
laminate flooring
Tile/stone or
laminate flooring
Tile/stone or
laminate flooring
TapeMat
Plywood
Main Plywood Subfloor
Latex-Portland cement
mortar bond coat
Insulation (per International
Residential Code, Chapter 11)
Concrete slab with
rewire or rebar
Crack isolation membrane
TapeMat
Thin-set or self-leveling
mortar bed
Insulation (per International
Residential Code, Chapter 11)
Insulation (per International
Residential Code, Chapter 11)
Cement backerboard,
thick-set, or self-leveling
mortar bed
TapeMat
Thin-set
THIN-SET OvER SLAB ON GRADE
CEMENT BACKERBOARD OvER FRAME FLOOR
Type of Construction
Mortar Applications:
Thin-set and thick-set (self-leveling) mortar
applications are illustrated to the right.
a. If a backer board or plywood sheeting is
used to strengthen the floor, or if the mat
will be placed directly onto the slab, install
TapeMat in the thin-set mortar bond coat
above these materials.
b. If a thicker mortar bed, or self-leveling
concrete, is used to strengthen the floor,
Tapemat can be installed in either the mor-
tar bed (dry-set) or in the mortar bond coat
directly below the tile or stone.
TapeMat is generally installed above the
self-leveling mortar in a thin-set bond coat.
Use plastic lath instead of the typical metal
lath when installing in a self-leveling layer.
Self-leveling Mortar Applications:
These are appropriate applications if installing
engineered wood, vinyl, laminate, or carpet
floor coverings. Attach the TapeMat to the
subfloor or slab, then pour self-leveling mortar
1/4" to 1/2" thick according to manufacturer’s
specifications. Install floor covering after the
mortar has cured.
Special Precautions
IsolationMembrane:
Install the TapeMat
above the membrane, whenever possible,
unless recommended otherwise by the
membrane manufacturer.
Insulation:
Insulation dramatically enhances
the performance and efficiency of
floor-warming systems. Do not install rigid
insulation directly above or below backer
board or mortar.
MosaicTile:
When installing mosaic tile, it is
recommended to apply a two-step process.
First, embed the TapeMat in a thin mortar
bed (1/4"–3/8"), then thin-set the mosaic
tile according to typical practice.
ExpansionJoints:
Do not install heating mats
through an expansion joint. Install mats
right up to the joint, if necessary, but not
through the joint.
