Abstract: A thermally expandable covering construction (1) for furnaces (2), in particular kilns or melting furnaces includes a preferably segmented cover (7) and, for the expansion-tolerant reception thereof on the edge side, a bracket (15) having a movable mounting (16) and having a clamping device (17) acting on the bracket (15). The clamping device (17) has a horizontally arranged clamping rod (31) which is loaded by a spring (33), is axially displaceably mounted on a fixed frame (29) and is pivotably connected to the bracket (15) at the front end by means of a bearing (26).