High Thermal Mass Flooring

High mass floors are very solid.

High thermal mass flooring.

To determine the best location for thermal mass you need to know if your greatest energy consumption is the result of summer cooling or winter heating. What distinguishes thermal mass is its ability to store a lot of heat energy with only a modest changes in its own temperature. High mass construction is typically not recommended in humid climates with a small diurnal range. Polished concrete tile and stone floors typically have a very high thermal mass and are backed by a thick concrete slab which only adds to the ratio.

Thermal mass walls and floor slab. Thermal mass is a concept in building design that describes how the mass of the building provides inertia against internal temperature fluctuations. The thickness of thermal mass walls is often estimated to 4 5 inches 10cm 13 cm. Most of the heat energy in thermal mass floors and walls is stored in the first 15cm it doesn t get very far due to medium r values.

Objects that have thermal mass have inherent qualities for both heating and cooling. Materials with high thermal resistance such as carpet cork or timber should never be laid over concrete floors that are to provide thermal mass. Locate thermal mass in areas that receive direct sunlight or radiant heat from heaters. Thermal mass rules for floors and walls.

Jami makes a good point passive solar and termal mass does not work if you don t get enough sun to actually get a heat gain. Mass is the key to thermal mass. Thermal mass keeping your home comfortable. Common materials used for thermal mass include concrete or filled concrete block stone or masonry usually used in floors or walls.

Thermal mass floors can be slightly thicker but never more than 8 inches 20 cm. In other words it has a high volumeteric heat capacity. Suspended concrete upper floors in two storey construction may be used effectively as thermal mass. Sunterra energyblock is high thermal mass building construction.

This is typically achieved through its ability to absorb unwanted heat during the day and then release it at night with the help of ventilation from cool night air. Lower thermal mass floors usually consist of only a few layers of a lighter or less dense material such as wood floors on beams and joists and are often found. For commercial buildings this thermal storage capacity is typically much greater. A typical home built with concrete floors and energyblock exterior walls can store over 50 000 btu s of heat within just 1 fahrenheit interior temperature change.

See for more details. By adding foam and flooring you will block the sun from contacting the thermal mass. A dense and dark material would work better. These materials are heavy and dense and therefore high in what is technically called thermal mass.