High Thermal Mass Flooring

Mass is the key to thermal mass.

High thermal mass flooring.

Objects that have thermal mass have inherent qualities for both heating and cooling. 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. Where to locate thermal mass. High mass construction is typically not recommended in humid climates with a small diurnal range.

A material that has thermal mass is one that has the capacity to absorb store and release the sun s heat energy its density and levels of conductivity help to keep the internal temperature of a building stable. Locate thermal mass in areas that receive direct sunlight or radiant heat from heaters. The thickness of thermal mass walls is often estimated to 4 5 inches 10cm 13 cm. 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 rules for floors and walls. 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. A dense and dark material would work better. 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.

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. Sunterra energyblock is high thermal mass building construction. 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.

In other words it has a high volumeteric heat capacity. See for more details. High mass floors are very solid. 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.

By adding foam and flooring you will block the sun from contacting the thermal mass. These materials are heavy and dense and therefore high in what is technically called thermal mass. For commercial buildings this thermal storage capacity is typically much greater. 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.

Thermal mass is another vital and complimentary component of passive solar design. 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. Materials with high thermal resistance such as carpet cork or timber should never be laid over concrete floors that are to provide thermal mass.