A wide swath of local bluestone is installed, running from front entry door straight back to the rear double french doors. After stone is laid, corners will be distressed for an antique feel that matches the adjacent reclaimed pine flooring.
One of the best ways to retain the sun's warmth in your home is through "thermal mass" -- material that absorbs heat and slowly releases it back into the air as indoor temperatures cool. Stone is a perfect choice.
THE CONCORD GREEN HOME will feature low-maintenance bluestone that runs from the front door right through to the rear french doors. Adjacent to all the south-facing glass, the stone will soak up the sun's rays during the day and release it back into the living space as additional heat at night... a great energy saver in this super-insulated house. Plus, the stone provides the perfect route for heavy foot traffic through the center of the house.
Mortar and grout are made the old fashioned way, with simple non-toxic recipes of sand and cement. The stone will be sealed with AFM Safecoat Grout Sealer, which has no odor and does not off-gas VOC's.
Great post!
ReplyDeleteThermal mass in the form of concrete, masonry has a much better storage capacity for heating and cooling than does the surrounding air.
Also a great benefit it that it acts to prevent large changes of indoor temperature as the outdoor temperatures rise or fall.
When I lived in Central Mexico - where the high altitude makes it cool at night and in winter - I had natural slate flagstones in my whole house; that was a very effective strategy in that sunny climate.
ReplyDeleteHi Gina. Thank you for stopping by. Ahh, warm slate flooring on bare feet sounds a bit like heaven.
ReplyDeleteConcord Carpenter - you are absolutely right. Not many people realize how much a stone floor "heat sink" can do to control temperature swings in an indoor space. Glad to see another person on board!
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