Exposed thermal mass (masonry, rammed earth, slab)

Absorbs daytime heat and releases it as temperatures drop, smoothing daily swings.

Cost
Medium
Upkeep
None
Skill to build
None
Lifespan
Matches structure lifespan (masonry/rammed-earth/slab mass doesn't wear out under normal thermal cycling)
Embodied carbon
Medium
Space / material use
High
Output timing
Continuous process
Skill to repair
None

Note: Cost, carbon and footprint are rated against the other options for this same need, not in absolute terms.

Inputs

Outputs

What this page does not tell you

No sizing or quantities: how much a technique yields, and how much a household needs, both depend on the build and the people, so the catalogue compares options rather than dimensioning them. It carries no bill of materials and no build sequence, and it is written for an oceanic, clay-soil climate (Normandy, France). Regulatory notes are indicative and need confirming locally.