wrote in message
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Doctor Drivel wrote:

If you want thermal mass: cheaper
dense concrete blocks can be used no more
than 4" thick, a layer of 6" or 7" of insulation
and then thin brick slips (very thin bricks of
say 1" thick) to get the brick affect...

Or nail diagonal dark face boards to
SIPs for an outdoor Tudor effect and
hang shiny water-filled platforms under
a shiny ceiling for higher temp
thermal mass that stores 7 times more
heat than room temp mass, with
better room temp control.

SIP panels are brilliant. They are gaining acceptance here, but that will
take eons as the British construction industry does not like anything new.
They are also still expensive, yet the increased insulation required by
current building regulations means they are becoming feasible.

Brick slips can be fitted to the outside of SIP panels too. The problem with
SIPs is gaining thermal mass as you have hit upon. You can use pugging. Sand
or ash over the ceiling plasterboards.

I thought water only held around 4 times more heat than best masonry which
is dense concrete, not 7 times. I don't get what you are hanging here.....
"shiny water-filled platforms under a shiny ceiling", would you please
elaborate here. I know plastic water pipes filled with water embedded in
pugging does add thermal mass too. The pipes do not have to be fully covered
by the sand or ash. The ceiling has to take the weight which can be
substantial. The mass in the ceiling also helps in soundproofing as well.

The German timber frame house maker Huf Haus, use a cement screed over a
wooden floor to add thermal mass and soundproofing and give a solid feel to
the house too. Laying carpets ruins the thermal qualities of the house.