COCCIOPESTO FLOORS - Heat storage lime floors
The Ultimate Guide with Ancient Roman Flooring Techniques
Looking for a flooring solution that offers durability, water resistance, insulation, heat retention, and classic Venetian charm? Discover the timeless appeal of breathable lime floors, perfect for modern living.
Cocciopesto floor can be applied as part of a new floor buildup, but it also works well on top of existing floors, including limecrete, suspended timber, or cement floors. These traditional Italian crushed-brick floors have a rich history and enduring practicality.
"Cocciopesto Floors" are traditional, Italian crushed brick floors




The full Cocciopesto floor buildup
A Nod to Roman Wisdom
Meet “Massetto Caldo” – Your Warm Floor Companion. At the heart of this remarkable flooring concept lies “Massetto Caldo,” which translates to “warm floor.” But why the name? Well, it’s all down to its Roman heritage. You see, this special flooring contains crushed bricks (cocciopesto) that store heat, ensuring that once it’s warmed up, either through underfloor heating or other means, it stays toasty for an impressively long time.
Ancient Roman architects pioneered the concept of underfloor heating systems, known as “hypocausts” which were powered by hot air rather than hot water pipes.
The systems used similar materials for both floor structure and supporting columns, including lime, terracotta-lime and thermal brick. Even when the fire was not ablaze, the systems radiated warmth, keeping their homes at a comfortably temperate embrace.
Insulation – The Secret Behind Comfort
Cocciopesto flooring is probably the best option to use with underfloor heating.
Now, to keep all that precious heat right where you want it – inside your room – there’s a crucial layer of high-performance insulating lime mortar.
This isn’t just any insulation; it boasts reflective properties – reflecting the pleasant heat back into your room.
This will help bring down the U value of your floor to meet modern standards.


Waterproofing - For the peace of your mind
Worried about water seeping in?
We can add a layer of Roman waterproofing mortar for added peace of mind, ensuring no liquid mischief creeps up from below. This is how you take a lime floor and bring it up to the standards of today’s discerning homeowner.
Any Questions?
Why Massetto Caldo Trumps Concrete
We firmly prefer Massetto Caldo lime floor screed over cement based systems, and here’s why: the heat retaining brick fragments it contains make it noticeably warmer to the touch. Even without underfloor heating installed, it provides a cosier floor compared to modern alternatives. However, when paired with underfloor heating pipes, your floor screed becomes a reliable heat reservoir. Once the heating is turned off, your floor will stay warm for quite some time, promising comfort and energy efficiency.
Massetto Caldo MGN – Revolutionizing Underfloor Heating
Massetto Caldo MGN takes your underfloor heating to a whole new level of efficiency and warmth. Lab measurements reveal that brick powder and terracotta shard screeds output approximately 16% more heat, retain it longer than similar cement screeds, and warm up your living space faster.
This is the exact reproduction of the historical, original recipe – warm on its own, perfect for radiant floors, easy to spread even with a plastering machine, lighter than traditional screeds, and the ideal base for prestigious Venetian or wooden floors.
Comparative Performance Test
For those eager to see how Massetto Caldo stacks up against conventional cement floors, we’ve got a comparative performance test for you right here, if you scroll down to “Comparative performance tests for the Science minded”: Massetto Caldo MGN.
Choose warmth, choose durability, choose perfection – choose breathable lime floors for your British home.
In Conclusion
In the world of flooring, these breathable lime floors represent the pinnacle of modern comfort while paying homage to an ancient Roman technique.
They’re the perfect blend of aesthetics, durability, and functionality – just what every homeowner dreams of.
So, if you’re contemplating a flooring upgrade, consider the time-tested allure of breathable lime floors. Your home will thank you.