A good place to start learning about hemp’s benefits for construction purposes.
The building process with hemp follows a format that is a bit different than typical construction, but the methods employed are simply variations on common themes. An experienced contractor, supported by a thorough set of drawings, should be confident in their ability to successfully build with hemp. The up-front costs in using hemcrete® can add […]
Most likely. As with any masonry-type construction, there are some limitations to the installation. For example, if the temperature gets too low, or there is excessive moisture in the air it slows the curing time of the lime-binder. The lime-binder can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to completely cure. The sequence of trades and inspections […]
Hempcrete is not just an insulator; it prevents damp and mold growth, and buffers temperature and humidity, making the building a healthy environment. From an R-per-inch standpoint, there are many materials that have higher insulating values than Hemcrete®. Having said that, our hempcrete walls are typically specified as a minimum R-28. For our clients that […]
At the 27th Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, in Belgium, Patrick Daly lectured on the carbon neutrality of hempcrete walls. As a technologist and energy specialist, Daly has set out to design environmentally friendly ‘eco-houses’, and has the data to prove it. Study Reveals Hempcrete Wall Sequestration Rate According to this study, 2000 […]
We’ve found that the ability of a Hemcrete® wall to mitigate interior moisture issues is one of its most desirable qualities. The hygroscopic qualities of the lime binder, combined with a (very alkaline) ph of 12, create an environment that will not sustain mold growth. Personal reports from inhabitants support this evaluation. This property of […]
A hempcrete wall system is significantly more fire resistant than a typical insulated wall. The shiv within the wall is coated with lime and is finished with about 3/4” of lime stucco on the outside, and 1/2” on the inside. This has led to increased interest in implementing this material in areas prone to wildfires. […]
Pretty darn strong, but it’s not concrete – it is a fraction of the weight, and about 1/20 of the compressive strength of concrete. Keep in mind that the hempcrete does not function as a structural component. In our region, we design for seismic zone 2a, and winds loads (typically) of 90mph. With certain limitations, […]
No way! Hempcrete is not a structural element and may not be used as a foundation material. As a wall and insulation system, a 1′ clearance to the ground is standard practice. If hempcrete is installed at grade level, moisture will become an issue. Hempcrete may be used as a finished interior wall inside the […]
The R-value varies with the density of the mix – the more binder, the less insulation. Additional binder increases the density of the material and hence its heat transmission properties. The mix that we typically specify has an R-value of about 2.4 For a 12” wall, yielding more than R-28 for the wall. There are […]
Not recommended! There are those that mix their own binder from common recipes, as it is less expensive than purchasing pre-mixed binders. There are two primary factors that play into deciding whether this is the best choice for you, not the least of which is product liability. The other is having the proper engineering and […]