Using hemp for construction dates back to the 6th century when ancient Gauls used hemp mortar to build bridges. Today, the concept has been reinvented, and the result is thousands of classy, modern homes constructed using this versatile plant.
With the growing demand for sustainable, low-cost alternatives to conventional homes made from diminishing natural resources, hemp has become the miracle plant of our time.
What is a HempCrete Home?
Hemp is prized for its long fibrous, leafy stalks, which are chopped into chips to create hemp hurd. When mixed with lime binder and water, the hemp hurd creates hempcrete – a bio-composite material that can be used to make building blocks, plaster, infill panels, and insulation. A hemp house is any building constructed using hempcrete.
Why HempCrete Homes?
Hempcrete homes have numerous advantages over other types of buildings, including:
Low Carbon Footprint
Hempcrete is a carbon-negative material, meaning that more carbon is absorbed by the hemp plant than is emitted from its production and application. Hemp absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide because it’s a tall, fast-growing plant that creates a woody stem to supports its height. Other building materials such as concrete and fiberglass have a significant carbon footprint.
Thermal Regulation
Hempcrete absorbs and stores heat when it’s hot outside, then releases it into the building when temperatures drop. As a result, your HVAC doesn’t overwork, leading to reduced energy bills.
Mold and Pest Resistant
Hempcrete is resistant to mold and pests thanks to its high alkaline levels. This eliminates the need to treat it with hazardous chemicals.
Non-Toxic and Non-Hazardous
Hemp is a hardy plant, meaning it requires little to no herbicides and pesticides on the field. This results in less environmental damage caused by harmful run-offs. Additionally, because of its all-natural raw materials, hempcrete won’t release any toxins into your home over time.
Humidity Regulation
Hempcrete contains air pockets that pull moisture from the atmosphere when humidity levels are high and release it when humidity levels fall. This not only helps you save on HVAC costs but also fosters better health for occupants.
Cost-Effectiveness
Hemp is easier to grow than trees and unlike concrete, hempcrete doesn’t have a complex and expensive manufacturing process. It’s, therefore, relatively cheaper to build with. Moreover, hempcrete dries and gets stronger with time, enhancing its durability and cost-effectiveness.
Ease of Use
Hempcrete weighs 6-8 times less than the typical concrete, making it relatively easy to transport and use. It also reduces the risk of injuries at construction sites.
Fire Resistant
Hempcrete is a non-flammable material with a fire resistance of up to 2 hours. It’ll pass the building fire codes of your area.
How Can We Help?
Being sustainable and cost-effective, the demand for hempcrete homes has skyrocketed over the last few years. More people are showing interest in hempcrete and its uses, and that’s where Hempcrete Homes comes in.
While we don’t build hemp homes, our blog provides the latest information on hempcrete and its numerous uses in modern architecture. We also collaborate with businesses that provide hemp home construction services and supplies to bring you a wide selection of hemp homes for sale and hemp house designs.
We have a discussion forum where you can ask questions and get feedback from experts or seek the opinions of like-minded individuals.