What is Hempcrete?
Hempcrete is a material made by wet-mixing hemp shiv with a lime binder. It provides a vapour-permeable, airtight insulating layer which also has great thermal mass. The result of this is a healthy, damp-free, natural indoor environment.
The CO2 absorbed during the growth of the hemp plant in combination with the continued carbonation of the lime binder, makes hempcrete a carbon negative material. This means that more atmospheric carbon is sequestered over the lifetime of the building than what is produced during the entire construction process.
In new-build, hempcrete is used to form walls in combination with a structural timber frame. It can also be used to create an insulating floor slab and roof insulation. It is therefore possible to achieve a consistent thermal envelope around the entire building.
Hempcrete is also the perfect material for insulating and repairing traditional buildings. It’s vapour permeability allows these buildings to breathe and prevents their deterioration by the build up of moisture. Hempcrete can be cast to follow the curves and character of any pre-existing wall or timber frames and panels. It’s loose-fill consistency allows it to fill and set in every void of uneven or irregular walls, ensuring an airtight and efficient insulation layer.
Hempcrete provides a warm, dry and chemical-free indoor environment.
No more cold..
The combination of the thermal mass and insulation in a single material lends hempcrete an extraordinary thermal performance. The interior temperatures of the building remain near constant with little need for heating. They stay warm in winter and cool in summer.
No more damp..
Hempcrete will buffer levels of humidity inside the home, absorbing and releasing moisture when humidity rises or drops accordingly. This eliminates wall surface condensation and keeps internal humidity at 40-60% which inhibits the growth of mold, bacteria and viruses.
No more chemicals..
Hempcrete achieves great ratings for fire-, rot- and pest resistance without the need of any treatment. The preservative qualities of the lime means that untreated softwoods can be used, leading to a cheaper and healthier frame.