Hempcrete: A Game-Changer in Eco-Friendly Construction

The existing trend will not affect the further development of the construction industry significantly due to the increased demands to environmentally friendly materials.

One of the solutions under development is hempcrete – a material that is based on the inner density of the hemp plant and a lime binder.

It is therefore an innovative material that has revolutionalized the green building.

Now it is time to talk about what hempcrete is, how it performs, and why more and more environmentally friendly construction companies decide to use this product.

What is Hempcrete?

It more commonly referred to as hemp-lime is a highly durable and sustainable building material.

Different from the normal concrete that is made of sand, gravel, cement, hempcrete is a low density building material made from the inner woody core of the industrial hemp stalks or shies and lime.

The final created structure in a building this is in a form of a breathable, non-load bearing material suitable for insulation, infill and temperature control.

This material is derived from biological sources and has been in use for several centuries in specific cultures but is has again gained popularity throughout the world in the recent past because of this growing emphasis on green building.

Hempcrete is most often used on-site where the material is cast directly into a mold but it can also be pre-cast and cast into blocks and panels.

The Benefits of Hempcrete in Construction

Compared to conventional building materials, hempcrete has a series of advantages benefiting from the environmental aspects, energy, and human health.

Eco-Friendly and Renewable

Hemp can grow at a remarkable speed: it consumes less water, is not an object of interest to pests and reptiles; takes very little territory.

In construction, through photosynthesis, hemp is capable of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO₂) throughout the plant growing phase as well as during the conversion of hemp into hempcrete.

This assisted in sequestering carbon hence the emissions from other construction activities in the production of hempcrete were off-set, making it a carbon negative material.

Heat and Noise Barriers

The low density of hempcrete makes it an appropriate insulator, storing temperatures constant from the outside environment.

It also provides natural sound proofing hence minimizing on noise vandals in some parts of homes and businesses.

This dual utilization of this material makes it suitable for construction of energy-efficient comfortable buildings.

It is very comfortable to wear as it is neither too tight not too loose and besides it is breathe easy material and has moisture control layer.

In contrast to the regular concrete, the properties of this material upriver buildings ‘to breathe and adjusts internal humidity, thus preventing growth of fungal infections.

It is a great feature for implementing in areas with high humidity as it eliminates the constant use of a fan or air dehumidifier.

Durability and Fire Resistance

Compared to other building products, hempcrete does not catch fire easily, it is resistant to pests, and it is relatively challenging for it to decay, hence makes construction projects last longer.

Although it is not utilised as a load bearing material, when used in conjunction with a wooden or steel frame, the structures produced are strong and safe.

Healthier Indoor Environments

In many cases they give off gases such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as other toxic chemicals.

As hempcrete is organic in nature, and has no volatile organic compounds, there can be no question of stale air and bad health due to toxic air.

Challenges and Considerations in Using Hempcrete

In addition to its many benefits, hempcrete also presents some difficulties which must be overcome before hempcrete can become one of the primary building materials.

Limited Structural Support

Again, hempcrete is not a structural material it needs a frame, thus adding on the cost of the structure and its construction.

It would therefore be unreliable in any type of building especially high rise buildings.

Cost and Accessibility

At present, hempcrete construction is still more expensive than traditional building materials due to low industrialization and relatively unoptimised supply chain.

In addition, due to some regional policies, the use of industrial hemp is still quite limited as the crop has not been legalized in all states.

Longer Curing Time

Hempcrete take longer time to set compared to normal concrete, this adds to the construction time.

This characteristic may not strike well when working on projects that require quick delivery of the outcome.

Skills and Knowledge needed

Another disadvantage of using hempcrete is that it is relatively a new entrant to construction industry, hence there are limited skilled professionals.

Some increase may be needed for the structural builders or architects to master the application of this hempcrete.

How Hempcrete is Transforming Eco-Friendly Construction

Hempcrete has already started altering the concept of green building through invention and campaign.

It is being widely implemented by organizations as pressures from pollution compel organizations to reconnect with their environment in a positive ways.

Here are some ways this material is making an impact:

Green Building Certifications

Construction and structures that use hempcrete are good candidates for earning certifications like LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

These certifications once again foster elements that are beneficial to the environment, and use of such a material.

Advancing Circular Economy Practices

There are social benefits because the materials used to make hempcrete can be considered as renewable and biodegradable.

Once it has served its life span as the building material, it can then be recycled or allowed to rot away leaving no hazardous materials behind.

Inspiring Policy Changes

The problem is that as governments and organizations open their eyes to the environmental advantages of industrial hemp, policies designed to regulate its production and usage continue to be relaxed.

This could lead to greater utilization of hempcrete by the construction industry.

Powering the Construction by Community

The use of this material has been recommended for the small-scale projects around the community.

A combination of its ability to simply be mixed with local materials and being relatively light, it can be used to support construction endeavors at the grassroots level within developing or rural regions.

Conclusion: Hempcrete and the Future of Sustainable Construction

Hempcrete can be described not only as an innovative material with potential for construction, it is also the sign of the change in builders’ attitude towards the environment.

Some of the properties by the enamor of building experts include carbon sequestration, energy efficiency, and breathability in its composition hence its ability to facilitate formation of environmentally-friendly structures.

Of course, this list has not been exhausted; there are some common barriers like cost, access, and structural concerns are still there, but the increasing development in technology, efficient and efficacy in education, and modification in policy also made door to make this change wide open.

While the awareness is being created and the industries work towards further implementation of the material, it has the potential for huge implications in the area of sustainable construction.

For homes, offices, retail stores or any project requiring building and construction, hempcrete is about the future and a sustainable future at that.

Also read: Energy-Efficient Affordable Housing Ideas