5 Environmental Benefits of Hempcrete Construction
What is Hempcrete?
Hempcrete is a type of non-structural concrete made from hemp hurds and lime. It can be used as the wall and floor material, acting as the exterior wall face, insulation and interior wall face.
Typically built with residential wood frame construction where the wood carries all the structural loads.
Hempcrete is a construction practice that is widespread across Europe and is now becoming increasingly popular across the entire globe.
1: Natural and Biodegradable Materials
Made from almost 100% organic, non synthetic materials which can easily degrade in with the soil once the structure’s life is complete
2: Hemp growth absorbs a ton of CO2
Hemp growth is proven to capture more than 2 times more CO2 than trees in 100 days time span.
- 1 hectare of trees absorb 10 tonnes of CO2 per year.
- 1 hectare of industrial hemp absorbs 22 tonnes of CO2 per hectare.
3: Hempcrete wall itself captures CO2
Process of lime hardening requires CO2 which means that the structure will keep capturing CO2 as the walls harden over time.
- Hempcrete can sequester 19 pounds of CO2 per cubic foot.
4: High R Value Material = Lower Heating Energy Usage
Hempcrete has a high R value, which means that the wall itself is the insulation. This can reduce the amount of energy used in heating the home.
- Hempcrete has an R-value of about R2.5 to R3 per inch.
5: High Thermal Mass = Lower Cooling Energy Usage
Hempcrete has a high thermal mass if it is built with high compaction. This can allow the walls to absorb heat during the daytime and release it at night. Keeping the house cool during the day and reducing the amount of energy used in cooling the home.
- Due to hempcrete’s high porosity and Moisture Buffer Value of 2 g/(m2.%RH) moisture gets entrapped within the many pores of the material resulting in the material gaining thermal mass
