Building with Hemp Hemp and hemp products can be used for so many applications, so it is not a surprise to find that it can be used to build a hemp house; the question you might ask is: is it a practical idea? Let's look at the facts and see why my answer is a big YES! The first point to mention is that hemp building is not a new idea - but the technology necessary is very new and constantly evolving. In Japan there is a hemp-built house aged over 300 years! The technology originated from France where a large proportion of hemp building materials come from. Three different combinations form the most commonly used hemp building materials:
The latter composite is used to make hemp bricks, the first is the most popular composite for hemp buildings. The composite should be chosen to suit the climate and specific requirements of the building. Houses built from hemp can be found from the Canadian snow and in many other places all the way down to the Australian tropics! Most hemp composites use the shiv or hurd, which is the term for the inner woody core of the hemp stalk. This woody core forms most of the stalk and in theory is merely waste. But due to the need for this material in composites, the hurd/shiv is in high demand. Alternative uses for this versatile fibre include absorbency products and animal bedding. Commonly, in hemp house construction, a concrete base is built first then timber frames are built on top, hemp + binder is used as infill for the walls. Construction methods do vary and are dependent on the types of binder & hemp used. Obviously hemp buildings can only be built where a supply of hemp is available. A recently developed construction method from Australia allows the whole plant to be used. The major benefit to this approach is that decortication equipment - which removes the fibre from the hurd/shiv - is not required. There are just six decortication facilities worldwide, as the start-up capital required is quite large. Not needing such a plant has major benefits as it allows house builders (or small farm co-ops) to grow their own hemp for building purposes. With this method only a chaffer/cutter is required to cut the stalks which can subsequently produce a proven infill material when mixed with a binder. Why build with hemp? To help answer this question, we should take a quick look at the state of the current construction industry:
These sombre facts demonstrate a problem so let's look at how the properties of hemp can lighten the load: Hemp is a Carbon Positive Resource: Beyond carbon neutral, hemp building is a carbon positive process. Affordable: Affordable buildings can be constructed using hemp - costs are comparable to cheap pre-fabricated brick veneer construction. (Work out your hemp building costs with this handy calculator which can be downloaded from: www.thehempbuilder.com) Thermally Efficient: Great thermal insulation is available from hemp-based construction materials due to their lower density. Resistant to Pests: Hemp has great rodent resistive properties and an inherent property of lime/hemp building materials is termite proofing. Fire Resistance: Hemp building materials are fire resistant, helping to keep homes safer, especially in bush-fire prone areas. Impressive Strength: Hemp is very strong and flexural, so it is suitable for building safer buildings within earthquake and tornado zones. A further advantage is the amount of material required; this will be lower to reach the same strength as conventional materials - which benefits cost and reduces environmental impact. Hypo-allergenic: Allergies are common these days and many building materials contribute to the problem; hemp however, is hypoallergenic. Hemp composites form "breathable" walls; which ensures a more balanced temperature/humidity and results in zero mould growth; mould being a common problem that exacerbates the suffering caused by allergies. This makes hemp ideal in areas subject to wide ranges of temperature, from day to night and from season to season! Having "breathable" walls creates very comfortable rooms indeed! Excellent Sound Insulation: The properties of hemp building materials that make it a great thermal insulator, makes it a good sound insulator as well. Render Friendly: Any regular renders can be used to finish with. Opting for a pure lime render, with coloured minerals also available to mix in, you will be able to stylishly match the existing design/environment. Recyclable: Hemp walls can be demolished and recycled directly back into rebuilding again! Alternatively, this material is suitable for direct use as a fertiliser. Healthy Home Environment: Adding to the value of your home, this construction method is approved by building biologists. Maintain Future Property Value: Green homes like hemp houses have low running costs and also retain value into the future. Truly Environmentally Friendly: In contrast to other supposed "eco-friendly/green building products, hemp has to top the list in sheer recyclability and planet-friendliness. What will my house look like? It is important to remember that these homes can be built in whatever way you need and do not have to resemble 'hobbit houses'. Most property styles can be built from hemp; see some fine examples here in this article. To see some other examples of hemp buildings, learn about all the techniques used in hemp building (including access to full building manuals) and an opportunity to attend a workshop on hemp building; visit: http://www.thehempbuilder.com. Build with hemp today for a better tomorrow! Paul Benhaim Consultant, hemp Building Projects
17 Aug 2011
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