Hemp. It’s one of those wonders of the world that every generation finds a new use for. Naturally, we don’t advise inhaling, but the many uses of hemp have widened from rope-making and clothing fibers to this newest usage, which has been making quite a splash in the U.K. construction industry.
Lhoist UK just released a new product called Hemcrete, an intriguing blend of hemp, water and lime. Hemcrete is an alternative to traditional concrete and has surprising (or maybe not so surprising) benefits over its conventional counterpart.
Sustainability
Like other plants, hemp collects carbon from the air and stores it within, while releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. The bonus here is that hemp takes in more carbon than the manufacturing of Hemcrete gives off, making it a carbon-neutral product.
Energy Efficient
Hemcrete, when installed as a wall fill-in, creates a large thermal mass which serves as advanced insulation. This means that when used properly in wall construction, no additional insulation needs to be added—which also means less labor and materials have to go into the project.
Superior Building Material
Hemcrete is just as beneficial to the contractor as it is to the homeowner over time. Since the product is lighter than traditional concrete, it makes projects run smoother and faster, reducing time and costs on any given jobsite.
Additionally, Hemcrete is vapor-permeable, so it will continually dry the wood that surrounds it, assuming it’s used in timber frame construction. By keeping moisture from penetrating the wood, Hemcrete essentially keeps the structure’s frame from rotting and deteriorating due to the elements, lengthening its longevity.