Industrial hemp offers us two types of raw materials for construction and insulation materials. On the one hand, the hemp fibers are outside, and on the other, the woody core of the stem, the so-called hemp seed.
Hemp fibers have been used to insulate homes for many years. Hemp fibers can be used very well, especially in wood construction. They have excellent physical properties and outperform conventional insulation materials in many ways. For example: good insulation, ability to absorb moisture and release it again, very low energy consumption in production and good environmental friendliness.
But not everyone needs a wooden house or a frame house. In many areas, durable construction, such as mud brick, is widespread and popular. To this day, few people know that hemp can also be used to build massive buildings!
The combination of hemp seed and natural lime gives a massive building material – hemp lime. Some people know the English name Hempcrete, where Hemp means hemp and Crete means concrete. We prefer to use the term hemp lime in German because concrete and natural lime are very different. Concrete is a very energy-intensive building material and, like natural lime, cannot absorb and release moisture due to its porosity.
A genius in this regard is the fusion of organic insulating material from the hemp fire with a mineral binder called natural lime. Like natural lime, hemp seeds have a porous basic structure as they serve as a transporting layer for nutrients in the plant. This provides very good insulation as well as the ability to absorb and release moisture. The two main materials are in perfect harmony and develop in their combination, like hemp lime, a wonderful interaction that we can feel in the microclimate of the house with the help of clean air, balanced temperature and humidity.
The benefits of hemp lime are particularly evident in the monolithic construction. A monolithic wall consists of only one material. For single-story buildings, depending on the load on the roof, there is no need for a supporting structure due to the inherent strength of hemp lime. There are also various options for calculating load transfer in a structure. The structural design depends on the layout, architectural style, and hemp lime processing method. Informed consultation with experts before construction starts pays off later in a smooth and efficient construction. The monolithic structure made of hemp lime is perfectly complemented in the surface design with natural lime or clay plaster due to similar properties.
The monolithic construction method using a suitable building material alone solves many of the problems of sandwich wall structures. Moisture and, as a result, mold usually occurs when using hydrophobic plastic insulating materials that cannot absorb moisture. Modern building technology tries to solve this problem by creating an airtight layer in the building envelope. In this case, forced ventilation is mandatory.
The many benefits of hemp lime.
Really save energy!
Hemp lime has very good performance in heat storage, heat reflection and thermal insulation. This provides long-lasting warmth in winter and coolness in summer. This property is further confirmed by the influence of the condensation energy in the wall. Unlike ordinary masonry, hemp lime houses do not require additional insulation.
The real solution to moisture problems!
Hemp lime is a diffusion-open building material, composed of many very small open pores that can absorb and release moisture, thereby preventing harmful condensation in the wall. Compared to conventional insulating materials, hemp lime retains its good insulating properties even when wet. Hemp lime regulates room humidity and, like clay, has a cleansing and disinfecting effect. Natural lime is alkaline and therefore has natural antibacterial properties to prevent mold growth.
Safe in case of fire!
Natural lime is a non-combustible mineral substance. In the composite material hemp lime, organic hemp seed is covered with mineral lime. Thus, hemp lime is generally non-flammable and provides very good fire protection.
Privacy and comfort!
Hemp lime has sound absorbing properties. This creates soundproofed rooms and a pleasant calm atmosphere.
Good for purse!
Homes with exterior hemp lime walls can be plaster or sheathed with wood. Quality interior walls can also be made. This saves time and steps. When making a purchase decision, all relevant costs are rarely taken into account, such as the cost of repairs and maintenance of building materials. The cost of disposal must also be taken into account, as the current example of expanded polystyrene shows.
Good for the environment!
Hemp lime is a very durable and at the same time simple building material. Thanks to the monolithic structure, the material is subsequently easily separated from the supporting structure and mounting elements and reused. In addition, it can be added to soil as a nutrient source for humus accumulation.
Good for a man!
Correctly formulated hemp lime is a 100% natural building material that is harmless to health. For your own safety, you should pay attention to the full declaration of ingredients from the manufacturer.
Back to basics.
Today’s construction technology is influenced by many external factors. There are legal regulations such as the Energy Saving Ordinance, economic conditions and many technical products that help build a good home. In addition, many builders often save on high quality building materials in order to have more money for other purposes. The original purpose of building the house has been lost. The question may seem simple, but important.
Why are we building houses?
If clothes are viewed as people’s second skin, then our homes and living quarters are the third skin. In fact, it is about creating a protected space. It should be comfortable and safe. He must give us strength and keep us healthy. How to create such a space? Reflecting on this question is a good foundation for future-oriented construction.
Natural building and building biology.
Many construction biologists, craftsmen, manufacturers and builders have taken up this issue. In natural building, the construction method using exclusively natural building materials is combined with nature as the ideal model for healthy and energizing rooms and closed cycles of raw materials. Building biology integrates all issues related to building and its importance to people in a holistic sense and consistently adheres to an interdisciplinary approach.