Hemp and its by products have become incredibly popular in recent years due to the plant’s versatility and amazing advantages. In this article, we will learn all about the benefits of hempcrete, a novel material used for building. The hemp plant has been used for thousands of years because it offers numerous applications, including industrial ones. The stalks of the plant can be manufactured into paper and textiles, and even into biodegradable plastics.
One of the most exciting developments has been using hemp in construction in the form of hempcrete. This product is an eco-friendly option that is made out of the inner core of the hemp plant stalks and is then mixed with other binder materials. Besides being a more sustainable option compared to other heavy-carbon emitting materials, hempcrete is also beneficial for being more lightweight and breathable.
The benefits of hempcrete make this product stand out when you compare it to traditional building materials due to its sustainability. To produce hempcrete, you need to harvest hemp plants. These plants require a smaller amount of environmentally damaging pesticides, are a fast-growing crop and require significantly less water than other crops. In addition, hempcrete also helps the environment by absorbing carbon monoxide from the atmosphere. This helps to ease the carbon footprint of the construction industry.
Hempcrete can also help the building save energy, providing exemplary insulation. Using hempcrete aids in regulating temperatures indoors. This does not only protect the environment by reducing energy consumption but can also help you save money on bills! Finally, it is an incredibly long-lasting material, as it is naturally resistant to mold, as well as different types of pests.
We established that hempcrete is a great building material, but do the benefits of hempcrete outweigh the ones of traditional building materials? There are a variety of factors to consider. Hempcrete is a sustainable material with a lower environmental impact, nevertheless, it is not always a suitable replacement for traditional concrete. Although hempcrete is a breathable and strong material, it is not suitable for structural foundations.
However, you can securely use hempcrete for different areas where insulation and sustainable practices are a priority. What this product excels at is creating energy-efficient homes, leading to lower heating and cooling system usage. Depending on the building project, especially in larger-scale buildings that require major structural strength, traditional concrete might be better suited.
As hempcrete is a fairly new type of building material, it is hard to give a precise answer about the overall lifespan of this product. Yet, there are several studies that suggest that hempcrete could potentially endure for centuries if it is maintained properly. As we established previously, the fact that hempcrete is resistant to the elements, mold and different pests definitely contributes to its longevity. If we look at traditional bricks, we have certainty of their track record, as they have been lasting for hundreds of years with very minimal maintenance.
While traditional bricks can offer immediate strength and durability, they tend to build up moisture inside, which over time can cause severe structural problems. Hempcrete, however, is incredibly breathable, which extends its lifespan preventing deterioration. In this article, we have dived deep into the benefits of hempcrete to understand its advantages and suitability for construction projects, and most importantly how this material can revolutionize the industry as it becomes more and more popular for those looking to find more sustainable alternatives to care for the environment.
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