This is the second project we are featuring using an environmentally friendly method of building with Hemp, a tall annual plant grown for its fibre (nothing to do with drugs) and a lime based binder; all produced in the United Kingdom.

The dry hemp stalks (shiv) are cut into suitable lengths and cleaned ready for use. On site the hemp is mixed with a lime based cement before packing into shuttering within the double timber frame. When the hempcrete is partially cured the external shuttering is removed.

Advantages -
Only a fraction of the energy is used compared to conventional building methods.

The hempcrete is highly insulating, a 300ml. wall will give a U value of app. 0.2, therefore no more insulation is necessary.

A Hempcrete wall is airtight, achieving below 2.0 cubic meters per square meter per hour @ 50 Pascal of pressure.

Hempcrete locks away CO2 within its construction. Approx. 40kg. of CO2 per meter square of wall.

The Hempcrete wall can be rendered immediately onto its surface using lime render or have a timber, brick or stone exterior cladding built against it.

Hempcrete gives a good sound barrier for internal walls.
Hempcrete is not able to take heavy loads so it fits well into a timber frame construction.

Hempcrete is resistant to rodents, mould and fungus, it withstands fire, easily conforming to current building regulations.