One may be inclined to believe that there is a limit to how useful a plant can be. After all, it’s just a plant, right? Well, the humble hemp would surprise anyone who thinks along those lines, and pleasantly so.

Hemp is one of the most versatile materials on the planet. History has seen it used as paper, rope and even in construction. It is believed that the pyramids, wonders of the ancient world that we marvel at even in the 21st century, are built of a biocomposite of hemp and lime; as it petrifies over time, such a compound would have the required flexibility and strength to survive harsh weather conditions for such long durations.

Harking back to the wisdom of the ancients, the modern construction industry has been quick to adopt the benefits of hemp as a construction material. High in material strength and the ability to withstand extreme conditions, hemp is fast becoming one of the choicest substances for engineers and the construction industry. Hempcrete, a biocomposite of hemp and lime, is already bringing in a silent but sure revolution in the industry.

But what is Hempcrete exactly, and how does it solve the problems that conventional construction materials fail to overcome? And exactly what are the structures that can be successfully constructed using hemp? To know the answer to these questions and more, continue below.

A Bit About Hempcrete

As mentioned above, Hempcrete is a biocomposite of hemp hurd or shiv together with lime. The mixture is prepared by combining the above components with suitable quantities of water. The lime acts as a binder that coats the hemp particles and, once it reacts with the water, the lime glues the hemp particles together to provide a high material strength. Any excess moisture is removed from the blend. The resultant residue is Hempcrete.

What differentiates Hempcrete from conventional construction composites is the fact that the binder in Hempcrete does not fill the voids between the hemp particles; it merely coats the particles and makes them stick to each other for a stronger consistency. When you look at the final mixture, Hempcrete has a lot of void space. This makes the material breathable and lightweight.

By altering the proportions of the ingredients, Hempcrete can be produced which has varied structural, thermal and moisture-absorbent capacities. Each variant is suitable for construction of different structural components and insulation.

So now that we know about what Hempcrete is made of, let’s take a look at the many advantages of building with hemp.

Naturally Sourced Material

Hemp is entirely organic and does not involve any synthetic components. As a result, the Hempcrete produced from hemp is naturally sourced and does not require a large amount of energy during production. This makes the material environment-friendly. Compared to Hempcrete, traditional construction materials have a large carbon footprint which is undoubtedly a cause of concern for the planet.

Low Maintenance

Just like the hemp plant, Hempcrete too is a low maintenance product that requires very little caring. Once used, the insulation lasts for a long time and helps to protect the built structure from the elements in an effective way.

Structural Strength