There are quite a few new trends in the cannabis-related industry, and one of them is construction and insulation using hemp.Hemp houses have been built in the UK, Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, and are now becoming more popular in the United States.
The material used is commonly referred to as hemp bricks, and it has become one of the most sought-after materials among eco-friendly building companies. It is seen as the new building material that could help our society develop a more sustainable future.
What is hemp?
Hemp is a bio-composite made up of the inner woody core of the cannabis plant . The composite is then mixed with a lime-based binder to create home. The result is a lightweight insulation material. Contrary to what most people think, it is not used to expand the infrastructure of a building, but rather to insulate. (better than carbon neutral). density (provides excellent thermal insulation)Rodent resistant (naturally resistant to termites)fire resistance to bending (anti-seismic)Allergy-free (no friendly (unlike other “green building materials” which still produce greenhouse gases)How to build a hemp house
Similar to most new industries, hemp construction is still not standard construction. Maybe one day you can walk into a hardware store, buy hemp bricks, and build your own house. But until then, you will have to rely on professionals to do the job. You will probably have to shell out money for an architect, which can cost between 10% and 15% of the total construction cost.
Another thing to consider when building a home with this material is location. This will greatly depend on local laws, regulations, prices and availability. Examine your site carefully. In some European countries such as Spain and Italy, entire villages and small towns have been abandoned, partly because of the difficulty of connecting them to the grid. So make sure you can connect to necessities, such as electricity and water.
For those of you who want to become totally eco-friendly, there is always the possibility of installing solar panels, passive solar heating, waste water recycling systems, rainwater harvesting, wind turbines and even micro-hydroelectric. Most of these systems can be easily installed and are not as expensive as you might think.
Also to discover -> 5 things to consider when choosing the right insulation for your home
Where to get bricks?
It’s hard to answer. If you decide to work with a company that specializes in construction of this type, they should have all the materials you will need. Otherwise, just look for a hemp dealer. They will tend to sell them by pallet or by truck.
Hemp homes are an amazing idea and will definitely transform our society into a greener and healthier one. Although building a hemp home can still be a bit of a hassle, the construction industry is definitely moving in the right direction.
