As the world becomes increasingly concerned about sustainability, more and more people are turning to hempcrete as a building material. Made from hemp, lime, and water, hempcrete has many benefits that make it an attractive choice for both residential and commercial construction.
One of the most significant advantages of hempcrete is its low environmental impact. According to recent studies, hempcrete can capture up to 130kg CO2/m3, making it an excellent choice for reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry. Additionally, hempcrete has a low thermal conductivity of λ=0.06W/m.K, which means it can help reduce heating and cooling costs, further reducing its environmental impact.
But the benefits of hempcrete don't stop there. Here are some of the key facts and figures that demonstrate why hempcrete is a smart choice for building projects:
Density: Hempcrete has a density of 275kg/m3, making it a lightweight material that is easy to work with.
Flexural Strength: Despite its lightweight nature, hempcrete has a flexural strength of 0.3-0.4 N/mm2, which means it can withstand significant pressure without breaking or cracking.
Thermal Conductivity: The thermal conductivity of hempcrete is λ=0.06W/m.K, which means it has excellent insulation properties and can help reduce heating and cooling costs.
Heat Capacity: The heat capacity of hempcrete is 1500-1700 J/kg, which means it can store and release heat efficiently, helping to regulate temperature inside the building.
Mean Acoustic Absorption Coefficient: Hempcrete has a mean acoustic absorption coefficient of 0.69 NRC, which means it can help reduce noise pollution inside the building, creating a more peaceful and relaxing environment.
Air Permeability: The air permeability of hempcrete is 0.75 gm/m2/mm hg, which means it can help maintain good indoor air quality and reduce the risk of mold and moisture problems.
Vapour Permeability: The vapour permeability of hempcrete is 24.2 gm/m2/mm hg, which means it can help regulate humidity levels inside the building and reduce the risk of condensation.
μ Vapour Diffusion Resistance: The μ vapour diffusion resistance of hempcrete is 4.84, which means it has good moisture management properties.
Fire Rating: Hempcrete has a fire rating of 1 hour according to BS EN 1365-1:1999, which means it has good fire resistance properties.
Airtightness: Hempcrete has a low airtightness of <2m3/m2.hr@50pa, which means it can help reduce air leakage and improve energy efficiency.
Taken together, these facts and figures demonstrate that hempcrete is an excellent choice for sustainable building projects. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it also has many practical benefits that make it a smart choice for builders and architects. As more people become aware of the benefits of hempcrete, we can expect to see it become a more popular building material in the years to come.