Why Build with Hemp Blocks?
What is Hempcrete?
Hempcrete is an amazing natural building material with many advantages unfortunately, there have traditionally been several issues which have restricted its wider use, such as requiring specialist knowledge, inconsistent supply and ultimately higher cost.
We have resolved these issues by using hempcrete blocks, which require no specialist skills or equipment, and by Partnering with Senini we have secured a regular high-quality supply, making the blocks more cost effective and available for more general use. Hemp blocks are made with hempcrete, which is a mix of hemp plant (shiv), water and lime. This creates a low embodied carbon alternative to conventional insulated walling systems.
Are hempcrete blocks for you?
If you answer ‘yes’ to any above then hempcrete is for you, welcome aboard and give us a ring, we salute you and would really like to help.
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, then unfortunately hempcrete blocks are not for you, we wish you good luck with your project.
Eco Friendly
Our blocks are made of hemp shiv and hydrated lime. Hemp shiv is the chopped up woody stalk of the industrial hemp plant and is the waste from the hemp fibre industry. It is packed full of the carbon that the plant has taken out of the atmosphere during its growth.
When you build with our blocks you capture that carbon and fix it in the fabric of the building making our blocks carbon negative, as they have captured more carbon than it takes to produce and transport them. The advantage is doubled when you take in to account the carbon that would have been used to make the current insulation alternatives, making it a win, win.
The hemp shiv is mixed with hydrated lime, hydrated lime is made from burning and crushing limestone. Although this is an energy intense process the benefit of using hydrated lime is that it re-absorbs a lot of the carbon dioxide released during burning as it carbonates or sets, giving our blocks a further environmental advantage over other hempcretes.
This makes it more environmentally friendly than using hydraulic limes, or of course cement, which is burnt at a much higher temperature than lime and does not reabsorb carbon as it sets.
Both ingredients of our blocks are 100% natural and waste blocks or waste at the end of the building’s life poses no harm to humans or the environment.
Performance Advantages.
Hempcrete is a unique material. It provides insulation and thermal mass whilst acting as a backing for renders and plasters and as if that were not enough it regulates internal humidity keeping your homes air healthy.
Thermal Properties
Thermal conductivity W/mk (LAMDA) 0.07 UNI EN ISO 1378
Acoustic Properties
Sound absorption 1 – Class A UNI EN ISO 354
Sound reduction UNI EN ISO 10140
Humidity Control
2.8 ≤ µ ≥ 3.5
Fire Resistant
B – s1, d0 UNI EN 13501-1
Other
Insect and pest resistant
Handling/buildability advantages
Simple to use
No specialist equipment
Non-hazardous and non-toxic to work with

