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Building a house is no joke. Building with hempcrete is no exception. Learning to navigate the unique challenges of natural building construction can help you achieve your dream home more effectively.
Here are several key considerations you should be aware of before planning your new hemp house:
Hempcrete, a fresh mixture of hemp, lime binder, and water, can create quite a mess during construction. As it is mixed on-site, the process can lead to significant dust and dirty clothes. Constantly mixing fresh hempcrete and transporting it in buckets to the hemp wall creates a chaotic construction site.
In new construction sites, you can anticipate dirt and mess, making the resulting disorder less problematic. However, you must still pay attention to fixtures and other finished components to avoid unintended damage. When installing hempcrete during a renovation or inside an existing building, the mess can become a significant complication.
Protecting existing structures and maintaining a clean working environment is crucial. Taping, covering, and shielding any exposed areas prevent potential damage from exposure to the lime binder.
As we will see in point four down below, not every hemp home has to come with such considerations.
Hempcrete has a natural curing period of 30 to 60 days. As you install fresh hempcrete, the moisture in the mixture must evaporate for the hemp wall to harden and cure. This drying process is crucial because the chemical bonds that give hempcrete its beneficial properties form during this stage.
Therefore, allowing sufficient time for curing is imperative.
During the curing process, you must keep the external and possibly internal scaffolding in place because the walls still need to be rendered afterward. The curing time for your hemp home can vary significantly depending on factors such as:
When planning your project, factor in the extended curing period as it can cause delays and additional costs. Accounting for higher equipment rental and other ongoing expenses can help you avoid financial headaches.
Incorporating hempcrete into your design from the initial stages of planning with your designer can save you thousands. If your plans are already in progress, you may still have time to make adjustments for the best outcome for your hempcrete home.
Here are a few crucial considerations when designing a hemp house:
Thicker Walls: Hempcrete walls are typically thicker than standard builds, usually ranging from 250 to 300mm. You also need to apply a lime render to these walls. Apply 2 cm of render on internal walls and up to 3 cm on external walls, depending on your fire zone rating.
Internal Bottom Plate: Install a bottom plate internally to cast and align the hempcrete. This plate provides a guide for the internal formwork and ensures a cleaner construction process.
Supporting Heavy Fixtures: To hang heavy cabinets and appliances, offset noggins flush with the hemp wall. This is essential for items like kitchen cabinets or reverse air cycle units.
Vertical Conduits and Services: Ensure that conduits and services run vertically through the frame for efficient installation and maintenance.
Designing a hemp house correctly from the beginning requires experience and a deep understanding of the material. Taking these factors into account will help you maximise the benefits of hempcrete and avoid costly modifications and alteration later on.
Different ways to harness the amazing benefits of hempcrete.
Building a well-insulated and energy-efficient home is now required by the Australian code, as you have to aim for the required 7-star rating. Hempcrete will help you achieve this, regardless of the method you think best for you.
Hempcrete Blocks: Hempcrete blocks are a valid alternative to cast-in-place. They offer similar performance while being significantly more affordable and easier to install. They are great for renovations and extensions too.
Mixing cast-in-place with hemp blocks: Combining cast-in-place hempcrete with hemp blocks can cut costs, simplify the install process and guarantee the same iconic look of cast in place hempcrete.
Cast-in-place: Traditional cast-in-place hempcrete is the most popular method, but it is also the most expensive and complicated. You can leave internal walls unrendered if you prefer that look.
Understanding more about the different hemp blocks applications could save you thousands on your build.