This question seems to be asked by people that are thinking about Hempcrete as a material to use instead of cement.
Hempcrete is an excellent insulator. It is also an excellent material to use for walls and floors that only need to bear their weight. There are two reasons it is ranked as lightweight.
The first reason is because of what it is made of. The second reason is that it does not have many adverse effects on the earth.
Hempcrete by the Facts
According to sources, Hempcrete weighs ⅛ as much as to cement. This weight is a lot less when you think about the whole weight that’s poured into building sites using cement.
Hempcrete’s low weight is because it is less dense than cement. According to Hempcrete, Hempcrete’s total thickness is 85% less than that of cement.
This low density makes the material less dense than other building materials. The low density also makes it less easy to break under force, such as the force from earthquakes.
Because Hempcrete is lightweight when used in the building, DIY builders must get more support when building load-bearing walls and floors. This extra support comes in the form of wood frames, steel poles, and cement.
Here are a few examples of how Hempcrete’s lightweight can be useful in buildings and for the earth:
- Lessens the use of old-style building materials
- Lessens the carbon that is given off during the production of the other materials
- Carbon-negative and holds about 165 kilograms of CO2 per 1㎥[1]
- The helpful insulator that cuts energy needs
Why Hempcrete Isn’t Used as a Stand-Alone Material
Hempcrete is lightweight. Weighing less is both good and bad. When it is lightweight, it cuts the total need for materials when it is used. It is also suitable for insulating or using as a non-load bearing structure.
Hempcrete cannot be used alone because it does not offer the same load-bearing support that cement does. Instead, Hempcrete is needed in the total make-up of a building because it is suitable for insulation.[2]
How to Use Hempcrete as a Load-Bearing Structure
Although this hemp shiv and lime-based material cannot hold the weight of a whole building, it can with the help of other elements.
Hempcrete gets support by having wood, steel rods, and other load-bearing aids. These aids make up the frame of the whole structure.
Once the frame is built, Hempcrete can be used to fill the gaps to make walls or even floors. It can also be used in the building of roofs because it is lightweight.
However, you must mix old-style materials into your earth-friendly home. Then you’ll find that Hempcrete cuts your home’s need for cooling and heating.
How Hempcrete’s Lightweight Material Is Important for the Earth
This eco-friendly material is just the kind of innovation we need.
Hempcrete does the world right by being a magnet for carbon discharges. By holding over 100-kilograms of CO2 per ㎥, Hempcrete reduces carbon.
The effects of this discovery are huge when you think about how almost every material used in the creating of buildings gives off CO2 as they are being built.
This is what makes the material a workable answer to the trend of global warming. The rise in the earth’s populations is tied to the raising of CO2 emissions.
The population has caused an increase in food production, housing, and waste. As the world hurries to find emission-cutting tools, Hempcrete is a pure material with a significant impact.
The material removes carbon from the air. It also cuts our need for heating and cooling systems. Hemp shivs have tiny natural holes that let the material breathe.
The lime binder adds thermal mass because it is less dense. These two things join together to keep buildings from significant temperature changes.
This ability to keep a comfortable temperature makes it the right choice when looking for a lightweight material that is good for the world.
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