Natural, healthy, resilient and economic. Hemp homes are becoming increasingly popular, especially for those looking for a small house.
The building sector is paying greater attention to energy efficiency and the reduction of environmental impact. As such, many natural materials are being rediscovered. Wood is surely the most successful, with its use going beyond individual homes and into taller buildings. But it is not the only interesting material: bamboo, for ezample, is an extremely light, flexible and above all anti-seismic material, along with straw. Similar considerations can also be made for hemp.
The advantages of a house made from hemp:
Why build hemp houses? Hemp fiber is a material with a thousand uses, thanks to its surprising properties. It is completely eco-sustainable and is the plant that produces the greatest plant mass faster, absorbing more CO2 than other plants during its growing period.
More thermal insulation and less humidity
Hemp houses are extremely performant in terms of thermal and acoustic insulation. Thanks to the particular structure of its fibers, hemp also manages to incorporate much more water vapor than other natural materials, regulating the level of internal humidity and temperature changes. Hemp bricks are also flame retardant, because hemp – when in contact with lime – becomes mineralized and also becomes resistant to mold, bacteria and rodents, thus reducing the need for maintenance interventions.
Thanks to the lower number of necessary materials and layers, the production process is also simpler and cheaper. In a wooden house, for example, an insulating layer, a breathable membrane and a barrier against humidity must generally be added while hemp houses manage to perform all these functions by themselves.
Reduced load capacity means it’s only suitable for small homes
There is one limit: hemp, being a very ventilated material, has a reduced load capacity. It is therefore very unlikely that we will see tall, complex buildings built using this material, but it is hoped instead that the material will become increasingly popular for tiny homes. Small, flexible homes, designed as secondary residences or suitable for those who love to travel or live in places surrounded by nature.
DIY hemp houses
An interesting aspect of this small house is that it, although it can be built by a professional team, in some cases you can also choose the do-it-yourself option. In this case, the basic equipment and all the necessary equipment is usually provided. Experienced builders can request team support in the field or take some of the courses organized by the hemp house production company before getting to work!
