What Is Hemp Lime?
Hemp Lime is a proven construction material principally used for casting solid insulating walls in buildings. It is also widely used for under-floor and roof insulation, as well as attractive decorative internal finishes to maximise the benefit of energy conservation it provides.
Hemp Lime products are composite materials formed from the mixture of hemp shiv (also known as hurd), the woody core or pith of the hemp plant, and lime based binders. Hemp is the main lightweight filler, or aggregate, and lime is the binder and preservative. On hardening, the composite forms a rigid lightweight material with excellent insulation and durability characteristics. Hemp lime is among the most sustainable of building materials.
Hemp Lime products offer to mainstream construction, materials that have the ability to make a very significant contribution in combating global climate change. Fast growing hemp takes Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and stores Carbon during its growth and releases Oxygen into the atmosphere. This captured Carbon can then be retained within the fabric of a building. Sequestration of atmospheric CO2 in this manner offers an exciting © Reproduced by permission of Modece Architects opportunity to grow and produce truly sustainable, natural fibre based, insulation and construction materials
Construction with hemp lime products is simple, providing robust, healthy buildings with a durable fabric. Hemp Lime is both hygroscopic as well as vapour permeable and so provides a healthier breathing construction. In-situ the hemp lime mix is most commonly placed either pneumatically or by light hand compaction between temporary shutters. On completion the hemp lime is generally plastered or rendered with lime based products, including hemp lime, thus providing a fully vapour permeable and very attractive appearance.