HEALTHY HOMES
HEMPLIME CONSTRUCTION
H
empLime, also known as hempcrete, is a building material made by mixing hemp hurd (the chopped up inner stalk of the industrial hemp plant), a hydrated lime-based binder and water. It is installed within a wood framed structure and takes the place of insulation, house wrap, exterior sheeting and interior drywall. HempLime has been gaining momentum in the US since the 2014 Farm Bill passed which allowed for the cultivation of the industrial hemp plant but has successfully been used for hundreds of years where there have not been restrictions on hemp farming. HempLime can be used in new homes as well as retrofitting existing homes. On a small scale, it is a great option for ADUs and backyard studios.
The benefits of building with HempLime are highly advantageous when compared to traditional construction: • HempLime is fire and earthquake resistant. • It is mold, rot, pest and rodent resistant. • It is natural and non-toxic. • HempLime regulates air quality inside the home and is hygroscopic meaning it absorbs and releases moisture maintaining ideal humidity levels between 40% to 60%. • It maintains a steady interior temperature due to its thermal mass properties reducing heating and cooling costs. • It can be used for floors, walls and ceiling, providing a complete envelope for the home. • Hemp can be finished with many different materials such as a natural plaster, wood and metal cladding, stone, etc. to accommodate different design styles. • HempLime is a highly renewable resource and a carbon sink sequestering more carbon for the life of the building than emitted during cultivation and production.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please visit Perennialbuilding.com or contact info@perennialbuilding.com or 541-728-3189. Perennial Building is a Central Oregon general contractor focused on fostering sustainability, equity and community through the built environment. They strive to create homes that are built to endure the test of time while making minimal impact on the planet. 26
BEND HEALTH GUIDE | Spring 2021
