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Over the last year or so i have seen several threads relating to hemp lime construction. I thought it only fair to post my details up, in order to ,hopefully, offer some information and/or advice on the practicalities of building in this way. I am currently about half way through (getting close to weathertight) the construction of an oak framed hemp and lime house. We are based in north cornwall. I am now even more convinced that this is one of the best methods of construction for modern housing and will happily extol its virtues to anyone that will listen. We have taken the hands on approach of shuttering and tamping and apart from getting a bit fed up towards the end, would highly reccomend this method for anyone with half an ounce of practicality, simple, fun (for a while) and pretty satisying. I wont go into too much detail to avoid repeating things in previous threads. The reason for this thread is to offer an open invitation to anyone who would like to view a hemp house during or even after the construction, i am also more than happy to offer my views and advice, although i am so busy trying to get weathertight i may struggle to reply to any questions quickly but i shall endevour to reply as soon as i can. bob
Hi Just come across this thread when looking for something else. I also have built an oak frame with hemp walls and used hemp to insulate the original house. I include a link to some photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/baschurchbill/sets/72157619633394624/ and would be happy to share any experiences.
I am wanting to use hempcrete on an oakframe house I am currently working on (currently in planning) and am looking for some advice.
We want oak frame exposed, and from what I see that is what you went for. Did you use the oak as the framework for the hempcrete? If so have there been any issues of the hempcrete cracking as the oak has dried out.
Thank you for putting your experience up here it is so useful for people like me who are new to these technologies and keen to learn more.
I am also working on an oak framed house with hempcrete infill. Although i have completed many hempcrete projects i haven't used it with an exposed oak frame.
How well does the hempcrete cope with the movement in a green oak frame?
Does the lime binder react with the oak at all? I have dropped lime plaster on my bare oak floor at home and the oak went green then stained red!!!
Hi Bob, I was wondering if you're still out there and if your offer still stands. We're converting a barn so not exactly the same situation but it would be useful to talk through how you got on with hempcrete and come over and have a look at the house. Thanks
We have hemcreted the inside of our stone cottage holiday let project. Also Limecrete floors with u/f heating. If you are anywhere near North Staffs i would be glad to show you round/talk you through it. Some pictures on t'internet if you google Shrubbery Cottage Cheddleton (other search engines are available).
Underfloor heating pipes in the middle of a lime/hemp wall powered by excess solar heat quickly dries out a Hemp/Lime wall. Pumping 18 degree water through the walls creates a heat-loss barrier and reduces the heat-loss from the wall by 80%. We'll test this method in conjunction with UCG in a test house.
Dominic, nice pics. I am planning to do this in a 600mm rubble stone cottage - did you have any concerns about water penetration and its potential for impact on the hemcrete? My walls are just a bit more random than yours! Using lime mortar inside and out to re-point with a lime parge coat before installing the hemcrete.
I also have a client I have quoted to install hemcrete on several internal walls also in a stone cottage - but stone blocks this time. I was planning to put a lightweight timber frame in to support the hemcrete but they are very concerned about the potential for issues with the wood being embedded in the hemcrete. I know that this is the standard approach (and hemcrete is breathable etc.) and have cited some examples but can anyone point me to something credible and specific that says that this is not a long-term rot problem waiting to happen?
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