Eco-Conscious Living: The House Manure and Hempcrete House Revolution
Sustainable construction trends continue to employ advanced tech such as AI and solar. However, one organic revolutionary development making waves in the name of innovation is the use of hempcrete in construction. It is not just hempcrete but also the added surprising element of horse manure that redefines how people perceive eco-friendly housing options. Here’s all you need to know about the hemp and horse-dropping combo.
What Is Hempcrete and How Is It Used in Construction?
As the name suggests, hempcrete is a hemp-based, sustainable alternative to concrete. This bio-composite material is fashioned from the industrial hemp plant, also known as “shiv” or “hurd,” and then mixed with a lime-based binding mortar. Its high silica content allows it to bond well with lime in the form of calcium hydroxide.
This combination creates a lightweight and breathable insulating material that lacks the brittleness of concrete. However, unlike traditional concrete, hempcrete is not load-bearing, requiring a structural framework to support it. Still, it’s an excellent sustainable material for insulation, interior walls, and cladding.
Hempcrete can be used in new builds and retrofitting since its flexibility allows it to be installed through cast-in-place methods, prefabricated panels, or spray-applied insulation.
The textured, cork-looking finish of hempcrete allows for other organic finishing options, including lime render, plaster, or even natural finishes like tadelakt.
Horse Manure in Hempcrete
Hempcrete is already quite impressive, but that doesn’t stop those seeking to enhance its properties further. Enter horse manure, an unexpected additive. It’s rich in cellulose and fibers, which act as a natural binder when mixed into hempcrete. This additive enhances the durability and thermal insulation of the composite.
While it may sound unconventional, horse droppings are uniquely suited for such applications because of how horses digest their food. Food passes through a horse’s digestive tract within 45 to 72 hours thanks to their forage-based diet and relatively small stomachs.
This process leaves behind fibrous manure ideal for blending with hempcrete—a closed-loop sustainability system in which one industry’s trash is another’s treasure.
The success of horse poo in hempcrete highlights just how viable it is in the construction industry. By exploring unconventional alternatives, hempcrete builders are pushing the boundaries of what’s thinkable in sustainable construction. Will it be the next revolutionary trendsetter?
The Environmental Benefits of Hempcrete Houses
Its positive environmental impact is among the driving forces for why hempcrete should be widely adopted in the construction industry.
Carbon Sequestration
Hempcrete is a carbon-negative material — it continues to absorb carbon long after construction, storing more than what was emitted during construction. This is made possible by the lime binder, which absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, reducing greenhouse gases.
Raw, Renewable, Sustainable
Industrial hemp is able to mature for fiber production in as little as 60 days. It requires minimal water and no pesticides. This fast grower regenerates soil health and is a sustainable alternative to resource-intensive materials like traditional cement or insulation. Additionally, curing hempcrete requires significantly less water than conventional cement.
Thermal Regulation
Hempcrete has a lower thermal conductivity, about half of concrete. This mostly depends on the amount of shiv added, which affects density. Low thermal conductivity allows it to resist heat transfer more effectively and makes it ideal for energy-efficient homes.
Fire and Pest Resistance
Since hempcrete is mineral-based, it is naturally resistant to fire, rodents, and other pests. This reduces the need for additional treatment required of conventional materials used in construction, such as wood. In the case of a fire, the lime coating provides enough time and fire resistance for inhabitants to evacuate the building.
Waste Product By-Product
Additives like horse manure reduce agricultural waste and improve the performance of hempcrete. This is a win for the environment and innovation. Despite being a by-product, manure-infused hempcrete is odorless.
Challenges of Using Hempcrete in Homebuilding
The attractive benefits of hempcrete do not come without challenges.
> Non-load-bearing nature: This is the biggest hurdle for hempcrete since it requires an added structural framework for walls. This makes it a limited option in high-rise buildings or structures with great foundation demands.
> Production scale: Industrial hemp is making waves worldwide due to its flexibility, but the supply chain is still maturing. Fortunately, the Farm Bill passed in the United States in 2018, allows hemp to grow. Pricing and availability may be affected, although the increasing demand may offset this in the future.
> Building code acceptance: Since hemp is considered a fairly new material in many regions, builders may face obstacles when utilizing it for projects. However, partnering with architects, engineers, and contractors who are highly familiar with hempcrete is easy to resolve.
Holistic Hempcrete Homes
Hempcrete houses represent another emerging holistic option for sustainable construction. Their carbon sequestration, renewability, and energy efficiency are shaping how people think about environmentally committed homes. It’s one innovative package that might not be as technologically advanced as artificial intelligence and solar panels but is ingenious in its organic efficiency.
When paired with other green construction innovations, like solar panels and rainwater harvesting, hempcrete homes significantly reduce a household’s environmental impact. With every hempcrete wall built and every bag of horse manure repurposed, the waste loop is closed, and sustainable living becomes a reality, one house at a time.