Hemp Homes Might Revolutionize The Building Industry

Hemp homes aren't anything new. However, in recent years, more individuals and building companies have become increasingly interested in turning to consider the benefits of hemp, specifically in opting to use hempcrete as a part of their building plans.

There are thousands of potential uses for hemp: fuel, food, clothing, animal bedding, medicine, and much more.

Hemp can be used as a building material in a variety of ways and though it was discovered many years ago, it's been seeing a re-birth in popularity lately.

Hemp is referred to as being the world's most sustainable building material.

And a growing number of folks not only in the US, have been looking to reconsider the vast potential that this building material has to offer. And though it might have a lot of potential, those who favor this building material have a big hurdle ahead of them in trying to battle the stigma surrounding this plant.

For right now, special permits are still required for those in the US who want to build with hemp, using something like hempcrete. The requirements surrounding those permits vary between states, sometimes even by county.

Despite the difficulty, many entrepreneurs are still trying to grow this space.

It's estimated that there have been at least 50 homes constructed in the US that can be referred to as modern hemp houses.

pictured above is a modern hemp home that's located in NC
There are now a myriad of different companies scattered around the US that have started to incorporate hemp into their building methods. You can find them in places like Colorado and Washington. And it isn't only gaining popularity in the US either, as interest has sprung up around the world.

You can find hundreds of buildings located around Europe that were built with hempcrete.

Hemp homes have been built in Israel, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and elsewhere.

According to industry experts, they suggest that one of the biggest problems facing those in the market at the moment is the issue with meeting building codes; it's difficult to get approval.

And not only that, but they say that trying to get a mortgage for such a house has also proven to be rather restrictive. To try and avoid issues, they want to have hempcrete certified by building coders, rather than having to have each one individually inspected and approved.

To try and rectify the confusion and streamline the potential revolution of the building industry, interest in places like Washington has been growing to have a processing plant established. This way, local farmers who are interested in growing the crop can take part in supplying the building industry. Right now they are finding that they can grow it but they want the freedom to be able to do more with it.

Pics:
via fitsnews - fitsnews.com/2017/01/26/farmers-rally-behind-sc-industrial-hemp-bill/
via AwesomeStories
via Inhabitat
via Preston Schlebusch/NYT

Sources:
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/feb/04/centuries-old-hemp-grows-in-popularity-for-home-bu/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/science/hemp-homes-cannabis.html
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/12/this-is-the-house-that-hemp-built/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-06/house-of-hemp-calls-for-a-processing-plant-in-wa/8325130
http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-hemp-growers-limbo-some-cast-eyes-oregon
https://303magazine.com/2018/01/colorado-company-hempcrete/
http://www.westword.com/marijuana/help-build-denvers-first-permitted-hempcrete-building-9470824
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/07/nyregion/cannabis-construction-entrepreneurs-use-hemp-in-home-building.html

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