The qualities of Saint Astier® natural hydraulic limes are ideal for making hemp mortars. A special binder, Batichanvre ®, has been prepared for making Hemp mortars.
Hemp construction is an eco-friendly alternative for insulating walls, light-weight flooring, and ceilings. Hemp is a natural material suitable for making lightweight insulating mortars. Its density vary between 185 and 253 lbs per cubic yard. The strands should be 3/16 and 1 inch long. The thermal conductivity of hemp in bulk is 0.05 W/m.K.
Attention has to be take in order to make sure that the hemp is not subject to dampness either due to stocking conditions of the raw material or capillary action in hemp mortars (adequate damp courses if constructing walls or insulating/draining ballast base in concrete should be in place).
Batichanvre Technical Data & Documents
Examples and More Information
- Beate Kirmse – Breathable Lime Finish
- www.stastier.co.uk/nhl/guides/hempconstruction.htm
The number of bags is calculated with the following parameters:
- Hemp hurds density: 6.85 lbs/cu.ft.
- Mixing ratio: 1 bag of Batichanvre (25 kg) + 3.5 to 4.5 cu.ft. of hemp hurds.
- Density of cured hempcrete: 22 to 26 lbs/cu.ft. depending on compaction.