Build a hemp house

[andyvh1959]

Giant hemp Legos

 

[PWC Repair]

There is a very large house down on the river here that was built with blocks like that about 15 years ago. I delivered all the HVAC equipment when it was rough-in stage. First thing I noticed walking down into the walk-out basement with 10ft ceilings was the funky straw like texture in the oversized blocks the walls were made of.

 

[cannuck]

We had an American guy driving through SK who stopped in the town of Craik and decided on the spot to just stay there. He built his home from flax straw bales to demonstrate the materials and technique. Relatively crude compared with these hemp blocks, but one thing we have in abundance is straw from oilseed crops - including flax. Alternative materials are fascinating and kudos to the guys in the link for taking it far enough to be commercial.

 

[OneEyedMan]

I raised hemp under a USDA license for three years, pre 2019. It does grow, produces a massive volume of material. That material is very hard on harvesting and baling equipment. I was never offered enough real money to keep growing it. I would be interested to see how those blocks compare to plain wheat straw for mold resistance. I can make plenty of tight straw bales for building.

As far as fire resistance, that’s not from the hemp. There is plenty of hemp baled and hauled here and a neighbor lost a semi load of bales last year to a fire started while doing some ill advised repairs. Not the loads fault but the instant the fire caught on the rearmost bale, it shot to the top of the load and raced to the front. That stuff burns very well.

 

[LXCam]

As far as fire resistance, that’s not from the hemp. That stuff burns very well.

What I’m wondering is if the house caught on fire would it be a hazardous waste issue or just a kickass party with lots of smoores?



And for you serious guys, yes I'm well aware of hemps properties - it was a joke son

 

[OneEyedMan]

What I’m wondering is if the house caught on fire would it be a hazardous waste issue or just a kickass party with lots of smoores?



And for you serious guys, yes I'm well aware of hemps properties - it was a joke son

I had one landlord ask me not to plant hemp on his property anymore. One of his neighbors was unhappy that his(the neighbors) kids were sneaking into my crop to steal a few plants. I guess I’ll be known as the guy with crappy weed.

 

[dcg9381]

We had an American guy driving through SK who stopped in the town of Craik and decided on the spot to just stay there. He built his home from flax straw bales to demonstrate the materials and technique.

Those homes are known for their high R value... I've never seen a "hemp" house though... Seems like it'd take a lot of energy to compress and print that stuff.

Speaking of printing, they've got 3-d printed homes around here.

 

[cannuck]

Those homes are known for their high R value... I've never seen a "hemp" house though... Seems like it'd take a lot of energy to compress and print that stuff.

Speaking of printing, they've got 3-d printed homes around here.

I'm impatiently waiting for someone to learn how to print insulation

 

[andyvh1959]

Interesting way to block build a house, seems a natural for someone wanting to build their house, or at least be the general contractor and do some of the work. Though, I don't recall in the video how the blocks maintain straight and plumb other than by the design of the blocks and pins. If that is the case the blocks would have to be made very accurately. Seems at some point some adjustment would be required, (like when truing up a stick framed wall). Maybe once a corner is started the bocks tend to self square and plumb?

Would be a cool way to build a smaller retirement style home. If the blocks are that easy to stack, trim, build the walls it seems a choice for someone doing some of their own work to contain some of the costs of building. The pre-cored blocks for wiring and plumbing makes it easier too. But, still have to build a deck on the foundation, or build a deck for the second floor, and stick frame or truss the roof. At least insulating the exterior walls is a non issue.

 

[Cruzan80]

I have seen similar walls in "earth-sheltered" homes, and other green builds. My wife and I talked seriously about wanting to do something like it, but the water issues in CO meant that raw land was a PITA to find and build a house on.

I told her that if we did that, I would need at least one door into the shop to be round and green, with a brass knob in the center...