Hemcrete® Design Questions
Q Can I use smaller foundations for a Hemcrete® house?
A. Yes, you may be able to use shallower/smaller foundations, subject to the approval of your engineer and your local building codes.

Q Can Hemcrete® be used in a loadbearing capacity?
A. Tradical® Hemcrete® has a compressive strength of around 116 to 145 PSI depending on method of application. It is
normally used together with a framing system (usually wood but steel or concrete are also viable), with the frame
transferring the vertical load of the roof and upper floors. The Hemcrete® can be used to provide racking strength to the frame if
required.

Q Is Hemcrete® available as blocks?
A. Yes. Blocks are available in two forms:
- Structural blocks (Target compressive strength is 435 PSI. Thermal performance is not considered) CO2 emission target is carbon neutral.
- Thermal blocks (Target compressive strength 145 PSI. Thermal conductivity is .064 BTU-hour-foot-Farenheit.) CO2 capture target is 10.3 lbs per cubic foot, which provides superb carbon sequestration)

Q Can Hemcrete® be used for other building purposes besides walls?
A Yes, Tradical® Hemcrete® has been successfully used in France and the UK for floor slabs, roof insulation and plasters. These product ranges will be launched in the near future.

Q Does Hemcrete® need weather protection?
A Hemcrete® walls are normally finished with a lime render or covered with a rain-screen cladding (masonry or timber) of some sort to protect them from the weather. We expect to launch a weather proof Hemcrete®, which will not need rendering, in the near future.

Q If it is used as an external wall does it need a cavity?
A No. Tradical® Hemcrete® provides the insulation and is used as a monolithic (solid) walling material.

Q Does it need movement joints when used in long walls, if so how often?
A No. The mechanical characteristics of Tradical® Hemcrete® are such that movement joints are not normally required.

Q What protection from rising damp is required?
A A masonry plinth should be constructed using lime based mortar and appropriate building bricks or blocks. We also recommend the use of good water management strategies, including proper drainage and design elements.

Hemcrete® Performance & Installation Questions
Q Is Hemcrete® fire proof?
A Yes, in tests at the CSTB in France 11.8 inch Hemcrete® blocks lasted for 1hr 40 minutes and then the mortar joints failed. Monolithic Hemcrete® walls should perform at least as well.

Q How air-tight is Hemcrete® ?
A Because Hemcrete® is used to build monolithic walls, it is extremely air-tight and air leakage through the walls is negligible. The R-value for a 12" wall is approximately 23.2. The R-value for a 20" wall is approximately 40.

Q Does Hemcrete® have a warranty?
A Tradical® Hemcrete® carries a manufacturers warranty covering the replacement of any defective material. The contractor or sub-contractor installing the Hemcrete® would warranty the work (subject to the conditions of the contract used).

Q How much does it cost to build with Hemcrete® ?
A Cost obviously depends on scale and design but spray-applied Hemcrete® is typically 15-20% more than conventional construction costs. These additional costs are typically recouped in 2-3 years due to greatly diminished heating and cooling costs.

Q. How do I purchase Hemcrete® ?
A. American Lime Technology is the exclusive distributor of Hemcrete® in the United States, and it will be available for purchase in early to mid 2008. Hemcrete® will be available to qualified specifiers and installers who complete our training program. (Schedule to be announced.)