As people become more aware of the environmental impact of traditional insulation materials, many are turning to alternative options like hemp insulation. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it also has superior insulation properties, making it an excellent choice for homeowners. If you’re considering installing hemp insulation in your home, it’s important to know how to do it correctly. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to install hemp insulation properly.
What is Hemp Insulation?
Hemp insulation is a natural and sustainable alternative to traditional forms of insulation. Made from the fibers of the hemp plant, it offers a range of benefits, from its thermal and acoustic properties to its eco-friendliness.
In particular, the Hemp insulation I used was Hemp-Flax insulation. It has a thermal conductivity of
0.039 W/mK and is made up of 62.5% Hemp fibres, 21.75% Jute fibres, 9% polymer binding fibre (PET-based), 4% soda (fire retardant).
Why Hemp?
My main reason for using hemp was because it is a breathable material which makes it perfect for insulating a stone house like mine, however, there are many other benefits to this insulation.
Hemp insulation is a natural and sustainable alternative to traditional forms of insulation. Made from the fibers of the hemp plant, it offers a range of benefits, from its thermal and acoustic properties to its eco-friendliness.
This step-by-step process is in relation to the hemp installation and not the stud wall.
This process is assuming you have your studs already installed.
Here is our stud installation if you are interested in how we did it.
We started with a line of thermlite blocks about 4 inches out from the stone. (You can see them in the pictures below).
We then sat our studding onto this. The stud is elevated then from the floor in case of any moisture etc. It is then tied to the ceiling and floor mostly.
We then wrapped our stud wall with a breathable felt (to stop the hemp from slouching or falling back).
For the studding we used 4×2 timbers.
Make sure to keep your timbers slightly smaller than the width of your insulation, so it fits in snugly between the timber and there are no gaps.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you begin installing hemp insulation, you’ll need to gather all the necessary materials. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Hemp insulation
- Measuring tape
- Knife or saw
- Staple gun and plenty of staples
- Protective gear, including gloves, safety goggles, and a dust mask
- Airtight membrane
- Airtight tape and airtight sealant
- Grommets for wiring that aren’t in the service cavity
Step 2: Prep the area
Before you start installing your hemp insulation, make sure the area is clean and free of debris. This will help ensure that the insulation is properly installed and won’t be hindered by any obstacles. You’ll also need to make sure that there are no gaps or holes in the walls or ceiling that could allow air to escape. Take particular care to the floor as you will be gluing your membrane to the floor afterward.
Step 3: Cut and install your insulation
This is definitely the easy part of the process. Measure, cut and install your insulation using your knife or saw.
The hemp is easy to cut and also you can tear parts off if it’s easier for you.
Make sure that the insulation is a snug fit and not too tightly packed.
Make sure also that there are no gaps.
Step 4: Airtight membrane
Once you have completed your installation of insulation you must then cover it using an airtight membrane like the picture below.
Use your staple gun to tack to the stud. Roll across to cover the entire wall.
When overlapping make sure the recommended amount has been used.
*important*
When installing the membrane make sure to leave an excess on the floor side and also the ceiling. This is to glue to the floor and to overlap with any ceiling membrane you are putting up.
Step 5: Airtight tape and glue
Once you have that completed the next step is to use your airtight tape to tape the joints up. Also if you have any wiring then that is coming through the membrane this is also the time to tape them and seal them using an airtight grommet.
Use your airtight sealant to stick the membrane to the floor. I used the Orcon F Flexible airtight solid acrylic sealant.
Step 6: Service Cavity
Once you have that completed you can then install a 2×1/2 or 2×2 service batten.
This is for any wiring that you want to install behind the wall. This is great for avoiding piercing holes in your membrane.
See the picture above.
Step 7: Plasterboard
The final step. Once your wiring has been completed you can now seal everything up and cut out your sockets.
Use the normal plasterboard and not a foil back to avoid sweating.
Conclusion
The downside to the studding, insulation, and service cavity is that we are losing a bit of space inside the house.
The upside is that we have a well-insulated home that is airtight inside and breathable on the outside.
Installing hemp insulation is a great way to reduce your environmental impact while also improving the insulation of your home. By following these simple steps, you can install hemp insulation quickly and effectively. Remember to take your time, wear protective gear, and be thorough in your installation to ensure the best results. With the right materials and techniques, you’ll have a well-insulated home that’s both comfortable and eco-friendly.
As people become more aware of the environmental impact of traditional insulation materials, many are turning to alternative options like hemp insulation. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it also has superior insulation properties, making it an excellent choice for homeowners. If you’re considering installing hemp insulation in your home, it’s important to know how to do it correctly.
