Blocks are used for the construction of perimeter and interior partition walls. They are composed of natural materials (mainly lime and canapulo) and appear as parallelepiped prisms, with a rough surface that is rough to the touch and a porous texture determined by the grain size of the mixture. They are available in different sizes, depending on the manufacturers, with thicknesses ranging from 10-12 cm – usable for partition walls – to thicker thicknesses, to be used for perimeter walls.

Blocks cannot be used for load-bearing masonry and, therefore, cannot perform the structural function as is the case with brick or concrete blocks. This peculiarity always sees them compulsorily coupled with load-bearing structures formed by traditional building materials, such as wood, steel, reinforced concrete, brick, etc.

Installation does not require special attention and is very similar to that of traditional blocks. For material homogeneity and consistency of construction, it is a good idea to use a lime or lime and canapulo mixture as bedding mortar. The blocks are manageable and light, have easy workability as the consistency allows cutting with normal site tools (e.g., circular or hand saw) and subsequent easy adaptation to dimensional requirements.

Hemp panels and slabs are used for thermal and acoustic insulation of walls, floors, and roofs, and also in the construction of overcoat systems.

The panels consist of hemp fiber combined with other components with a fixative function, such as, corn starch, adhesives or natural resins in varying percentages (usually around 10-15%). They come in the classic shape of the insulation panel with a density that can vary greatly:

– low to medium (30/100 kg/mc) – giving rise to soft, semi-rigid or rigid materials. The former can be aesthetically reminiscent of mineral fiber boards (e.g., rock wool), while the latter are reminiscent of wood chipboard. They are available on the market in different sizes and various finishes, depending on the manufacturers, with thicknesses ranging from 20 to 240 mm.

The boards are formed from hempwood mixed with natural binders or glues or resins, with any other natural components added. They have high density (greater than 100 kg/mc ) and thicknesses that can vary from 10 to 60 mm.

The installation of panels and slabs does not require special care and is very similar to that of traditional analogs: they are easy to handle, have easy workability, and cutting can be done with normal site tools.

Performance-wise, they are distinguished by having marked thermal-acoustic insulation, sound-absorbing and moisture-regulating characteristics, breathability and composed of natural materials.

Coat systems employing hemp panels often consistently combine the use of other environmentally sustainable materials (hemp-based or lime-based, clay, unfired earth, etc.), making it possible to obtain a completely natural construction package with marked thermal-acoustic insulation and breathability characteristics.

In addition to factory-produced materials, the use of hemp in construction can be put in place by directly packaging the mixture on the construction site or by using pre-packaged mixtures that are transported to the construction site with special containers. Even in these cases, these are mainly mixtures that arise from the use of the three basic components-hemp, lime and water-to which additional elements can be added to obtain:

• conglomerates for making insulating layers;
• mortars and plasters;
• aggregate materials.

All mixtures can be put in place manually or with the help of special machines, listed here are some works made with hemp put in place.

The conglomerate of lime and hemp is used for the construction of insulating layers of vertical (walls), sloping (pitched roofs) and horizontal structures (attic, floor underlayments, flat roofs), both interior and exterior.

The mixing of the components can be done at the construction site-simply adding water to the ingredients-or be pre-packaged at production plants (as is the case, for example, for ce-ment concrete) and then transported to the installation site in large containers (so-called “big-bags”).

The conglomerate is self-supporting but cannot be used for the construction of floors and load-bearing masonry and, therefore, cannot perform a structural function. For this reason, its use is always associated with load-bearing elements made of other materials. Its function is, therefore, as an insulating completion or infill, and it can be laid by hand or with the spray projection technique.

In horizontal or sloping roof structures, the compound can be cast between the load-bearing warp or can form a top completion insulating layer with the function of a screed.

The compressive strengths of the latter vary widely depending on the components of the mix and in dependence on their dosage: there can be non-walkable, walkable, and walkable artifacts.

For vertical structures, the laying can be done:

• with casting inside formwork, to be removed or disposable;
• by casting in the cavities, for example in the case of “sandwich” walls (also called “hollow-case” or “box” walls);
• distributed on the surfaces of vertical structures, for example, in the case of creating the insulating counterwall of an existing wall.

Casting with the help of formwork is often carried out to make walls with significant thicknesses that have embedded within them wooden frame structures – consisting of planks, laths, uprights – that are made integral with the load-bearing structure. In this way, integrated and well-insulated structures can be obtained, which are ideal for the construction of perimeter walls.

Performance-wise, like other canapulo-based building components, the conglomerate is distinguished by its thermal-acoustic insulation, sound-absorbing, moisture-regulating, and breathability characteristics.

Completing the diverse world of hemp-based materials are premixed plaster products for vertical and horizontal surfaces, applicable by machine or by hand indoors or on exterior walls. It is an environmentally friendly product that is characterized by being particularly breathable, dehumidifying, with sound-absorbing power. Some products are also capable of providing thermal insulation performance.

Main components

• aerial lime and/or natural hydraulic lime
• any other natural hydraulic binders
• heapulo (hemp wood) or mineralized heapulo
• any natural additives

Main characteristics

• thermal and acoustic insulation (only for some products)
• thermal inertia (only for some products)
• breathability and moisture absorption/release
• fire resistance/ fireproofing
• frost resistance
• soundproofing power
• ecological profile with low embedded energy and natural, renewable,
• recyclable, reusable components
• imperviousness to insects, rodents, pests
• compatible with traditional and/or pre-existing plasters (support layer)
• carbon negative footprint (only for some products)

Then there are finishing products for painting and decorating interior and exterior wall and ceiling surfaces.

In addition to hemp extracts (finely ground hemp and/or hemp oil) there is usually the co-presence of other components of natural origin: from lime putty to organic compounds (such as milk or egg extracts and linseed oil), from minerals to pigments for various colorations

They are generally water vapor and water permeable paints that are applied by brush or roller until a thin or, in some cases, thick coating film is obtained. They have marked characteristics of breathability and protection against the attack of organisms such as mold, bacteria and fungi.