Green building is an increasingly widespread concept in the construction sector. The term refers to a philosophy that aims to reduce the environmental impact of residences and ensure the well-being of those who inhabit them.
Among the most innovative and effective solutions, the use of natural materials such as lime and hemp is proving to be fundamental for reducing energy consumption and improving the sustainability of buildings.
What is green building?
Green building (or sustainable building) is a discipline that aims to design, build and renovate buildings using natural materials and construction techniques that respect the environment. The goal is to minimise the environmental impact, both during construction and throughout the useful life of the building. A green building approach has not only to do with the choice of materials, but also with energy efficiency, water management, air quality and living comfort. In this context, materials such as lime and hemp offer significant benefits.
Lime and hemp: natural materials par excellence
The combination of lime and hemp is considered an innovative solution in green building. These materials, both natural and sustainable, are capable of reducing energy consumption, improving thermal and acoustic insulation and ensuring excellent internal healthiness.
Lime: an ancient and versatile material
Lime is one of the most ancient building materials used by man. Derived from limestone through a process of cooking and hydration, lime is used in green building for its excellent mechanical properties and its ability to “breathe”, allowing the regulation of humidity in internal environments.
The main advantages of lime include:
– Breathability: Lime allows the natural evaporation of humidity, preventing the formation of mould and ensuring a healthy environment.
– Durability: It is extremely resistant and maintains its properties over time, improving the longevity of structures.
– Neutralization of pollutants: Lime has a natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide, contributing to the reduction of indoor pollution.
– Sustainability: The life cycle of lime is ecologically efficient, producing fewer emissions than many conventional materials.
Hemp: the gold of sustainable construction
Hemp is a plant with a long history of use in many sectors, from the textile industry to construction. In green building it is mainly used in the form of canapulo (the woody and fibrous part of the plant) mixed with lime to create the so-called “biocomposite” or “beton de chanvre” (lime-hemp).
Here are the benefits of using hemp in construction:
– High thermal insulation: Lime and hemp walls provide natural thermal insulation that significantly reduces the energy requirement for heating and cooling the house.
– Acoustic insulation: The sound-absorbing properties of hemp help improve acoustic comfort, reducing external noise.
– Breathability and humidity regulation: Like lime, hemp allows the building to “breathe”, preventing the formation of humidity and mould.
– Environmental sustainability: Hemp is a highly sustainable crop. It grows quickly, does not require pesticides and fertilizers and, during its growth, absorbs large quantities of CO2, contributing to the fight against climate change.
The Energy Benefits of Using Lime and Hemp
The combined use of lime and hemp in construction leads to a significant reduction in energy consumption.
Superior thermal insulation
Lime and hemp walls are highly performing in terms of thermal insulation. This means that in winter they retain heat inside the dwelling, while in summer they prevent the entry of external heat. As a result, the use of heating and cooling systems is reduced, with a direct impact on the energy bill.
This means that temperature fluctuations within the building are reduced, improving living comfort and further reducing the need for energy interventions.
Reduced grey energy
Grey energy is the energy needed to produce, transport and install building materials. Natural materials such as lime and hemp have significantly lower grey energy than other materials, making them a more sustainable choice in this respect.
Positive impacts on health and living comfort
As we have read in another article, in addition to reducing energy consumption, the use of lime and hemp also has a positive impact on the healthiness of indoor environments. The breathable properties of these materials allow for maintaining an optimal level of humidity inside homes, reducing the proliferation of mould and bacteria, and therefore improving air quality.
Ideal Work solutions
In the field of green building, wall coatings play a significant role in ensuring both the sustainability of buildings and living comfort.
Of course, it must be specified that in order to bring about the significant changes in the field of energy saving and thermal insulation that we have discussed above, lime and hemp must be employed in correct amounts and thickness.
Ideal Work’s selection of lime-based Terrae coatings is perfectly in line with the principles of green building. Products such as Terrae-Calce Matera, Terrae-Calce Siena and Terrae-Calce Venezia aesthetically enrich environments whilst also improving the healthiness of residences.
Of course, a 2 mm thick coating cannot change the consumption and microclimate of a home, but if it is inserted into a project organically based on the principles of green building, it will help make the context efficient.
Terrae-Calce
Ideal Work’s Terrae-Calce coatings are the result of a combination of tradition and innovation, where lime is used as the main material to create breathable and natural surfaces. These products help regulate internal humidity, preventing the formation of mould. In particular, Terrae Calce Matera and Terrae Calce Venezia are ideal for environments that require high resistance and durability, whereas Terrae Calce Siena stands out for its ability to create warm and welcoming atmospheres, while maintaining a high standard of environmental sustainability.