Thursday, August 16, 2012

ALT Begins First Residential Construction in Florida Utilizing Tradical Hemcrete

American Lime Technology, one of the foremost organizations in North America dealing with hemp and lime-based durable green construction products, has started its first green home construction using Tradical Hemcrete in Florida.

This green home that is situated near the coast will provide advantages to its occupants such as comfort, health, protection against pests and fire, durability, optimal power usage as well as shelter from strong hurricane winds as high as 123 mph. This characteristic one-family residence in Florida is a good example of green construction in the region.

Hemp and lime-based binder are applied on top of a traditional wooden framework. Lime render (breathable plaster without Portland cement) external coating will be applied straight on the Hemcrete walls. The inner side of the Hemcrete wall will be coated with a thin veneer of breathable unprocessed hydraulic lime stucco that will permit the aesthetic hemp aggregate pattern to be visible. The stucco will be spruced up with a lime wash color coating.

The promoter of this archetype Florida ranch style residence is Bob Clayton,a retired mechanical engineer with an inclination to promote durable green building practices. The model is a sample of green homes intended to be promoted across the state.

The Hemcrete and other wall and ceiling products are breathable, hygroscopic and fire-resistant. The use of only lime and unprocessed minerals in the building enclosure products ascertains that insects will be repelled by the surface and no VOCs will off-gas. The building process will abide by the Florida Building Code 2007 with Florida Building Code Supplements 2009 and Florida Fire Prevention Code 2007.

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