Thinking about building or renovating with Hempcrete or wanting to know more about hempcrete in home building?

Joe D’Alo, owner and builder from The Hemp Building Co. is based in Kyneton, Victoria. He believes that Hempcrete is key to creating sustainable, comfortable and high performing homes.

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Joe D’Alo.

This is Episode 242, and in it, I continue my conversation with Joe D’Alo, builder and owner of The Hemp Building Co.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of this interview, please head back to Episode 241, where you’ll hear Joe explain to us exactly what hemp and hempcrete are, the numerous benefits of it as a building material, and things you specifically need to know if you’re planning to build with it. 

In this episode, Joe continues sharing more detail about building with hempcrete. We talk about what to do if you want to clad it vs using a lime render, and other aesthetic choices depending on how you want it to look. 

We also discuss cost, using it in bushfire prone areas, and if you’re curious about hemp insulation, we also discuss that in this episode.

Before we kick off Part 2 of my conversation with Joe, let me remind you about him and The Hemp Building Co.

Joe came across hemp and lime building in about 2000 while reading an article about the use of this wonderful bio-composite in the restoration of a historic wattle and daub building by a female Heritage Consultant in France. 

The article also mentioned the equally successful use of the material on several new housing projects. This was indeed the light bulb moment for Joe and having a deep understanding of the behaviour and benefits of  using natural plant based materials in building homes it seemed that Hempcrete ticked all the boxes and no other contenders came close. 

Joe believes that “If we are serious about creating buildings that are truly sustainable, there is no other renewable source that comes close to providing the benefits of the Industrial hemp plant.” 

Changing careers, retraining as a builder in 2006, Joe focussed on using more natural building materials and methods, including building his own home in 2011 from hempcrete. 

He talked in our last episode about the lessons he learned from it, and how it attracted many others who were also interested in using this fantastic material, and exploring what it could offer in sustainability credentials, thermal comfort and a healthy home.

Since then, he’s helped and supported countless homeowners and industry professionals through his company, The Hemp Building Co., based in Kyneton, Victoria, and has a significant reputation for his expertise and experience as an industry leader in hempcrete.

We kick off Part 2 with some detailed discussion about working with hempcrete, and what your options are for finishing it and cladding it to create a particular look or feel for your home.

In this episode, I ask Joe questions such as:

• What are the options with finishing Hempcrete (such as cladding or rendering) and what do you need to consider?
• How does the cost compare to conventional construction?
• What is Hempcrete’s suitability for areas that are bushfire prone, and BAL rated blocks?
• And is hemp a viable option for insulating a home?

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

RESOURCES:

The Hemp Building Co.
Website >>> https://www.thehempbuildingcompany.com.au/
Instagram >>> https://www.instagram.com/hempbuildingco/
Post showing impact of blow torch on wood vs hempcrete >>> https://www.instagram.com/p/CSai9L4ByNw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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