Hempwood - A Sustainable Alternative to Wood
Deforestation has become a global problem as it contributes to the environmental stress being witnessed and global warming. This has created an urgency for fast-growing and environment-friendly raw materials. That is why non-woody plants like bamboo and hemp have gained considerable interest because it reduces the pressure on forest wood resources.
Why Hempwood?
Hempwood is an eco-friendly and fast-growing alternative to traditional wood. Its higher density and fast growth speed make it an excellent building material. This versatile and affordable wood substitute is less expensive than oak timber. It is also a renewable resource with many applications in the building industry, including flooring, cutting boards, and furniture. Hempwood is a natural product, and it is derived from a plant that has an unlimited number of uses.
Hempwood can be used to make all types of indoor building materials, from flooring to countertops and accent walls. It is 20 percent harder, making it a great choice for construction and furnishings. The growing demand for sustainable and organic materials in the building industry means that Hempwood is poised to sit alongside the major players in the wood industry. The potential is immense.
Hemp also produces cleaner air because it absorbs carbon and releases oxygen. Furthermore, hemp is a renewable wood alternative that is easy to grow and uses every part of the plant. Moreover, there's zero waste with hemp, which can also be used for other commercial purposes.
In addition, hemp is an environmentally friendly material that doesn't disrupt forest ecosystems. It can also be used to replace wood, including flooring, cutting boards, and skateboards.
The new plant-based wood substitute is a patented product and is the most durable and sustainable of all alternative lumbers. Because it grows rapidly, Hempwood is one of the few materials with the smallest ecological footprint of any alternative lumber.
Why is Hempwood an Alternative to Woody Plants
It has a short planting cycle.
Hemp wood is grown much faster than trees. It takes about four months to harvest hemp, which is much shorter than the growing cycle of trees. Hardwood trees can take decades and up to 80 years to mature. This makes hemp wood a lot more flexible regarding availability and price.
It captures CO2
Carbon emissions have become a problem for global warming. Deforestation has contributed to the problem of carbon accumulation in the atmosphere.
The production of wood causes the emission of carbon dioxide into the environment. However, hemp wood cultivation emits less than 5% of the emissions of trees. The emissions of hemp wood are comparable to the emissions of bamboo, considered a more sustainable raw material.
Additionally, the plant has been reported to absorb four times more carbon than the trees (one hectare of hemp absorbs 22 tons of CO2). Building with hempwood also helps with purifying the atmosphere because it has carbon sequestering properties.
Unlike wood, hemp can grow in different climates and be transported much more easily.
It is more durable.
Hempwood is a hardwood that is more resistant to scratches than most other types of wood. Its high density and hardness make it a good choice for flooring, furniture, and other interior building projects.
Another benefit of hemp wood flooring is it's adhesive. This kind of wood doesn't have volatile organic compounds or dangerous chemicals in other types of flooring.
It is harder
Hempwood is an extremely durable hardwood and is a viable, sustainable alternative to wood. Hempwood is a 100-times faster-growing, 20% harder alternative to oak wood. The strength of hempwood is comparable to that of white oak, and it is widely used in furniture, construction materials, and flooring applications. Hemp has a high degree of versatility, but regulations have hindered its development.
Hemp is termite and heat resistant.
Termites can attack any of the building materials like lumber is treated. Hempwood is resistant to termites and other pests too. This means that you need pesticides unless when necessary. The absence of pesticides and herbicides in hemp production also means that it does not contribute to releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.
Furthermore, Hempwood has good insulating properties and is heat-resistant, meaning it does not get too hot or cold.
Hemp is recyclable and inexpensive.
Hemp wood is easier to dispose of than standard wood since it contains no toxic substances. Not only that, every part of the hemp plant can be used to create other forms of byproducts, from biofuel to textile.
Hempwood is much less expensive than wood and can be used in building projects while reducing your carbon footprint. And because Hempwood is renewable, it can be used to create beautiful furniture, interior décor, and even a sustainable alternative to wood.
It is eco-friendly
Tree farming requires a lot of water to grow. With the use of herbicides and pesticides, this process becomes even more water-intensive. One hectare of hemp requires less than 30 liters of water to grow.
Furthermore, hemp is also used to make paper. Paper is sustainable in different formats, but getting the raw material has put a strain on the forest and contributed to deforestation. Hempwood can also be used to make paper and eliminate the need for woody plants.
It takes up less land space.
A single tree has an average volume of 10,000 cubic feet to 1,000,000 cubic feet. A single plant of hemp has a volume of about 460 cubic feet.
Hemp plants grow in a wide range of soil types., The hemp plant can easily grow in urban areas. It's also hardy and can be used for landscaping purposes.
Final Thoughts
The hemp fibers can be used in various building products, including furniture, flooring, and composite materials.
Hempwood is a natural wood alternative that can be harvested quickly. It is a unique type of composite that gives you all the benefits of wood with some bonuses.
Despite its durability, strength, and sustainability, hemp (an alternative to wood) has yet to achieve widespread use.
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