7 Concrete Alternatives | Family Handyman

1 / 7

Hempcrete

Hempcrete is made from the woody cores of hemp plants (aka hemp hurd), mixed with lime, sand and water. The resulting product is one-eighth the weight of concrete and resistant to mold, insects, fire and earthquakes. It can’t be used as a foundation or in load-bearing walls, but works for interior walls.

It comes in prefab panels, bricks, cinder blocks and insulation. Its insulation R-value runs between 2.4 and 4.8, compared with fiberglass batts at 2.2 to 4.3. It’s also an environmentally friendly replacement for drywall.

Hempcrete is ultimately a carbon-negative product, because the plants sequester CO2 while they’re growing, and the products sequester CO2 once they’re installed in buildings. Hempcrete production also uses much less water than concrete production. Prices vary widely depending on local availability, but are typically more expensive than standard concrete.

2 / 7

Compressed Earth Blocks

Several variations of compressed or rammed earth blocks can be found on the market.

While similar to adobe and other centuries-old processes, modern earth blocks often have fibers, bamboo or rebar in them for added strength. They’re also fire-resistant, with great insulating properties. Higher-performing earthen blocks can be used in lieu of any standard masonry products.

Environmentally, they’re a climate-conscious choice because they’re unfired, don’t have lime and are often made locally from already mined materials, like overburden (i.e. the extra soils above quarries that would otherwise be discarded). Cost ranges widely, but can be as cheap or cheaper than concrete.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7p63MoqOyoJGjsbq5wKdlnKedZLmqv9Nomqimk6eytbGMmqOtnaKjrrW11Z6qaA%3D%3D