Hemp: A Natural Insulation Worth Discovering – Our Choice for a Greener Home

As we progressed through the planning phase of our eco-friendly home, we took a step back to reflect on the materials we wanted to use — not only for their performance, but also for their long-term impact on our health, comfort, and the environment. Staying true to our values, we opted for natural and durable materials. Among them, one choice quickly stood out: hemp.

We discovered this material thanks to Plans É-Pur and their educational video series, which explain key principles of sustainable building. That’s when hemp revealed itself as a product that seemed almost too good to be true: natural, breathable, moisture-regulating, energy-efficient, durable, fire-resistant, and naturally repels rodents and insects — all while having a much lower carbon footprint than conventional synthetic insulation.

While searching for a local supplier, we quickly realized that hemp is still relatively unknown in our region. At the Moncton Home Show, several vendors told us, “There’s no demand.” Pricing often appears to be the main barrier, hemp is more expensive than traditional options, but there’s a reason for that. As explained by Maxime Feuiltault, owner of Quebec-based NovEnviro, the lack of industrial machinery has long limited production. That is now changing: recent investments, combined with the design of new industrial equipment, will soon allow hemp to be produced in greater quantities, at better quality, and more affordable prices.

Hemp insulation board. Photo via NovEnviro (Instagram)

We were referred to NovEnviro through Plans É-Pur, but we know this sector is growing and that several other Quebec-based suppliers also specialize in bio-based construction materials like hemp. It’s an emerging market, driven by a growing desire to build differently and sustainably.

At NovEnviro, hemp is transformed into two flagship products:

• Hemp hurd, mixed with lime to create a type of natural insulating concrete known as hempcrete;

• Hemp fibres, compressed into rigid or semi-rigid insulation panels.

  
  

This combination results in a natural and breathable insulation material that maintains optimal thermal balance while significantly reducing the building’s environmental impact.

Advice received so far from NovEnviro (to be finalized):

Wall insulation

They recommend 7.5 inches of hemp insulation combined with 60 mm wood fibre panels for optimal thermal comfort. Below is a detailed wall section image showing this setup:

Image showing a wall section design according to NovEnviro.

Thermal lag: the hidden hero

We often hear about R-value, which measures a material’s thermal resistance. In Canada, the National Building Code now requires a minimum of R‑24 for exterior walls in new homes. For our project, we aimed for R‑36 to R‑40 to achieve a much higher level of energy efficiency.

But beyond R-value lies another crucial (and often overlooked) factor: thermal lag — the amount of time it takes for heat to travel through a material. The longer the delay, the more comfortable your indoor climate remains.

• Hemp insulation: 10–12 hours

• Fibreglass insulation: only 2–3 hours

  
  

In practical terms, this means heat takes much longer to penetrate your home, helping it stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Combined with a strong R-value, hemp becomes an outstanding choice for reducing heating and cooling needs.

Roof insulation

Hemp and wood fibre are also highly recommended for insulating the roof — both natural, high-performing, and durable options.

Recommended membranes

Smart membranes play a key role in ensuring both airtightness and breathability. They allow indoor moisture to escape while blocking exterior humidity — helping prevent condensation within walls and maintaining excellent energy performance.

Depending on the application, NovEnviro recommends:

• Clima 80 and Clima 105 — serve as vapour or weather barriers depending on the wall system;

• Transpir 110 — a highly vapour-permeable weather-resistant membrane, ideal for natural fibre wall assemblies.

  
  

Bonus

Ordering directly through NovEnviro qualifies for a 5% discount — a nice incentive to support a greener project.

Transport

Since the company is based in Quebec, shipping costs to New Brunswick should be expected, but we believe this investment is well worth it.

Choosing natural materials means building with tomorrow in mind. Hemp convinced us not only with its performance and ecological benefits, but with what it represents — a return to healthier, more local, and more sustainable construction practices. We’re proud to be working with NovEnviro and hope that sharing our story inspires others to explore this still little-known material.