Can you use hemp insulation with metal framing?
Hello, I have a craftsmen home build in 1929. The foundation is stone. When I bought the house 8 years ago it had some moisture in the walls and small streams of water and puddling when the h20 table was very high. Two years ago I had a water management system and two sub pumps installed (crushed stone, interior pipe in floor with holes for water and membrane that holds white poly where the floor meets the wall). We opted for the poly against the concrete knowing our intent was to finish in the future. Two years later we have had no issues. We are now at the next phase. I originally wanted to use metal framing with mineral wool but there is a two fold issue 1. No formaldehyde free version bc of a extreme breathing issues in my household 2. Not good guidance on how to use Hemp as a substitute. Could you please tell me what we should do next. Would metal frame with hemp be an option? If so, what factors would I have to account for? I appreciate your help. We have saved and planned and do not want to make a poor decision. Thank you!
Hemp sounds like a great insulation option for the reasons you mention - protecting indoor air quality as well as managing moisture. Hemp insulation has the ability to absorb and release a certaint amount of moisture without causing any damage. Read more here -
All about hemp insulation and where to buy it
But I'm still a bit unsure about something you mention above. It's a stone foundation but also poured concrete? Not super important, but I'll assume at least that this is a basement application, so its great that you put poly against the concrete, that's where it should be. My only issue with what you suggest is the metal framing. Metal works, but it is a conductor, so you will lose a lot more heat through the studs than if you were to use wood. read more here on this page about thermal bridging and thermal breaks for energy efficiency.