Bamboo Products — Earth Friend or Foe?
The ecofriendliness of this grass for flooring, wall coverings and furniture isn't cut and dried. Get the facts here
Bamboo was first found and used in China about 5,000 years ago. Technically classified as a grass, it grows faster than any other woody plant in the world. Since bamboo also needs few pesticides and fertilizers and little irrigation, it has become a popular environmentally friendly building solution. In some cases bamboo can grow up to 3 or 4 feet per day and can reach maturity in five to eight ears — compared with 30 to 50 years for most trees. In addition, The Environmental Bamboo Foundation states that bamboo reduces carbon dioxide gases; a grove can release 35 percent more oxygen into the air than a similar-sized plot of trees.
However, bamboo's environmental benefits are not entirely clear cut. While we know that the United States Green Building Council's LEED program awards points for bamboo floors, we also know that certain manufacturing processes, deforestation concerns and marketing myths are clouding the issue.
Here we take a look at some of the facts to help you make an informed decision about using this gorgeous material for your home.
However, bamboo's environmental benefits are not entirely clear cut. While we know that the United States Green Building Council's LEED program awards points for bamboo floors, we also know that certain manufacturing processes, deforestation concerns and marketing myths are clouding the issue.
Here we take a look at some of the facts to help you make an informed decision about using this gorgeous material for your home.
Bamboo is durable and resistant to insects and moisture. Timber bamboo can be grown successfully in the southern United States. The poles must be left on the plant for at least three years before they are harvested and stored vertically in the shade to dry.
The water-use efficiency of bamboo is estimated to be twice that of other trees, increasing its capability to handle harsh weather conditions such as droughts, floods and high temperatures.
Bamboo grows quickly, can be harshly cut back with quick regrowth and is an evergreen plant — making for a beautiful green wall in this garden
Bamboo grows quickly, can be harshly cut back with quick regrowth and is an evergreen plant — making for a beautiful green wall in this garden
Environmental Considerations
There is a concern that the rising popularity of bamboo flooring has led to the clearing of forests and the creation of more plantations.
Keep an eye open for bamboo certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which means it meets criteria for environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
There is a concern that the rising popularity of bamboo flooring has led to the clearing of forests and the creation of more plantations.
Keep an eye open for bamboo certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which means it meets criteria for environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Most bamboo flooring uses a urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive in the lamination process, and this can have environmental and health impacts. However, formaldehyde-free bamboo flooring is now offered by some manufacturers.
There are many bamboo textile products now on the market. However, a word of warning for the environmentally conscious: Bamboo has to undergo some chemically intensive production processes to get from raw material to the cellulose fibers that make the end fabric and it is, therefore, actually classified as a rayon.
While bamboo fabric may be better than petroleum-derived materials such as polyester, and is probably no worse than nonorganic cotton, there are undoubtedly ecofriendlier natural materials out there.
While bamboo fabric may be better than petroleum-derived materials such as polyester, and is probably no worse than nonorganic cotton, there are undoubtedly ecofriendlier natural materials out there.
Uses in the Home
Ancient Chinese tradition says that three stalks of lucky bamboo represent happiness, wealth and longevity and create good feng shui energy in the home.
Bamboo stalks also make for a lovely organic and natural display.
Ancient Chinese tradition says that three stalks of lucky bamboo represent happiness, wealth and longevity and create good feng shui energy in the home.
Bamboo stalks also make for a lovely organic and natural display.
Because of its lightweight and durable characteristics, bamboo works well as a material for blinds. Moisture resistant, it's easy to wipe down, but most important, bamboo blinds create a wonderful sunscreen while still allowing you to see out.
A sound ecofriendly tenet is reinvention, which reduces waste and discourages consumerism. This fantastic backsplash made from a bamboo blind is as beautiful as it is kind to our planet and the wallet.
The Chinese have long used bamboo pulp for paper, and bamboo wallpaper is now marketed as an ecofriendly wall covering.
However, make sure you know where your bamboo wallpaper is coming from. Stick with products that are made locally — having a product shipped from far away and from an ecologically sensitive area may reduce your bamboo wallpaper's ecofriendliness.
However, make sure you know where your bamboo wallpaper is coming from. Stick with products that are made locally — having a product shipped from far away and from an ecologically sensitive area may reduce your bamboo wallpaper's ecofriendliness.
Bamboo is a popular lightweight but strong solution for furniture too. It works well for pieces that might need to be moved around. You can find plenty of examples, like this lovely side table, at secondhand stores.
But remember, bamboo doesn't have to stay a natural color — it can be brought up-to-date with a lick of paint. Consider an environmentally friendly paint to maintain its eco credentials.
But remember, bamboo doesn't have to stay a natural color — it can be brought up-to-date with a lick of paint. Consider an environmentally friendly paint to maintain its eco credentials.
Bamboo is an incredibly strong and durable wood. In some parts of Asia, it's used for sturdy scaffolding.
Using the standardized Janka hardness test (which measures the force required to embed a .444-inch steel ball to a depth of half its diameter in wood), bamboo ranks among some of the hardest woods out there. The hardness of traditional bamboo flooring ranges from 1,180 to around 1,380 pounds of force, while products made by newer manufacturing techniques, including strand woven bamboo flooring, range from 3,000 to more than 5,000 pounds of force.
Natural bamboo color is similar to that of beech; bamboo must go through a carbonizing process (using steam under controlled pressure and heat) for darker stains. This process can reduce the floor's hardness significantly.