Bamboo surfaces can be sanded down and re-finished as and

By Liezl Knoll

The use of bamboo, with its warm colours and unusual grain, is increasingly popular as both a finish and structural component in buildings, as it offers a

The boards can be stained to achieve any colour of choice, while preserving the interesting look and grain of the material.

natural look derived from a sustainable and renewable resource.

Bamboo is harder and more durable than most common European hardwoods and provides the visual appeal of solid timber, without hundreds of trees being cut down in the process.

Unlike other timbers, bamboo is a giant grass, growing to full height in about two years and reaching full hardness and maturity in less than five years.

Cutting the stems does not kill the plant, and this allows for sustainable utilisation. Bamboo also combats global warming by absorbing more carbon

Bamboo offers a contemporary look that works well with other modern finishes such as glass, stainless steel and aluminium.

dioxide per hectare than many other types of forest.

Bamboo, with its positive carbon footprint, absorbs more CO₂ during growth than is emitted during the manufacture of the boards and panels.

Modern technology allows the bamboo to be made into flat, straight boards and panels of various sizes that are ideal for kitchen counter-tops, bars, cupboards, furniture and flooring, and is widely used in Europe and the USA.

The popularity of bamboo is not only driven by its eco-friendly characteristics, but mainly by the visual appeal of this material.

When oiled or varnished, the colour of the bamboo becomes rich and warm

Bamboo offers interesting and attractive colours and patterns, in addition to a straight grain, which gives a clean, contemporary look that works well with other modern finishes such as glass, stainless steel and aluminium.

Why choose bamboo?

Besides the numerous environmental benefits in choosing bamboo, there are several other advantages, including its high resistance to water damage and scorching, and the fact that it does not swell, shrink or crack.

Although water does not affect the integrity of the boards, should the bamboo get wet and not dry rapidly, it can become susceptible to mould and fungus.

To avoid this, bamboo should always be sealed when used in kitchens. There are a few options for sealing bamboo, such as spraying it with automotive-grade satin finish polyurethane and using traditional timber treatment products or environmentally friendly, natural oil-based products.

Supplied unfinished, as smooth and square-edged boards, the bamboo can then be cut, joined, machined and sealed in a similar way to solid wood.

Bamboo panels are available in a standard length of 2 440mm, and are available in three different widths: 620mm, 900mm and 1 220mm. Boards to be used as counter-tops are 30mm thick, while the thinner boards (19mm, 16mm, 6mm) are used for cupboard doors and panels.

The fact that the boards come in a 620mm width (two centimetres wider than standard 600mm counter top) is a particular advantage when installing against a wall that is not straight.

The boards can be cut to hug the profile of the wall while still having sufficient overhang at the front edge.

The 620mm width also offers the advantage of giving extra width to cover under-counter appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, which often protrude past the edge of a standard 600mm counter top.

Colour and appeal

Bamboo products are available in four basic varieties – two colours (natural and caramel) and two grain patterns (vertical and horizontal pressing).

 The natural colour is a straw blonde, similar to a light pine, while the caramel is a mid-brown caramel colour, similar to light oak. Interestingly, it is in fact real caramel that gives it the caramel colour.

Since bamboo is a grass and grass has a high natural sugar content, heating strips of it before it is made into boards causes the natural sugar to caramelise and change colour.

When oiled or varnished, the colour of the bamboo becomes rich and warm. Bamboo boards can also be stained to achieve any colour of choice, while preserving the interesting look and grain of the material.

Things to consider

Bamboo should be treated and looked after in a similar way to hardwood timber products.

If the surface has been oiled (and not varnished), a light application of the oil every few weeks or months will keep the glow in the bamboo and protect it from liquid spills. If varnished, a good furniture oil or polish every few weeks will maintain its look.

Bamboo surfaces, like timber, can also be sanded down and re-finished if years of wear and tear have taken their toll on its appearance and some manufacturers offer a lifetime structural guarantee.

A carpenter, joiner or cabinetmaker skilled in working with solid wood will have no difficulty in working with bamboo. Exactly the same tools, products and materials that would be applied to hardwood timber can be used with bamboo.

One major difference between bamboo and other timbers, is that bamboo has longer fibres. This means that using sharp tools and a slightly finer tooth pitch in cutting blades is advisable to prevent the splintering of cut ends.

There are currently no SABS or SANSA codes applicable to bamboo products, however they do comply with all applicable American and EU safety and environmental standards.

The costs of a bamboo kitchen will depend on the size and complexity of the project, as well as the manufacturer or installer. As a rough guide, bamboo counter tops are likely to cost about as much as entry-level granite tops, and less than some other hardwood timber tops.

With thanks to:

Panda Bamboo • Tel: 086-1114971

Bamboo Design • Tel: 021-783-5460 –