Bamboo Timber
The increasing use of bamboo timber instead of traditional hardwoods in all sorts of applications offers hope to consumers that are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of deforestation. Demand for bamboo timber products has driven innovations in the manufacturing and development of bamboo timber in China, Australia, and other countries across the planet.
Why is Bamboo Timber use Increasing?
There are many reasons why consumers and manufacturers of all kinds are turning to bamboo timber products. Bamboo timber is:
- Renewable The species of bamboo that are suitable for timber grow very rapidly (up to a yard or more each day) and are harvestable in one to three years as opposed to hardwoods that take at least 40 years to mature. Once harvested, bamboo begins growing again without the need for additional cultivation.
- Strong Bamboo fibers have a tensile strength that surpasses many types of steel and bamboo timber is highly resistant to warping and cupping from changes in ambient humidity.
- Versatile Virtually any product that can be made from hardwood can be made from bamboo timber. From scaffolding to
to and everything in between, bamboo timber is emerging as a viable alternative to hardwoods in every application. - Environmentally responsible During harvesting and processing, every part of the bamboo plant can be used with a much lower consumption of energy than hardwoods. Bamboo requires little fertilizer or pesticides to produce on a wide scale and absorbs carbon dioxide at a faster rate than most tree species.
Will bamboo timber prove to be the answer to unsustainable hardwood harvesting and deforestation? The answer to that question remains to be seen. But the market and demand for bamboo timber products is growing daily and innovative uses continue to be developed.