Bamboo has been around for a long, long time and it's uses have been wide and varied. From ancient times right through to modern day, bamboo has fascinated people with it's versatility.

From flooring to window shades; from fishing rods and clothing - bamboo amazes with it's varied and wide range of uses. A case study close to home: my neighbor decided he wanted to create some extra privacy to his home when an apartment development bordered his property. I suggested a row of bamboo along his fence line and he took my advice. Within a few short months, he had a thriving hedge of bamboo plants creating the privacy he was after. Problem solved.

Bamboo - A Way Of Life In Some Cultures

In many parts of the world bamboo provides the raw materials in people's day-to-day lives. These days, industry is also making use of bamboo, particularly in the construction area; house-frames, walls and roofs... you name it and bamboo can more than likely be adapted to it. What about music? Bamboo instruments have been making music right around the world; flutes, fiddles and drums, just to name three.

Some bamboo variety can shoot to 35 to 40 meters in height making them the largest grass species in the world. Some varieties will spring to just a half a meter but short or high, they produce woody perennial stems, a key to their much sought after use.

Bamboo Flooring

In recent years, western society has taken a shine to bamboo flooring. Providing a great finish and known for it's tough qualities, bamboo flooring has rapidly gained popularity during the past decade.

The use of bamboo flooring is catching the attention of environmentalists as an alternative to hardwoods. As a member of the grass family, its rate of growth is faster than most hardwood trees and is seen as a renewable resource. Additionally, the glues used to hold the layers of bamboo flooring together lacks many of the petroleum products used in most laminate flooring, making the materials biodegradable.

In addition to the strength and durability of bamboo flooring it is also being promoted as being more resistant to insects such as termites, which for some reason are not naturally attracted to this grassy growth.

Window Shades & Blinds

Window shades and window blinds; fishing equipment; food; decorative items such as mats and baskets and fashion. We haven't even scratched the surface.

Bamboo blinds have been around for a long, long time. You have probably seen these blinds before they became chic, bamboo matchsticks strung together horizontally, hanging on the outside of a home to shade a southern or western facing window.

Today's bamboo blinds have a modern twist. Modern technology flattens the bamboo canes and provides great uniformity in the width and shape of each individual can that is used to make up the blind. In addition, these natural window coverings are lined with light filtering fabrics and room darkening fabrics.

Bamboogalore.com will form part of your bamboo library with information and resources on this hardy plant and if you don't find the information your looking for here, then we can point you in the right direction to find the answers your looking for elsewhere.

	Natural Bamboo Step Mat, Dark Wood Sale Price: $11.41 Average Rating:
	Natural Bamboo floor mat 21" x 34"~ Dark wood. Water resistant with matching fabric border and backing.

	Cook-N-Home 15-Piece Bamboo Tool-In-A-Tub Set Sale Price: $28.99 Average Rating:
	15 piece bamboo tool in a TUB includes 13 inch medium spatula,13 inch ladle ,13 inch salad fork and 13 inch solid turner,13 inch solid salad and 13 inch slotted turner,13 inch bamboo whisk and 13 inch salad fork,13 inch slotted spoon and slotted salad,13 and pastry brush spoon,13 and bamboo meat tenderizer and bamboo crock

	Totally Bamboo 20-7920 3-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set Sale Price: $19.85 Average Rating:
	The 3-piece bamboo cutting board set includes three cutting boards. Boards measure 9 by 6 by 3/8-inch, 12 by 8-3/4 by 3/8-inch and 15 by 12 by 3/8-inch. Don't be caught again without an extra cutting board...

	25 GIANT MOSO BAMBOO SEEDS Sale Price: $3.99 Average Rating:
	The leaves are smaller than those of many other bamboos and present a pleasant contrast to the massive culms. Moso bamboo pole stalks are considered among the largest and most beautiful, growing to a diameter from 3 to 7 inches and towering to 80 feet in tropical areas...

	10 Stalks Of 6 Inch Straight Lucky Bamboo For Feng Shui Or Gifts Sale Price: $4.99 Average Rating:
	In Asia, Lucky Bamboo is one of the most popular gift items people give away for all occasions, like wedding, house warming, business opening, Christmas, new year, birthday, anniversary, etc. And it is also a great touch when you decorate your house or office since they don't need any sunlight...

	9GreenBox - Live Spiral 3 Style Lucky Bamboo Plant Arrangement with Ceramic Vase Brown Sale Price: $22.99 Average Rating:
	We're selling one of this rare treasure! , The diameter of this plant is about 6"-8" , 8"-10" and 10"-12" tall. Ceramic Vase IS 2.5" IN LENGTH & 5 " WIDE & 5" IN HEIGHT. Please see the picture for the detail look for this Lucky Bamboo...

Decorative Bamboo Charcoal for a Healthful Environment in Your Home and Office Sale Price: $26.95 Average Rating:

Our Bamboo Charcoal is created in a patented process using highly sustainable bamboo from the southern coast of Korea. Some of the extraordinary and healthful benefits include Air and Water Purification, Deodorization, Electromagnetic Shielding, Humidity Regulation, and the Release of Negative Ions and FAR Infrared Radiation, all of which can improve the overall environment in your home and office...

	Totally Bamboo 20-7930 3-Piece Cutting Board Set Sale Price: $12.99 Average Rating:
	This 3-piece bamboo cutting board set includes three cutting boards. Boards measure 6 by 8 by 3/8-inch, 8-1/2 by 11 by 3/8-inch and 9-1/2 by 13 by 3/8-inch. Don't be caught again without an extra cutting board...

	Joyce Chen 10-Inch Bamboo Steamer Set Sale Price: $19.99 Average Rating:
	Joyce Chen opened her first restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1958. She found that the selection and quality of Chinese cookware in America didn't live up to her high standards… so she developed her own...

	Joyce Chen Burnished Bamboo 5-Piece Utensil Set Sale Price: $14.03 Average Rating:
	In today's rapidly changing world, using renewable resources makes sense, even in the kitchen. Joyce Chen's burnished bamboo utensils are not only earth-friendly, but beautiful and practical. Bamboo, a grass, grows quickly to harvestable size and is considered an environmentally-sound replacement for slow-growing trees...

Japanese bamboo blinds were once made of common bamboo for traditional style Japanese rooms however, in today's modern world these rooms are no longer popular and have gradually faded in popularity. In the western world though, bamboo window blinds have surged in popularity and more and more, are starting to adorn the rooms of households.

Why Are Bamboo Blinds Popular

For the same reasons the Japanese used them, their ability to filter light, environmental qualities and their appeal in the decorative stakes.They come into their own during the summer months as they not only provide protection against strong sunlight but they have the ability to ventilate air making them a popular choice in heavy traffic rooms such as entertainment areas.

Buying Discount Bamboo Blinds

Traditonal Japanese bamboo blinds aren't as readily available as they once were. Modern society caught up with the Japanese in a big way and it's ironic a product so identifiable with their culture, is now imported into the country from overseas. Japanese manufacturers found it cheaper to produce blinds in China where most of the imports now originate but Taiwan and Thailand are also production areas.

Also known as bamboo shades, one of the appeals of this type of window covering is the rich texture and colors available. When shopping for blinds, it's quite common for companies to warn about color selection in particular as what you see advertised may differ to what you eventually receive because of the nature of bamboo. When shopping online, always ask for a variety of free samples to be sent.

Discount bamboo blinds are available for either interior or exterior use and come in vertical or horizontal design. For inside use, they look excellent on their own but many consultants are being swayed towards including them as part of a total window covering package with other other curtain coverings.

For patio or porch coverings, bamboo offers both protection and privacy. Total covering for complete privacy but the versatility to open up and filter sunlight make then an attractive alternative to traditional shades. The added benefits of durability and the ability to remove them give them extra appeal.

Discount Bamboo Blinds Pricing

It's difficult to even give an average cost of this type of window covering because of the great variance in price. They certainly are an inexpensive way to spruce up your home. By shopping online and sticking with the major players in the industry you'll find excellent discounts and specials almost on a continuous basis.

For several hundred dollars for this window bamboo fashion, you can expect a lot of bamboo blind covering. Price is adjusted according to size and length and as an example, for what is considered a grade A blind, you could expect to pay for an 8x8 foot covering somewhere between $200-$300. Again though, this is only a rough estimate.

Bamboo 54 and Gucci are two big names in fashion, designing entire lines around bamboo. Gucci recently included bamboo amongst it's line with products such as clutch bags and sandals carrying it's name. More and more fashion designers are using bamboo to manufacture shoes, handbags or jewelry.

One of the big attractions with bamboo fiber is it's comfortable nature and it's easy feel. Bamboo enthusiasts will tell you it's very easy to wear and this enthusiasm is spreading by the day among consumers. The potential for bamboo fashion is enormous. It's been described as having a similar finish and feel to silk. With that, the possibilities are endless.

What about bamboo accesories? Well, accessories are just a natural follow on to main fashion wear. Hats and bags to match dressess, skirts, t-shirts and the like along with a range of jewelry accessories and the outfit is bamboo complete. Further good news is bamboo clothing is extremely soft, breathes extra well and is machine washable. That's just perfect in western society.

With continuing concerns over our environment it was just natural manufacturers, looking to earn environmental "brownie points," would be targetting a product that promoted the qualities natural earth watchers spruiked. Bamboo was the perfect subject choice because of it's versatile nature and while our eastern neighbors have been harnessing the all round abilities of this plant since ancient times, the west has "cottoned on" and is embarking on a bamboo crusade of it's own.

Given it's versatility and resistance, bamboo has indeed become somewhat of a miracle material. Watch it's progress through the fashion ranks during the next years.