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.

	9GreenBox - Live Spiral 3 Style Lucky Bamboo Plant Arrangement with Ceramic Vase Brown Sale Price: $13.99
	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...

	Lipper International 826 Set of 6 Bamboo Kitchen Tools, in Mesh Bag Sale Price: $5.95
	Lipper International has developed a complete line of woodenware products consisting of tableware, salad bowls, storage items, pantry ware and home organization items. These collections are continually refined and expanded...

	25 + GIANT MOSO BAMBOO SEEDS Sale Price: $2.39
	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...

	Brussel's Lucky Bamboo, Pyramid 1 Layer Sale Price: $17.00
	In China, Lucky Bamboo is thought to bring good fortune. Although it is not considered bonsai, this unique plant is very elegant and extremely easy to grow. In order to display your lucky bamboo, simply secure the canes in the decorative rock and fill the container with water...

	Totally Bamboo Round Salt Box Sale Price: $7.89
	Totally bamboo's round salt box is distinctively attractive, super strong, and totally "green". It's perfect for any and all dry "spice rack" items. Small magnet on base and lid ensures a tight seal. Durable material; box made of sturdy bamboo...

	Joyce Chen 10-Inch Bamboo Steamer Set Sale Price: $14.99
	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...

	Natural Bamboo Step Mat, Dark Wood Sale Price: $12.08
	Natural Bamboo floor mat measures 21 x 34 inches and comes in dark wood. This mat is water resistant and includes matching fabric border and backing. A great addition to any kitchen, entry way, or bathroom.

	Totally Bamboo 20-7930 3-Piece Cutting Board Set Sale Price: $12.99
	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...

	Cook-N-Home 15-Piece Bamboo Tool-In-A-Tub Set Sale Price: $29.99
	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

	100% Silky Bamboo sheet Set, Queen, Taupe Sale Price: $94.99
	Wrap your self in the softness of the luxurious 100% silky bamboo sheets like those found in homes of royalty. You won't be able to go back to cotton sheets once you try these 100% bamboo sheets. Amazingly soft similar to cashmere or silk...

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1. Bamboo Blinds – A Growing Trend In Home Decorating
2. Dress Up Your Home With Discount Bamboo Blinds!
3. Bamboo Water Fountain

	Totally Bamboo 20-2091 In-Drawer Bamboo Knife Block Sale Price: $18.18
	Simplify your life and beautify your knife drawer with Totally Bamboo's In Drawer Knife Block. It holds up to 15 knives and measures 17-inch long, 5.29-inch wide and 2-inch high. Have your knives organized, ready to use in this beautiful drawer organizer...

	Mr. Bar-B-Q, Inc. 02016X Bamboo Plate Holder Sale Price: $2.16
	Bamboo plate holder.

	Lipper International Bamboo 3-Tier Vertical Letter Holder Sale Price: $15.09
	This Lipper International Bamboo 3-Tier Vertical Letter Holder is a great way to keep all of your papers in one spot. You can use in your kitchen, garage, office or playroom. Keep pencils, pen, or bills...

	Lipper International Bamboo Deep Flatware Organizer Sale Price: $17.50
	Create a perfectly organized drawer with this bamboo flatware and cutlery drawer organizer. Constructed of ecologically responsible bamboo, this organizer is stronger and more durable than maple wood. The unique bamboo will retain its natural beauty if treated properly...

	Conair PTM1 Teak Bath Mat Sale Price: $32.77
	The Teak Shower matt provides comfortable, slip-free footing. Lightly coated with mineral oil to provide a beautiful nonslip finish, the durable, solid wood construction will last for years. It also resists fungi for a cleaner shower or bath environment.

	Lipper International Bamboo Rolltop Bread Box Sale Price: $33.39
	Lipper International has developed a complete line of woodenware products consisting of tableware, salad bowls, storage items, pantryware and home organization items. These collections are continually refined and expanded...

	4 Panel Black Bamboo Print Oriental Shoji Screen / Room Divider Sale Price: $47.10
	Beautiful black wood framed room divider/screen with bamboo design. Like a piece of art, this delicate floral design screen will be a great accent to your home decor. Gain additional privacy by dividing up a room or use as a decorative accent piece to create mood and atmosphere...

	Axis Expandable Kitchen Drawer Divider, Set of 2 Sale Price: $19.89
	Set of 2 expandable all wooden kitchen drawer spring-loaded dividers. Easy to keep organized and tidy.

	Table in a Bag W2716 Portable Table with Carrying Bag, Brown Sale Price: $34.91
	We are the maker of the perfect portable table that goes anywhere. This is a portable table for any indoor or outdoor activity. The collapsible table rolls up in seconds and fits into an easy carry bag...

	Whitmor 6054-268 Supreme Bakers Rack, Chrome and Wood Sale Price: $79.99
	Give yourself a little more storage space in the kitchen and gain a handy food prep area along with it with this Baker's Rack with Cutting Board by Whitmor. Made of durable chrome-plated steel, this easy to clean kitchen rack features 2 full sized shelves with a small spice shelf on top and the 4 accessory hooks keep every day kitchen tools close at hand yet out of the way...

Building with bamboo plywood?

I working on a design project and want to use bamboo plywood as my building material. The concept is temporary emergency relief housing... but with a 'green' design.

Most bamboo is grown on farm fields created by slash and burn of native forests in Southeast Asia. The short crop rotation leads many to believe it is a greener material than wood, but further investigation shows it is anything but. Bamboo is grown with little or no environmental regulations, unlike commercial woods in the United States and Canada which end up in plywood and OSB. Furthermore, bamboo is very prone to splitting and will be difficult to work with as a sheathing material. I would offer the opinion that a temporary structure is not green unless it will be reused or disassembled into components for reuse. Here is a good link for more info: http://www.dovetailinc.org/DovetailBamboo.html

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1. Bamboo Plywood – The Truth About Bamboo Plywood
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3. Interiors Bamboo Style

In the United States, bamboo has roared up the building material charts during the past decade with consumers recognizing it's durability and cost saving benefits. Hardwood flooring in particular has been an area where homeowners have turned to bamboo.

Bamboo flooring is harder than most traditional hardwood floors and on average, about $20 cheaper per square meter. That's enough incentive for consumers to give it serious consideration and when you take into account  it's environmental factors such as it's renewable abilities, bamboo just about becomes a "no-brainer" in terms of first choice building material.

How To Choose Bamboo Plywood

Let's take a look at some of the factors which can influence your decision to purchase bamboo plywood. When looking at it, ask questions such as:

- Is it totally 100% bamboo? In other words, is it all bamboo material or does it contain other materials. Make sure it's 100% bamboo.

- How compatible is the plywood with industrial finishes? You don't want to be installing bamboo plywood if it reacts to industrial finishes.

- Make sure it meets all the regulations such as fire treatment. THis is very important. These are just some of the areas you need to be clear on and the reality is, this applies to just about any building material.

The reason for the due diligence is to protect yourself against any problems or disputes which may come up later. Make sure you get this information down in writing before purchasing.

Do-It-Yourself

Re-modeling a home can be a daunting task for most but if you have the ability to do it yourself then you can save yourself a lot of money.

Bamboo plywood is easy to work with and can be molded using conventional equipment for woodworking. Materials used for fastening on traditional wood materials will present no problems to bamboo. It's particularly partial to staining finishes so don't get too hung up about this.

Before you start remodeling your home, you need to plan your construction well. Check out some architecture magazines and learn about the latest home designs especially those that are using bamboo plywood.

Take your time to study the different designs before you come up with something of your own. The use of bamboo plywood can only enhance your home.

Related posts:

1. Bamboo Flooring – Is It For You?
2. Bamboo Flooring Benefits
3. Build Bamboo