Wood is a material that can be found in every area of a home from frame work to flooring to cabinetry but with growing concerns over deforestation the rapidly renewable resource of bamboo is making quite a name for itself in this arena. Bamboo is durable, sustainable and quickly replenished, not to mention gorgeous when properly treated. It is the fastest renewing woody plant (but actually part of the grass family) in the world and this is making many builders sit up and take notice.

Pine trees suitable for building with, especially as related to framing lumber, can take upwards of fifty years to fully mature whereas bamboo suitable for this exact same construction type is fully mature in only five years.  Statistically this means that in the time it would take to grow a pine tree, ten times the volume of bamboo could be produced, harvested and prepared for construction companies and builders.  

Kitchen cabinets, flooring or furniture should in fact be durable so it will stand the test of time and bamboo is happy to oblige.  If treated correctly bamboo pulp will harden to a level similar to that of maple wood and the natural coloring will be light with relatively subtle graining.  Deeper paint colors, fabrics or stone act as a lovely compliment to the golden bamboo but some people prefer a deeper, richer coloring in their woods and although it can not be stained as with traditional wood there is a process to bring a richer color to bamboo.

Through the process of carbonization, bamboo is given a rich, warm, golden brown hue.  Carbonized bamboo is weaker than traditional lighter hued pulp as the material is boiled during the manufacturing process in order to heat the pulp sugars to provide the differing colors.  In order to ensure strength for durability carbonized material should be properly finished with a sturdy topcoat.  For further durability cut edges should be sealed to avoid potential moisture accumulation.

In addition to its rapid renewal and durability, bamboo has the advantage of using a smaller footprint. Less space is required to house a bamboo farm than a fully matured pine farm as a stalk is likely to be no more than three inch radius. Clusters of bamboo stalks can be placed closer together than trees -- the branches would be detrimental to the growth of proximate trees.

This material is known worldwide for its health and Earth benefits as well. The root structure of bamboo assists with soil erosion prevention so it is ideal in almost any type of soil environment. The health benefits of bamboo are also amazing. The stalks release oxygen, acting as a filter for cleaner air through pollution and toxin reduction. The fiber is inherently antifungal as well as and since it is a processed pulp from grass, it has some anti-termite properties when treated properly. Some houses built entirely from bamboo are even earthquake resistant.

It is easy to see why bamboo is quickly gaining a strong foothold as an alternative to wood in the building trades. With ten times faster growth potential, long term sustainability, health and Earth related benefits and the durability of a standard hardwood, bamboo could quite easily take the place of timber as the favored construction material of builders worldwide.