Bamboo is a good choice for homeowners looking for sustainable materials to use in kitchen renovation. In fact, bamboo is one of the hottest materials in home building and decorating today.

Why bamboo?

Bamboo grows so fast that it can be harvested every four years. It does not need to be replanted after harvesting. This makes it one of the most eco-friendly wood choices. Conventional wood sources like maple, oak, and walnut have from a thirty to a sixty year cycle of growth and harvest and must be replanted. This makes bamboo a 100% renewable resource, something that is very attractive to many as homeowners become more concerned about the impact of building materials on the environment.

Bamboo is harder than maple, a substance that is traditionally used for cutting boards and countertops. It is versatile enough to create many looks to go with almost any kitchen style from Victorian to contemporary. 

Did you ever wonder how they got those thin, round hollows of wood flat and wide? If you had visions of a huge steam roller flattening it out or an elephant walking over it you probably aren't alone.

The rounds are cut vertically into thin slabs. These slabs are then edge glued to make wide slabs. Veneers are cute from the glued panels and eventually laminated together to make them thick. The result is bamboo plywood.

The bamboo plywood has the benefits of plywood as far as width but none of the negative aspects. You do not have to edge band the panels when you are working with it the way you do with plywood which makes it quick and easy to work with. 

Bamboo counter tops are very sturdy and strong. The grain generally runs in a lengthwise directions although there are parquet designs available as well. Because manufacturers have learned ways of laminating bamboo without the use of formaldehyde these new counter tops are great for the environment both inside and out.

Bamboo counters have the same warmth and charm as butcher block without the environmental impact. They are laminated and finished with non-toxic and food grade materials to make them not only beautiful but completely safe.

Prices range from about $25.00 to $40.00 a square foot.

Some of the companies that carry bamboo counter top materials are:

• Green Building Supply
• Chopping Blocks 

Can you imagine a solid bamboo vessel sink? Up until a short time ago it was an impossibility...a sink made from wood! But now, with the innovations and changes in the way bamboo is laminated Totally Bamboo has come out with a beautiful, 100% bamboo sink.

It is mounted on top of the counter, and requires either a wall mount faucet or a tall faucet that reach over the rim of the sink. It would be a beautiful addition to a kitchen as a vegetable sink or an added hand washing area in a large kitchen. Of course, using it in the bathroom is a given.

It is not the only bamboo sink available, although it is the only one I have seen that is solid and round. Other companies have dovetail jointed bamboo sinks that look much like drawers that have been removed from the cabinet. Stone Forest seems to be the exception to that with a rectangular sink that is beautiful. 

Manufacturers are creating everything from floors to fabric with bamboo. If it is time for you to update your kitchen you may want to consider this beautiful, sustainable material.

For information on bamboo floors you should read Bamboo Flooring:Pros and Cons. Like everything, there are benefits in using bamboo as well as reasons not to use it. Be sure that you research as much as possible before using this product.

Updating the kitchen is one of the best investments you can make in your home. Bamboo is a great investment in the environment. You can't lose.