Hi Doug and RichardA generality that needs clearing up about bamboo is that it is a
group of grass species. Several species in 3 genera, for example,
Guadua angustifolia, Phyllostachys edulis and Bambusa stenostachya
are particularly well known for construction. Now compare this with
conifers and several generic groups like pine, fir and spruce; each
with best characteristics for a particular building component. The
choice of species matters.
When it comes to independent tests and the peculiar nature of the
bamboo culm, ie. degree of hollowness, like to split, preservation
technique, exposure, etc. there are many differences when compared to
wood and the development in the west of "standard products". Through
the efforts of researchers in many areas of the world we have come a
long way in 25 years. It was only 10 years ago when bamboo flooring
started to show up in home improvement stores. I remember seeing some
of the first pieces when Dan Smith brought some by in 1994.
Bamboo is wonderfully complex and will be with us a long time. There
is always more to learn!
Best regards,
Gib Cooper
gib@bamboodirect.com
On Nov 20, 2008, at 7:00 PM, Richard Joynes wrote:
> Thanks Doug,
>
> Your reply underscores the need for these independent tests as we are
> all forced to use phrases like "seems to me" and "I've read that...".
>
> What I cannot understand is why, if bamboo is such a terrific
> material, these tests have not been published to prove it. Is it
> possible the tests might prove bamboo isn't quite so wonderful after
> all? Surely not!
>
> Richard
>
> At 10:36 AM 11/20/2008, you wrote:
>
> >Richard,
> >
> >Thanks for bringing up the consumer side of the equation. Not many
> >people buy "green" products simply because they're "green," and never
> >mind the cost.
> >
> >It seems to me that bamboo is harder and more rigid than the soft
> pine,
> >fir, and spruce that is normally used. If bamboo plywood is more
> rigid,
> >it might deflect less and would therefore be a better material for
> >subfloors, especially those that will be tiled. I've read that bamboo
> >has a very low moisture absorbency rate, which might also make it
> >appealing for marine use, as well as for exterior use or use in
> >bathrooms and other damp areas. This, and other aspects, needs to be
> >proven by independent laboratories.
> >
> >The hardness of bamboo might make it a bit more difficult to
> install, as
> >it may split when screws are driven through it. If pilot holes are
> >required, that adds to the cost of installation. The type of adhesive
> >will be critical, because it seems that glue is less able to
> penetrate
> >the fibers. I tested a piece of bamboo plank by leaving it lay
> outside
> >in the sun and rain. It didn't last long, less than three months. The
> >glue let loose and all the slats curled up in a pile.
> >
> >Then there is the question of how bamboo will assemble. Soft-wood
> >plywood is made from sheets continuously peeled off "peeler logs,"
> >producing broad sheets of material. Depending upon the quality of the
> >peeler logs, these sheets may have voids caused by knot holes, and
> poor
> >grades of plywood may have numerous voids that weaken it
> considerably.
> >Bamboo will not produce the same sort of broad sheets of material,
> and
> >will require much more handling and fitting together of pieces. The
> >potential for unwanted voids in bamboo plywood, it seems to me, is
> much
> >greater than for soft-wood plywood, unless all pieces are properly
> >milled so they fit together seamlessly.
> >
> >Something else of interest is whether bamboo lends itself to the
> >construction of other ply materials, such as in bows, bent wood
> >furniture, kayaks, canoes, aircraft spars, ceiling beams, etc.
> >Naturally, each application will need to be tested and compared to
> >existing materials and methods.
> >
> >There are many more concerns to address when comparing products,
> and I
> >hope the research is designed not only to measure bamboo plywood's
> >characteristics but also to find ways of improving those
> characteristics.
> >
> >Doug Harrison
> >Minnesota
>
>
>
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