News & Views

Bamboo is Mother Nature's final challenge to mankind. Our accelerating
population numbers and seemingly total disregard to the fragile balance of
the Earth¹s limited resources is a disgrace shared by all too many. Bamboo
can, does and will replace hard woods. This grass reproduces and replenishes
itself in months and not decades. It is handsome, durable; inexpensive and
it nourishes the earth and cleans the air as it grows

It takes six decades to grow an oak, a cedar; a maple takes just a few less
years. We cut wantonly, burning the primordial forests of mahogany and other
species, create irreversible erosion, encourage poverty, all too selfishly
enhance our living areas. And then there is bamboo. It offers Nature at its
best: It is handsome, exquisite, durable, inexpensive and versatile.

Bamboo grows in many areas and comes in nearly 300 varieties. Amongst the
most common attributes is the speed in which it reproduces and grows and
many of its varieties are both huge CO2 sinks and soil erosion preventives.

The largest growth of bamboo is found in the People's Republic of China
where a variety known as Mao Bamboo grows in 27 months to a height of 60
feet and 10-12 inches in diameter, straight as an arrow too. The center 40'
is converted into strips of very dense, strong, bug, fungi, termite mold
resistant, non-expanding product, which when laminated together, can be used
as flooring, table tops, dimensional lumber, joists, scaffolding, roof and
siding shingles. In fact, it can be cut and turned to replace most
hardwoods. Added water based stains and other finishes can make this most
durable of products resemble oak, maple, mahogany, pine, cedar, etc. The
only question would be: "Why do it?" since the bamboo look in itself,
is so desirable and varies endlessly.

The tops and very bottoms of the stalks are also used. In fact, no part of
the plant is wasted. The forest floor¹s stained bottom two feet is ground
into a saw dust which is then compressed and is used as lumber. The leaves
are used as fodder for animals or brooms are created. The thinner top canopy
is converted into wicker, compressed saw dust and even is experimentally
being made into durable, woven cloth.

These CDs, taken from radio broadcasts originally produced by Dave Foster of
FloorRadio, discuss the huge price advantage, bambo's durability,
strength and beauty characteristics of bamboo when applied to flooring both
for home and commercial applications, as well as educational and industrial
treatments. CD #2 gives insight into sustainability of design, its features,
advantages and the future need to be aware of market forces as well as law
and pending legislation demanding close attention to the ecological and
sustainability characteristics, energy consumption and recyclability of the
structure itself as well as its contents