Bamboo Fencer
05-10-2012, 10:40 AM
Sustainability
What sustainability comes down to is the use of natural resources that replenish themselves quickly; resources that are sustainable, renewable, and that don't require generations to grow or form again. And that's the beauty of bamboo. It grows fast. Some species can grow 50 inches in a day.
The bamboo that goes into our fences is cut from groves about every three years, and after it's cut away, the plant is still alive, the root system is still intact, and it keeps on growing until the next harvest. When it's done right, harvesting is actually healthy for the plant.
A Cedar (probably the first material that comes to mind when you think about fences) takes upwards of forty years to grow to a size where it can be harvested, and when it's harvested, that's it. The tree is dead, the roots are dead, and it's another forty years until a new one grows. We've all heard about the ecological dangers of deforestation. It throws entire ecosystems off balance, reduces the earth's oxygen production, and gives rise to soil erosion and runoff. And these dangers are only the headings of their own lists of environmental consequences, as each come with with, well, more bad news.
There is no deforestation with bamboo. Unlike traditional lumber, the demand for bamboo is less than its growth rate, so using bamboo as a primary building material helps keep our forests where and as they are.
Strength & Splitting
Bamboo isn't wood. It's actually a grass that's just as strong as wood, if not stronger. In terms of tensile strength, it's actually even stronger than steel. It's lightweight, it's beautiful, and it comes in many varieties. Bamboo fibers contain silica, the substance associated with the glassy sturdiness of sand, which helps bamboo poles resist rot and termites.
Nearly all bamboo, especially poles of larger diameters (1” or greater), will split over time, but splitting doesn't mean the bamboo is weakening. Bamboo's hard and dense skin keep the poles strong and sturdy despite this splitting. When working with a raw organic building material like bamboo one has to accept (or embrace) these natural qualities. Splitting is simply the nature of the material. We assure you that it will not compromise the strength or lifespan of your fence. Many customers appreciate the natural appearance splitting brings. If you wish to minimize splitting, we recommend poles and products with poles that are 3/4” or less in diameter. Our wall covering will, of course, not split.
Our Fences
We specialize in bamboo fences and take care to offer the greatest variety of styles and sizes with the hope that our products will simplify your landscaping or design project with easy-to-install prefabricated products. Whether you're doing a large, custom installation, or just wiring a few lengths of our Bamboo Friendly Fence (http://www.bamboofencer.com/bamboo-friendly-fences) to an old chain-link one, we probably have a fence in the style, height, and diameter you're looking for. Don't hesitate to contact us with your questions.
What sustainability comes down to is the use of natural resources that replenish themselves quickly; resources that are sustainable, renewable, and that don't require generations to grow or form again. And that's the beauty of bamboo. It grows fast. Some species can grow 50 inches in a day.
The bamboo that goes into our fences is cut from groves about every three years, and after it's cut away, the plant is still alive, the root system is still intact, and it keeps on growing until the next harvest. When it's done right, harvesting is actually healthy for the plant.
A Cedar (probably the first material that comes to mind when you think about fences) takes upwards of forty years to grow to a size where it can be harvested, and when it's harvested, that's it. The tree is dead, the roots are dead, and it's another forty years until a new one grows. We've all heard about the ecological dangers of deforestation. It throws entire ecosystems off balance, reduces the earth's oxygen production, and gives rise to soil erosion and runoff. And these dangers are only the headings of their own lists of environmental consequences, as each come with with, well, more bad news.
There is no deforestation with bamboo. Unlike traditional lumber, the demand for bamboo is less than its growth rate, so using bamboo as a primary building material helps keep our forests where and as they are.
Strength & Splitting
Bamboo isn't wood. It's actually a grass that's just as strong as wood, if not stronger. In terms of tensile strength, it's actually even stronger than steel. It's lightweight, it's beautiful, and it comes in many varieties. Bamboo fibers contain silica, the substance associated with the glassy sturdiness of sand, which helps bamboo poles resist rot and termites.
Nearly all bamboo, especially poles of larger diameters (1” or greater), will split over time, but splitting doesn't mean the bamboo is weakening. Bamboo's hard and dense skin keep the poles strong and sturdy despite this splitting. When working with a raw organic building material like bamboo one has to accept (or embrace) these natural qualities. Splitting is simply the nature of the material. We assure you that it will not compromise the strength or lifespan of your fence. Many customers appreciate the natural appearance splitting brings. If you wish to minimize splitting, we recommend poles and products with poles that are 3/4” or less in diameter. Our wall covering will, of course, not split.
Our Fences
We specialize in bamboo fences and take care to offer the greatest variety of styles and sizes with the hope that our products will simplify your landscaping or design project with easy-to-install prefabricated products. Whether you're doing a large, custom installation, or just wiring a few lengths of our Bamboo Friendly Fence (http://www.bamboofencer.com/bamboo-friendly-fences) to an old chain-link one, we probably have a fence in the style, height, and diameter you're looking for. Don't hesitate to contact us with your questions.