Bamboo

Bamboo

It’s called vegetable steel or steel grass and it surpasses woods like oak in hardness, which is why we’re talking about one of the materials with the most potential for the future.

Bamboo has been used as a building material since ancient times due to its unique characteristics, which is why many architects are incorporating it into innovative constructions. Examples include the Bamboo House at the Shanghai Expo and the roof of the new Terminal 4 in Madrid, the world’s largest project to incorporate this sustainably produced material.
In recent years it has begun to be applied within interior design , through decking, wall coverings or furniture.

Bamboo can range in size from 1 meter long and half a centimeter in diameter to 25 meters long and 30 centimeters in diameter. These plants grow on virtually every continent except Europe. It is a highly renewable material , as some species can reach 20 meters in length and 0.20 meters in diameter in less than 9 weeks. This is one of its most important characteristics in terms of sustainability, compared to other woods like oak, which takes 50 years to reach the same height. Another important quality is that bamboo produces 30% more oxygen than trees and requires minimal water.

It is a low-cost material, but it requires specialized labor for its processing, installation, and application. It is highly flexible and lightweight, yet possesses great strength, which makes it so versatile. Throughout history, bamboo has had a wide range of applications, from medicine and the manufacture of textiles and paper, to many others.
It is currently used as an ecological and sustainable material in building construction . It is used as a structural element due to the qualities of its fibers, and is applied in the manufacture of beams and joists.

We will find it as a flooring material because its composition of strips is very insensitive to humidity and temperature changes, making it perfect for use with underfloor heating and in humid areas.

We can find varnished or oiled finishes. These protect it from potential damage and guarantee its hardness and resistance. As for maintenance, it will only need occasional oiling. We can also find outdoor decking , an eco-friendly and durable alternative.

And increasingly, bamboo is being used not only in home interiors but also in a multitude of everyday applications. Many companies are leveraging the qualities of this material to create innovative and high-quality designs .