Bamboo (also called bamboo), scientifically known as bambusoideae, is a perennial angiosperm plant of the herbaceous family Poaceae. Classified as a tropical plant, bamboo has a tall cane-shaped stem with elongated light green leaves, and its different species grow on all continents except Europe and Antarctica. Bamboo, although many plants of different species have stems that measure approximately 1 meter, can reach up to 30 meters high, being called: bamboo or giant bamboo.

Thanks to its diverse qualities, bamboo was used in many cultures for areas such as food and medicine, however its high resistance made it a highly required material for the area of construction and design, and in 2023 it has become a trend. In this article we will tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of the ecological material of the moment: bamboo.

Advantages of bamboo in the world of interior design

Although it may seem hard to believe, bamboo performs in some respects better than wood, concrete and even steel (the materials of choice for construction). Its high resistance and environmental benefits have positioned bamboo as an economically viable material that competes head to head with the aforementioned materials. However, its advantages are not limited to the aforementioned.

Sustainability

Bamboo’s rapid growth (5 years) and its capacity for biodegradation position it as one of the most sustainable building materials. At the same time, bamboo has a high capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, which makes it an ally in mitigating the effects of global warming.

Low cost

Bamboo not only needs little energy for its production, but also thanks to its easy planting, fast growth and long life span (15-30 years) it becomes an inexpensive and cost-effective material. At the same time, thanks to its light weight, bamboo is easy to move, so transportation costs are not high either. Moreover, it has been proven that bamboo can reduce the cost of a house by 50% to 60%.

Resistance

Bamboo has a tensile strength similar to steel and a compressive strength comparable to concrete, which makes it an anti-seismic material. However, it is added to its high flexibility and hardness that makes bamboo an ideal material for all types of furniture and interior cladding.

Disadvantages of bamboo in the world of interior design

All materials have advantages and disadvantages, however, what makes them more or less suitable is that their advantages do not represent a danger for their use and that their benefits are greater. Bamboo has highly beneficial advantages for its use in the world of interior design, however, it has some disadvantages that must be taken into account when using it for the construction or manufacture of furniture.

Non-standard sizes

Being a natural and organic material, the products made of bamboo plants stalks can’t have a standard measurement like conventional bricks (since it depends a lot on the species), which can be a complication in the work and should be foreseen because the measurement of these elements will not be a constant.

Pests

Like any type of wood, bamboo is also subject to pests such as insects and fungi, so bamboo plants need to be well prepared before working with it to prevent its vulnerability to pests and extend its life.

Humidity

Bamboo is highly vulnerable to moisture and in permanent contact with soil moisture (or in contact with the outdoors and rainfall) it can rot and tends to increase pest attack. For this reason, it must be protected and properly cured to prevent it.

Bamboo has proven to have exceptional qualities and has positioned itself as an new ecological alternative to the materials currently used in architecture and interior or products design. From Ekohunters, we support all new sustainable alternatives that pursue change and contribute their grain of sand for a more just and dignified future for our planet and all forms of life that inhabit it.