Hi Richard

Sure they might not care. If it is being sold as a "green product
"perhaps the "depth of green" is being misrepresented? A bamboo
product grown in plantation monoculture as an exotic species may not
be as acceptable as a native species being grown in a reforestation
effort. Then factor in the carbon credits and conservation value...

Gib Cooper
Executive Director BOTA
http://bamboooftheamericas.org



On Nov 23, 2008, at 10:26 PM, Richard Joynes wrote:

> Gib,
>
> I hate to say it but while someone buying bamboo flooring or bamboo
> plywood might be curious to learn it is a grass he almost certainly
> is not interested in what species it is. He wants to know the product
> will do the job and satisfy his needs as a customer. As with any new
> product, the seller should be able to answer any questions the
> customer has or he will go elsewhere.
>
> Richard
>
> At 08:59 AM 11/21/2008, you wrote:
>
> >Hi Doug and Richard
> >
> >A 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
> ><mailto:gib%40bamboodirect.com>gib@...
> >
> >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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>



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