Cabinets come in many different materials and colors. One option that is gaining popularity is bamboo bathroom cabinets. They offer many advantages over other types of cabinet materials, making them a preferred choice for kitchen and bathroom upgrades.
Bamboo offers individuality and a unique aesthetic to homes. They are different from other cabinets, both visually and beneficially. Bamboo is a strong, hard material that is highly sustainable and a natural resource.
The material is also a better alternative to standard mass-produced cabinets. Mass-produced products are typically comprised primarily of particleboard and medium-density fiberboard. However, bamboo cabinets are mostly made up of solid bamboo or bamboo plywood, which is a stronger material than other standard woods.
Bamboo also has many different colors and grains and can even be stained to look like natural wood. Some people steer clear of bamboo because they’re worried it’ll look like cheesy old-school furniture. But bamboo cabinets are beautiful and natural in appearance.
Although it is hard, durable and sustainable, bamboo is actually grass and not wood. It is hard and strong, used for centuries and today in many cultures as the first building material. It is highly renewable and sustainable, making it one of the best options for home cabinets.
Bamboo can grow and mature in seven years and sometimes sooner. This is very different from hardwood trees that take decades to reach timber harvesting age. The bamboo plant will still be intact after the stalks are harvested. This allows the regeneration of new stocks for future harvests. Hardwood trees are consumed at harvest and cannot regrow for decades.
With proper management, bamboo is a valuable building material because it can be supplied quickly and sustainably, making it the perfect eco-friendly choice for cabinets. The toughness also makes it perfect for floors as well as cabinets. Doors and cabinet frames will take a beating over time. This means that harder materials work better for cabinets than softer ones.
Another great benefit of bamboo is that it is dimensionally stable. This means that it does not swell or shrink as much as wood. This is an advantage in bathrooms due to high humidity levels. Steam from hot showers and splashes from the sink often cause wood to swell and drawers and doors to stick. With bamboo, this does not happen.
When purchasing bamboo cabinets, homeowners should look for quality construction. A good construction will increase the longevity of the cabinet and overall satisfaction. Pay attention to features that provide durability and quality. Most mass-produced cabinets are made of particle board, a flimsy material that won’t hold up well in your home.
Bamboo panels are engineered with adhesives, so choose a cabinet supplier that uses low-formaldehyde or no-formaldehyde bamboo. They can be custom built units or RTA (ready to assemble) units. RTAs are easier and cheaper because people install them on their own. They are shipped in a knockdown format and are designed to be easily assembled and installed.
Adhesives and cabinet finish must be considered. The low VOC (volatile organic compound) finish and low formaldehyde content will create a greener, healthier indoor air environment. Remember also that bamboo comes from distant geographic locations. So if your goal is green, keep in mind that transportation energy costs and environmental impact add to the otherwise renewable material.
Bamboo is known to be eco-friendly. However, when harvested early, the material will develop sub-standard properties. Improper management and increasing demand for bamboo threaten its sustainability. Be sure to speak with the supplier of the cabinet to better understand where the bamboo comes from and how it is processed. This ensures that the material is of quality and from reliable sources.
