| Bamboo has experienced a tremendous explosion in | | | | in an even consistent finish with a more uniform end |
| popularity as environmental concerns and resource | | | | grain. In its natural state, Bamboo ranges in color from |
| management have become the hottest consumer | | | | creamy white to yellow and dark green, to black and |
| topics of the day. As consumers look to reduce their | | | | gray. Popular color selections for Bamboo kitchen |
| impact on the environment, they are inundated with | | | | cabinets include the natural blond color and a slightly |
| resource conservation information and alternative | | | | warmer, deep amber tone induced by "caramelizing" or |
| options to traditional building and cabinetry products. | | | | steaming the bamboo cane. This process darkens the |
| Today's sophisticated consumers have been exposed | | | | sugar compounds in the fiber and gives the bamboo its |
| to the benefits and attributes of alternative materials | | | | unique richness. The cell structure and absorption rates |
| such as Bamboo. | | | | of Bamboo allow for a high quality application of finish |
| One of the most abundant and renewable resources | | | | materials in a spectrum of colors that will complement |
| found on earth, Bamboo is classified as a "grass" and | | | | virtually any home décor. |
| not a wood specie. This woody perennial matures in | | | | Since Bamboo stalks are hollow and narrow, they |
| less than seven years and can grow as much as 48 | | | | must be sliced into strips and glued together to make |
| inches in a 24 hour period. These tree-like "grasses", | | | | Bamboo "planks". Variation in the "planking" creates |
| which thrive in the forests of Southeast Asia, can | | | | Bamboos' unique grain orientation and overall |
| grow to heights of 75 feet with trunk diameters up to | | | | appearance. These distinct lines and graining striations |
| 14 inches. | | | | create clean, contemporary and transitional design |
| Botanical classification aside, Bamboos' uniqueness lies | | | | options in either raised panel, recessed panel, or slab |
| in factors that include its renewability and sustainability; | | | | door styles. |
| its strength and hardness; its multiple uses as a food | | | | While Bamboo epitomizes the perfect renewable |
| staple for humans and animals, a building material, | | | | resource, environmentally conscious consumers should |
| cabinetry and flooring construction material, and | | | | be aware of emissions from adhesives and finish |
| household goods component material. As a highly | | | | materials used in the processing of Bamboo flooring, |
| renewable resource, Bamboo is a durable, stable and | | | | cabinetry and furniture. To preserve the eco-friendly |
| attractive material that does not impact the worlds | | | | qualities and inherent traits of Bamboo, manufacturers |
| timber resources when harvested. Its short growth | | | | must utilize adhesives with "no-added urea |
| cycle and abundant forests make it one of the most | | | | formaldehyde" and finish materials that emit little or no |
| sustainable resources. | | | | Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) during the |
| Commonly acknowledged for strength and durability | | | | manufacturing process. When accomplished, Bamboo |
| that rivals most hardwood species, Bamboo has been | | | | products are the most environmentally sound products |
| used in the flooring industry for many years and only | | | | available. |
| recently has become very popular for "green" projects | | | | Incorporating a sustainable, non-traditional material, such |
| in the cabinet manufacturing industry. Extremely low | | | | as Bamboo, into a custom kitchen, bath, or other room |
| expansion and contraction rates provide a dimensional | | | | cabinetry design requires a complete understanding of |
| stability that outperforms the most popular wood | | | | the components and procedures used to create the |
| species used in cabinetry and furniture. This stability | | | | cabinetry for this specific storage application. In offering |
| provides an advantage in environments where | | | | the same construction methods, finish quality, storage |
| moisture levels are higher than normal or rapid | | | | accessories and design modifications available in more |
| changes in the moisture levels are very common. | | | | traditional cabinetry, Bamboo cabinetry provides the |
| Bamboo has a tight grain appearance with narrow | | | | beauty and functionality of traditional custom cabinetry |
| staves and naturally occurring specks and burl-like | | | | and the most sensible option for the environmentally |
| nodes. The dense cellular structure of Bamboo results | | | | conscious home owner. |