Gazebo Prices: November 2011

Customer review
Stores
Specifications

Foreverbamboo

$99.99

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Anyone who spends a few minutes researching bamboo often comes away with the knowledge that, "you can do any thing with bamboo!"

While this is mostly true, 'anything' isn't a product. Kiln-dried poles as stand-alone items add wonderful accents to any home. Bamboo can be custom cut and stained to order to compliment any decor.

Bamboo Poles

Bamboo poles can also be split, allowing for an even larger variety of custom home interior designs. Wall facing, wall art, sconces and valences are just a few items you can use for interior design and decorating.

Various timber and decorative varieties can meet anyone's needs with many different levels of customization available. For a quick, room-accenting feature, you could combine bamboo poles varying in size and color to make a custom-made Boo-Quets which is perfect for any size home or apartment. Mix and match your favorite styles, colors and varieties for a unique and personal touch!

Choosing the Right Pole

In terms of color, most people enjoy the natural beauty of bamboo. Henon provides a subtle olive green, silver-ish color, while Moso is a bold, golden brown. Choosing the right species is a matter of taste, as is the decision to stain or flame-treat it.

But, as a diamond is judged on color, carat, cut and clarity, so too is bamboo judged on color, cut and cracking.

Most bamboo that is treated overseas is air-dried, which leads to pole cracking, especially for thinner-walled species. You should try to find bamboo poles that are kiln-dried, which ensures that moisture content in the poles will always be low so it will very rarely if ever crack.

Cut is also important, when bamboo is young, its outer wall is very thin. As it gets older, it grows thicker on the inside. By the time timber bamboo species reach 5 years of age, they are extremely thick and excellent for landscaping and lumber. In fact, bamboo can be manufactured into flooring that is many times stronger than oak!

When selecting bamboo poles always obtain bamboo that's least 3-5 years old when harvested, depending on the end user's needs. Decorative poles can be harvested in year 3 as non-timber species are not required for bearing weight.

To be able to judge the age of bamboo, simply turn it on its side. Most timber species, if harvested properly, should have a thick outer wall at the base that slowly tapers off to the top. It is at the end of the pole where the most cracking occurs, so be sure to note whether the end of the pole has an intact node or not.

Decorative species tend to have thinner walls, so be sure to check your pole for cracks before purchasing.

Maintenance

Many American bamboo harvesters kiln-dry bamboo poles so they require very little maintenance. As they're already dried to under 20% moisture, there's very little that outside temperature changes and humidity can do to warp or crack the poles. Keep your poles clean by simply washing them with soap and water.

Likewise, stained and fire-treated poles require little in the way of maintenance. Properly stained bamboo pole's color will not fade over time. As with all organic products, however, some color fading may occur over the span of several years.

Choosing an All-American Product

The highest quality bamboo poles are grown, harvested and produced right here in the good ol' US of A! The majority of all bamboo products in America are brought here from overseas manufacturers. Domestic groves in the United States have helped wean ourselves off of foreign sources of bamboo, making this remarkable plant truly green.

Bamboo Poles and How to Use Them

Tom Thomsen, Founder and President, http://southernbamboo.us

Southern Bamboo Inc is based in Mississippi which specializes in bamboo poles, where the agriculture-based economy is in dire need of a rejuvenating cash crop. Bamboo provides us all a wonderful opportunity to usher in a new era where a company's success is judged by how many jobs it keeps in the United States.

4" x 5' Natural Bamboo Pole Pack (4 Poles) Overview

"Tonkin Bamboo is strong, elegant bamboo. The surface has a slight sandy beige patina because it is cleaned by rubbing with river sand. It is always provided dry and fumigated. These bamboo poles can be used indoors or outdoors as a decorative element to create an exotic focal point.