Bamboo is a type of grass that grows very fast and can be found in diverse climatic conditions. They don’t need much care, and many abandoned land areas are found to be covered with bamboo. Today, where natural resources are being depleted at an alarming rate, the increase in wood consumption does not help maintain the ecological balance.
Bamboo is considered a sustainable alternative to wood as it requires very little water to grow and can reach its full size or grow back within 5 years. Hence, harvesting bamboo does not leave you with barren land or kill trees that are many, many decades old.
Ways To Use Bamboo
Bamboo is predominantly used in making many solid products that are eco-friendly and very attractive. Some of the products one can find easily are bamboo baskets, musical instruments, furniture, mattresses, pillars, roofs, and even clothing.
Since the 20th century, bamboo has been increasingly used in the construction sector to replace wood where the wood composite is used. Particle board, fireboard, plywood, laminated bamboo lumbar, wood-plastic composites, etc., are some of the places where bamboo is replacing wood composites. This adds to the versatility of this natural material and makes it a great alternative to wood from forests.
Advantages
As seen earlier, bamboo is a sustainable material that can save many trees. Here are a few more advantages of using bamboo:
- Water scarcity is a big problem in many parts of the world today. Since bamboo requires very little water to grow, it does not deplete this natural resource.
- It takes only 5 years for a bamboo sapling to reach full maturity, and once cut, it can grow back in 3 to 5 years. This increases its availability for regular use.
- A bamboo mattress with a layer of foam infused with bamboo provides a cooling effect, which can be a big advantage in warm areas.
- Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties enable it to be used in many products without adding any harsh chemicals for durability.
Disadvantages
Just like every other material, this sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to wood has its own set of disadvantages too:
- When bamboo grows in an area, it spreads and takes over surrounding areas very fast. This makes it difficult and sometimes impossible to grow other plants around the area where bamboo is grown.
- Getting rid of bamboo from the soil it has been growing in is not easy as it tends to grow back.
- Bamboo-infused foams for mattresses, if not made of good quality, can lead to off-gassing. It can be unsuitable for those suffering from various lung issues.
- In order to be used in fabrics, bamboo has to undergo a lot of chemical processing, which can nullify its eco-friendly properties.
Bamboo mattress
Here is why a bamboo mattress can be a great choice for your bedroom:
- It has cooling properties that can make your sleep more comfortable
- It is eco friendly and durable thus lasts long without affecting the environment
- Bamboo fabric and covers are very breathable
- These mattresses can be very comfortable
