How to Work With Bamboo Plywood

Bamboo is an eco-friendly building material.

Bamboo plywood is an eco-friendly material made by cutting the hollow stems of bamboo plants into strips that are then boiled, dried and glued together in horizontal and vertical layers. Bamboo has the strength of other durable wood, but it's actually a grass that not only regenerates after being cut, it grows up to 3 feet a day. Its eco-credentials make it a favorite with environmentally conscious builders, and its natural colors and grains have won praise from designers. But for do-it-yourself home improvement projects, bamboo plywood can be an eccentric material with a new set of challenges.

Things You'll Need

• Circular saw
• Woodworking glue
• High-speed drill
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Wood finish

Instructions

1. Store bamboo plywood by laying it flat a few feet above the floor or ground. In addition, keep the plastic wrapping on until the wood is ready to be used. Bamboo plywood's porous grain absorbs moisture rapidly. If stored incorrectly, the sheets can warp.

2. Cut the plywood carefully with a circular carbide blade to avoid splitting.

3. Use woodworking glues like polyvinyl acetates and fasteners such as paneling and construction adhesives when possible. If screws are needed, pre-cut the holes with a high-speed drill, always supporting the back-side of the bamboo with scrap wood to avoid cracks.

4. Sand the bamboo with a fine-grit sandpaper, and then apply a wood finish, such as oil wax, stain or polyurethane sealer, to protect and increase the life of bamboo plywood.

Tips & Warnings

• Oil finishes are used to enhance the color of the bamboo, but they need to be reapplied. Clear sealers protect bamboo plywood from moisture.

• Bamboo plywood is prone to splitting.

References

• Higuera Hardwoods: 3-part Specification for Bamboo Plywood Panels
• Wood Magazine: Bamboo
• The Handyman Club of America: Building With Bamboo
• Builder Magazine: FSC Certifies Bamboo Flooring, Bamboo Plywood