Bamboo has emerged as, perhaps, the most easily recognizable eco-friendly material for great green cabinetry and can make for some exciting new looks with some great twists on familiar finishing approaches.

Most fabricators understand that applying wiping stains to some light woods can be problematic and the lighter wood tones can transmit through. Bamboo is no different, and the darker tan bamboo provides a better material than the lighter toned natural yellow bamboo.

Many fabricators may be surprised to hear that manufacturers make a point to say staining is not recommended. Most wood veneers are very thin and stains penetrate to the underlying glue layer and saturate the veneer with pigment. Bamboos constructed as a three-ply material with a thick veneer will continue to absorb the pigment over time, and stains can slowly fade. While stains can fade, they do so consistently and without blotching.

Also, knuckles on bamboo are softer than the surrounding material and can take more stain and lead to a somewhat blotchy finish which is minimized when using the more narrowly striped vertical bamboo.

Dye stains typically penetrate more deeply than wiping stains and tend to work well when compared to other stains.

A tinted oil finish, such as those made by Osmo, provides another option as oils are great for hardwoods such as Pecan and reapplying an oil finish can help sustain the color.

Although bamboo is not a wood, it is very hard like many hardwoods and takes an oil very well. When wet sanded, it provides a uniquely soft and smooth finish (though admittedly, most people are not inclined to reapply oils).

Veneers provide perhaps the best option for staining as they are very thin and can be applied where the underlying glue layer provides a barrier.

One final and great option is to use pigmented finishes in lieu of stains where the graining pattern of bamboo transmits through. Itʼs easy to apply too much pigment and lose the grain, but when well done provides a subtle and more refined look that softens what can be a more structured and regimented look and graining pattern.

Comment on this story Why is bamboo considered green Created by Anonymous in 11/8/2010 4:23:33 PM I do not understand the thinking behind the green label for bamboo. I realize that it is a fast regenerating wood source but how is that enough to gain the green rating? Is the total cost taken into account? For example the cost of shipping and the Eco-impact of that shipping? I would more readily accept that bamboo being a green resource if it were grown locally! Delete UnApprove Why is bamboo considered green Created by Anonymous in 11/8/2010 2:07:14 PM I do not understand the thinking behind the green label for bamboo. I realize that it is a fast regenerating wood source but how is that enough to gain the green rating? Is the total cost taken into account? For example the cost of shipping and the Eco-impact of that shipping? I would more readily accept that bamboo being a green resource if it were grown locally! Delete UnApprove Your Name Email Website Title Comment New Comment Enter the code