Sustainability - 5 min read
In the past, bamboo was an inexpensive option for designing fences, shacks, and scaffolding. But when Bali Green School founders (John and Cynthia Hardy) were able to treat bamboo for better functionality, builders began to realise that bamboo is an excellent solution for sustainable construction.
With sustainability being a top concern in the construction sector, bamboo has emerged as one of the best materials to use for homes and buildings. Bamboo is tough, grows quickly, and has versatile applications. From structural to decorative elements, bamboo has the characteristics necessary to elevate your sustainability initiatives.
The construction industry is a major consumer of environmental resources. From iron ore to fossil fuels, commercial buildings take up a large portion of limited resources. The rapid depletion of natural resources in different parts of the world has raised a concern about sustainability.
Indeed, many contractors are faced with the challenge of introducing sustainability during different parts of the construction process. Whether it’s using solar to power machines or exploring environmentally friendly materials, the need for sustainability is at an all-time high.
The organic nature of bamboo makes it environmentally friendly and an excellent solution for reducing degradation. During commercial construction, bamboo can be strengthened by steel rods, chemicals, and other additives. These processes have increased the applications and advantages of bamboo in both large and small structures.
Using sustainable construction techniques can also help your business save costs. For example, bamboo is easier to source, manipulate, and apply to commercial buildings. And because it’s renewable, equal quantities of bamboo can be grown and consumed as necessary.
Bamboo has been used for many years as a reliable construction material. Early examples can be found in China, Japan, and other East Asian countries- dating as far back as 7500BC. There are many reasons why bamboo has been used for construction over the years.
As opposed to concrete and steel beams, bamboo is one of the most flexible materials out there. Bamboo can be easily cut to size, re-shaped, and positioned for your structure. As clients desire more customised projects, bamboo can be used to curve, bend, and split different portions of a commercial building. Bamboo can also be infused with steel rods and fire-resistant chemicals. In this way, the material is useful for reinforcement purposes, constructing walls and floors, and even designing basements.
Bamboo is also useful for many different types of projects. Whether you’re designing a commercial office space or a manufacturing plant, bamboo provides a cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable solution. This doesn’t mean that the entire structure will be 100% bamboo. However, strategic placement can be carried out on floors, walls, and furniture fittings to make the structure truly sustainable. Furthermore, you can use bamboo for both temporary and permanent structures.
Part of the reason why bamboo is environmentally friendly is because builders can use it with minimal waste production. The entire stem of a bamboo tree can be applied to construction work, and any remaining sections are biodegradable. This means that less waste ends up in landfills and more bamboo can grow from the nutrients provided by decomposing parts.
The hollow and light nature of bamboo also makes it perfect for automation. Bamboo stems can be easily prepared for transportation, after which manufacturers will have an easier time positioning and manipulating various sections. For example, CNC machines can easily cut through bamboo (due to its hollow nature), and the solid surface of the stem is excellent for coating and polishing. Because bamboo is flexible, it also becomes an excellent choice for earthquake resistance. Bamboo panels can bend and fluctuate when faced with strong seismic forces.
Sustainability is a top concern in commercial construction. If your business is able to leverage environmentally friendly building materials, you can save on costs while winning more work. Future-proofing your construction business with sustainable solutions combined with digital software, will set you apart from your competitors.
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