About Us House of Bamboo has more than thirty five years experience in working with bamboo and natural sustainable materials and utilising their beauty and versatility. In fact, in the seventies, they pioneered the trend to bamboo and originally operated under the name Bambuzit®, ( Bamboo is it!!). This Sydney based company has been a well known reliable treasure trove to professionals in the Australian design, building and film industries searching for natural sustainable materials. In the last decade, the company has traded under the name House of Bamboo®. Its bamboo screening, shading, fence cladding and bamboo fencing have all been well integrated in to the Landscaping Industry, where prominent designers and landscape architects have widely utilised these natural products in varied landscape themes. At the same time, now there is a much wider general environmental knowledge and interest in being green. Many of us have grown to understand the genuine sustainability of bamboo, which grows abundantly and quickly, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, whilst releasing oxygen. Its fast natural growth allows timber in approximately seven years for hardwearing beautiful flooring, saving old growth forests. Bamboo, being a grass, also sheds leaves onto the ground, creating organic mulch which contains tiny capsules of carbon, which stay sequestered in the soil for thousands of years, making it even more efficient at removing carbon from the atmosphere than trees, which release carbon once they are cut down. Bamboo has been known through the centuries as man’s valued companion plant, providing multiple uses and growing in a multitude of contexts. It is our pleasure to see more and more imaginative utilisation of this graceful and practical plant. House of Bamboo® specialises in quality bamboo and related natural products able to be used in varied ways to bring privacy, beauty and overhead shading in contemporary Australian landscaping. For interior settings, bamboo flooring is rapidly being recognised for its beauty and durability- as well as its cost-effectiveness and environmental value. House of Bamboo provides Australia’s most varied collection of classic and new natural materials, shade structures, furniture and bamboo flooring, environmentally appropriate, thoughtfully designed and competitively priced. The materials are easy to work with and bring natural texture and beauty to fencing, screening, cladding and shade projects. They also can be used creatively in shop fit outs, restaurants, home interiors, special events and films. House of Bamboo’s materials are plantation grown. Their materials, structures and displays have received awards at various exhibitions and have been utilised in TV makeover programs. Our mission at House of Bamboo is to provide responsible natural bamboo and related products, which can be integrated into contemporary settings, bringing a peaceful natural ambience and beauty. FAQ's Can House of Bamboo materials be shipped to my home? We deliver direct to locations in Australia. We also have stockists in most cities in Australia.? Can your indoor products be used outdoors? Most of our products designed for interior applications can only be used indoors. This is due to the manufacturing process and some sealants being water soluble. What type of maintenance is required for bamboo and your natural materials? Any 'natural materials' e.g. the leather of shoes or handbags, when exposed to the outdoor elements will be affected in some way. The material may dry out and appear grey, crack or in some instances bamboo (due to its high starch content) may attract fungus and turn 'black' when saturated in the rain or in an environment conducive to fungus and mould. This can be overcome in most cases; however, with regular & proper maintenance.. Are House of Bamboo materials suitable for DIY projects? Yes, House of Bamboo products are DIY friendly and can be installed by handy people. Can House of Bamboo assist in installation of their materials? Yes, House of Bamboo can arrange for installation in the Sydney and Melbourne areas. We are expanding our installation team and hope to have more major cities covered soon. How does the quality and appearance of House of Bamboo’s Natureed® and associated products differ from inferior materials? House of Bamboo’s Natureed® and other materials are made from carefully selected lengths of sound plantation grown reeds or rods securely bound with strict quality control. This contrasts with cladding made of inferior randomly selected reeds or rods and bound with poor wire binding. Our materials are made to last and with correct installation and care. As a natural material you will benefit from the beauty and uniqueness of the individual elements that make up your product choice. There may be slight variations in colour or texture due to the nature of the product in its natural state. What are the typical substrates that House of Bamboo materials screen and clad? House of Bamboo materials are used to clad paling and metal fences, wire mesh, lattice, brushwood fences, brick and concrete walls, garage walls, above ground pools, rain water tanks, pool filters, air conditioners and deck and pool surrounds. They are used for shading and cooling varied roofing structures and outdoor areas. How often do I need to maintain my fence/deck? This will dependent on your own particular environment. Some environments are harsher than others and will require more regular upkeep. Are floating floors noisy? Floating floors consisted of a few thin layers of different materials. This caused a "noise" when you walked on it due to the combination of different materials touching. Today, due to the new Strand Woven technology and German engineering, UClic system, we can provide a solid 14mm thick bamboo board. Does bamboo decking require maintenance? There are two types of bamboo decking, strand woven and vertical. Both are eco products however the strand woven is a harder material due to its processing. Both types of decking require maintenance, with the strand woven requiring more due to the hardness and lack of ability to absorb oil. Strand woven decking if exposed outdoors and has no shelter we have found there is always a degree of expansion and contraction as the glue/bamboo matrix acclimatises to the weather extremes it has to endure with full exposure. We have observed that is it impossible to stop this movement as the glue/bamboo is so highly compressed however there is always a relaxing of this compression over time due to hot/cold cycles and wet/dry conditions. All wood products do this to a degree and many species split very fast on install within hours of direct sun and heat. To find our more on maintenance requirements please contact House of Bamboo directly. Products Bamboo Fencing Bamboo Fencing is a generic term, usually conveying a general look and environmental concept rather than a precise product name. House of Bamboo has a comprehensive range of bamboo fencing and related materials ideal for making new fences, screening for privacy or hiding unsightly areas, or for cladding existing unattractive surfaces, such as fences or walls. These materials are often collectively referred to under House of Bamboo’s trade mark : Bamboo Surrounds®. They include Bamboo Rod Screens, Cane Reed, Muara Screens and Slim Bamboo Screens. All these materials are appropriate for screening and cladding. In making new fences, it is advisable to use two layers with a support frame in between for attractive appearance both sides of the fence and for extra strength. (Natureed® is also frequently referred to as Bamboo Fencing. Look under that product as well to see if it suits your requirements. Individual bamboo poles can also be used to construct fences. See under that section.) For dimensions and more information check under precise product names. Natureed Cladding Natureed® is House of Bamboo’s quality natural reed cladding product used for screening, cladding, fencing and creating overhead shade. It comes in rolls of securely bound reeds, which are durable, highly resistant to termites and moisture and low in flammability. Natureed® is used in versatile ways. It clads unsightly fences or walls to bring a new natural cohesive texture to garden surrounds. It can be used for privacy or barrier screens in pool, garden or deck areas and for bringing elegant overhead shade to existing or new pergola outdoor room contexts. Natureed®’s beauty lies in its quality and natural look, which blends with varied contemporary outdoor architectural and landscaping styles, but also with gardens having tropical, Balinese, Oriental, Mediterranean or Australian natives themes. Natureed® is a trademarked product made with quality control and bound properly with non-rusting wire. It lasts well, is easily installed and needs minimal maintenance. The reeds are a natural warm brown colour of approx 5-6mm thickness. House of Bamboo is the exclusive supplier of Natureed® across Australia. ( Be wary of inferior copy products, poorly constructed and attempting to be passed off as Natureed®) The above images show Natureed® cladding existing fences, but see general sections above on fence and wall cladding, screening as well as gallery for more comprehensive examples of cladding and screening with Natureed®. Timber Flat Screens House of Bamboo has created a new line of elegant timber slat screens, which are made from plantation (acacia) timber and are very practical, being able to be flexible and curved, or used either vertically or horizontally. Placed vertically, they are ideal to screen around objects with different shapes, such as water tanks, facility areas or perhaps a storage area on a deck or balcony. Hung horizontally, they make beautiful screens for the sides of patios, balconies, alcoves or even an internal divider. They are also able to be draped over storage boxes to create an elegant bench seat or used imaginatively for a range of purposes. Bamboo Ply Panels Bamboo Ply panels are used for a wide range of purposes. They comprise attractive compressed bamboo woven in a fine or broad herringbone pattern and produced in varying thicknesses. They bring character and ambience to resorts and restaurants, shop fit-outs, special event structures and residential interiors. Most frequently used as wall or ceiling linings, they are also great for lamp shades, wardrobe door linings, bed head inserts, table tops, bar and cupboard inserts and other imaginative purposes. Backlit, they create a soft warmth, but use as lining or panelling also produces a soft clean elegance especially in settings with a tropical or oriental theme. Images above are all of Bamboo Ply panels from House of Bamboo used as wall and ceiling linings in the beautiful Wakaya Club Resort in Fiji. Bamboo Poles and Slats House of Bamboo’s bamboo poles come in a variety of diameters and lengths. Bamboo slats are cut slim lengths less than half the thickness of a full pole. Both are useful for trimming in fencing and cladding projects and feature panels but multiple uses are made of them by landscapers, special events organisers and interior designers. They can be stained and protected for outdoor use. See below for code names and specifications. Bamboo poles are naturally wider at the base than the tip of the pole. Poles naturally vary somewhat in texture and hue. Size is measured according to diameter at the base of the pole and sizes may vary marginally. Some 2m poles are also available stained black. Bamboo and Reed Pergola Shading Pergolas Natural shading with Natureed® or bamboo allows shade, filtered light and airflow in a way that suits the Australian outdoor lifestyle perfectly. Many people have open timber or metal pergolas which are too hot to sit under for most of the day. Natureed® is an ideal hardy material to install above, between or below the beams, creating instant attractive dappled light and coolness. A natural feel is simultaneously created, which can be sustained beautifully at night with lighting above the Natureed®. This is so much more natural and cool than synthetic sails or shade cloth. Plastic Roofed Pergolas If you have a pergola setting covered with laserlite, alsynite, polycarbonate etc, the heat created with this plastic style roofing can be immediately reduced with Natureed® cladding. Often the polycarbonate can be temporarily removed and Natureed® installed above the beams and then the polycarbonate returned to its place. Alternatively, if room is available, the Natureed® can be laid above the beams and below the plastic, or simply installed between the beams . These types of installation allow the beams to remain a feature. If however, you want or need to cover the beams, then Natureed® can simply be stapled to the base of the timber beams or clipped to wires stretched across the pergola. Cladding the plastic roofing allows the area to be used during or after rain, whilst shade and coolness are created and filtered light is ideal all year round. As well as being sanctuary spaces for lazy lunches and softly lit evening meals outdoors, these areas are often perfect for children to play, protected from the sun, but with plenty of fresh air and light. Natureed® is the natural choice for this type of shading. It is reasonably light weight, very hardy, moisture and termite resistant and its relatively slim diameter allows a soft light between reeds. Bamboo fencing materials, such as Cane Reed and Muara screening are heavier and thus not quite as practical for this application, but they are also used for these applications. For more information see also under Natureed® shading and support section for installation. Bamboo Flooring Bamboo Flooring is environmentally responsible, as bamboo is highly sustainable and renewable. It has beautiful, natural hues and patina and is harder and more stable than other timber. It is vermin proof, and pre-finished with several layers of coating, allowing installation to be quick and easy and without the fumes and sanding mess inevitable with timber flooring installation. The bamboo flooring comes in three versions of construction: horizontal, vertical and strand woven. The pattern on the flooring varies according to the method of construction. Each of these three construction versions come in either the light natural bamboo tones or the carbonized bamboo- a more ochre slightly darker shade, resulting from the carbonizing curing of the bamboo. The bamboo flooring boards come in either a tongue and groove all round profile, enabling them to be bonded directly or to be secret nailed to the sublfoor suitable for nailing into, or in a simple click lock profile, which usually requires neither adhesive nor secret nailing. The click lock boards are available in natural or carbonised woven. The boards have multiple coats of a premium German finish for optimum protection and are sold in packs. House of Bamboo provides high quality bamboo flooring at a competitive price. The flooring can be installed by your self, your own tradesperson or by our experienced sub-contractors . We also supply bamboo flooring accessories such as Flush Reducers, Quarter Rounds, Stair Nosing ,Wall Skirting , Sika bonding adhesive, aqua acoustic timber cushioning and springtred timber cushioning. Please contact House of Bamboo in relation to the latter or for a quote or consultation. Walls Cladding Exteriors House of Bamboo materials lend themselves to various applications when there is a need to screen out an unsightly wall, perhaps to soften a hard-edged look, bring texture, cohesion or even privacy. Often cladding garage walls, water tanks, tired old fence walls can bring a transformation and the use of colour in conjunction with the cladding can be also be very effective. If you are creating a thematic context, use of the same material for fencing can be continued for screening of ‘unsightlies ‘ and contribute to a cohesive design through the whole setting. For side privacy on decks, patios, and balconies, often use of a cladding material in front or outside glass can bring privacy and ambience. Natureed® is ideal for wall cladding, but most exterior materials from House of Bamboo can also be used for this function. Wall Cladding Interiors Wall linings can often be used as a feature backdrop in a home or restaurant. Many of our exterior materials are also used indoors for settings with a textured ambience. Renaturit® Most unusual of the indoor materials are the Re-Naturit® wall linings exclusive to House of Bamboo. These are made with compressed pine and rush foliage on a background of compressed natural fibres. Attached to fibre glass and back–lit, they are translucent and make a stunning feature wall. These are single sided and approximately 1-2mm in thickness. Wall hangings are also available. They are cork backed, slightly thicker and are not translucent. Bamboo Ply This is an attractive compressed bamboo wall lining with a fine herringbone pattern, creating ambience and a muted texture. It can also be back-lit, giving a soft warmth. The bamboo ply comes in 4 thicknesses, 1mm, 2mm, 4mm and 7mm. These are ideal for contexts with a tropical or Asian feel. They also work very well as ceiling linings and furniture inserts. They come in flat sheet packs. Palm Fibre Palm Fibre is a thick rolled leaf material, which can be effective in creating a highly textured Polynesian effect but it can also be used imaginatively in contemporary settings. It comes in a roll. Closed and open weave Cane Webbing Closed and open cane or rattan webbing, are also used at times as ceiling or furniture linings. Traditionally used in furniture for sides, seating or bed-heads, these create a soft textured look. We also have a limited range of natural wall coverings. These are available for inspection only at House of Bamboo. Bamboo Decking House of Bamboo supplies bamboo decking for outdoors. This strandwoven carbonized bamboo decking is very dense and provides greater strength and hardness than hardwood timbers. The solid mass bamboo decking is treated with insect retardants and impregnated with natural decking oil. Its surface is grooved for non-slip outdoors. Each board contains either finer or deeper grooves as preferred by the client, who can reverse the decking boards to use the appropriate surface. As per the Australian standard, we recommend that all decking boards be entirely coated with decking oil prior to installation and every 6 months thereafter.