Bamboo Kitchen Cabinets: More to Offer than Just a “Green” Reputation
Closer by definition to grass than to wood, bamboo is certified to be a "green" product, mainly because of its easy, rapid regeneration. Though there is plenty of bamboo available, bamboo stems are hollow, so building materials made of bamboo must actually be made from layers of sliced bamboo that have been glued together. This processing means more materials and energy are used for production than in the cultivation of hardwoods - a caveat that leaves it open to debate on whether bamboo is truly more "green" than wood.
The better argument for choosing bamboo kitchen cabinets may be less about bamboo's green reputation and more about the material's affordability, durability and unique appearance.
Affordable
Bamboo shoots can grow over 3 feet in a single day, grow to maturity in 5 years and can flourish where other vegetation may fail, from jungles to mountainsides. Rapid regeneration means widespread availability, and anything that is in great supply is less costly. Bamboo thrives around the world, even in the United States, so it's no surprise that it is more affordable than any other renewable building material.
Durable
Though it is technically a grass, bamboo is surprisingly hard in some parts. It's known to be as tough as cedar wood. Bamboo is also highly moisture resistant. Because bamboo has already been exposed to outdoor elements like rain and humidity, its durability makes it a great choice for cabinetry, especially for use in hard working kitchens. The strong and flexible characteristics of bamboo have made it a popular material not just for bamboo kitchen cabinets and outdoor furniture but for producing a variety of products, such as bamboo flooring and walls, plywood and veneers, décor like floor mats and artwork, and even for manufacturing softer products like fiber towels, bathrobes and pillowcases and blankets.
Unique
Bamboo has a natural and airy look that recalls memories of the tropics and orient, and no wonder, as it has been used in Asian décor and Japanese design in homes and palaces for thousands of years. Unlike a traditional hardwood where the true beauty of the wood hides inside the tree and necessitates cutting, sanding and finishing to fully bring out its character, bamboo cabinets will give any kitchen a natural, outdoors feel simply because they look like what you'd enjoy in the untouched wild. Bamboo kitchen cabinets allow homeowners to bring outdoor landscaping inside, and the fact that an ecological-design kitchen includes cabinets made from an edible material makes for an interesting talking point with visitors as they enjoy a meal.
Crossroads Custom Cabinetry redefines the U.S. cabinet industry by making premium quality, custom cabinets widely available at greatly reduced prices. Crossroads' team of professionals are dedicated to empowering the home improvement consumer community with superior products at factory direct prices. Webinetry.com is a completely new channel ushering in a new era for the way today's American consumer can research, preview, budget, and finalize their cabinet purchasing decisions online.