Building with bamboo: sustainable and strong

Image courtesy of Eva-Last.

Tough, efficient and sustainable building materials are becoming more common in construction as advancements in the industry develop. A common misconception among home buyers is that the switch to sustainability will compromise the durability of a home. This mixup may leave contractors, renovators and homeowners reluctant to make the switch, especially during the unpredictable weather Canada has been experiencing. Fluctuating weather conditions lead to frequent flooding, fires and freezing across the country. According to Statistics Canada, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 all rank in the top 10 worst years in Canada.

Despite concerns, strong and dependable building materials do exist and they have been proven to hold up in case studies. One of the fastest-growing and strongest plants in the world, bamboo,  could become a popular and eco-friendly replacement for timber in home construction. According to Bamboo Bioproducts, bamboo can bend without breaking and is more durable and lighter than other materials like wood. Using bamboo polymer composites (BPC) in a home can guarantee a lifespan of decades with no unnecessary replacements and prevent deforestation. 

Composite manufacturer Eva-Last is one of the many companies utilizing bamboo in its products. Eva-Last’s composite materials are made from renewable bamboo fibres and recycled plastics which are used in commercial and residential builds. CEO of Eva-Last, Marc Minne, encourages developers and contractors to consider bamboo in home design and construction. 

According to Minne, wood would normally be used as a filler in composite materials whereas manufacturers like Eva-Last, sellers, BambooVision, and designers, Greenington, all use bamboo. Bamboo has low oil content, mixes extremely easily and has a large amount of strength in its natural form, explains Minne. So when it comes to bamboo fibres in composites, he is not worried about a structure collapsing. “It is one of the strongest organic cellulose fibres,” he says.

Bamboo only takes three years to fully grow and does not experience secondary growth, unlike trees according to Australian supplier, Red Cloud Bamboo. Minne believes it is becoming more obvious to everyone that humankind needs to find alternative ways to build going forward. “Allowing a tree to grow for 250 years and then using it as a disposable item on a deck for 20 years does not make sense.” Bamboo can be used for a variety of products from textiles to panel siding to fencing. Eva-Last’s BPCs are typically used for structural beams, louvres and often replace dimensional lumber.

Minne also acknowledges that, for many of us, esthetics play a big factor in the design of a home or commercial space. “Bamboo has strength but it is also beautiful,” he says. “We really pride ourselves on creating beautiful products that meet requirements of design.” Minne hopes to see sustainable and strong bamboo infrastructure become a trend in the future. To him, evolution in sustainable innovation is imperative to creating a greener future – and he also hopes to see more manufacturers follow suit in producing eco-friendly bamboo products.  

By embracing low environmental impact manufacturing and cutting-edge composite technology, Eva-Last is changing the status quo. 

Their advanced composite building materials are manufactured from resource-efficient and renewable bamboo fibers (which aid carbon sequestration) combined with recycled plastic polymers (which reduce plastic waste and pollution).

Bamboo polymer composites (BPCs) outperform traditional timber, providing superior durability able to withstand extreme weather, whilst preventing deforestation (and concomitant biodiversity loss). With a guaranteed lifespan of decades, there’s no unnecessary replacement meaning no unnecessary production, and structures can weather any storm.