Bamboo is a material that is quite easy to obtain in Indonesia. Beside growing in the wild, this plant is usually planted on house yard as a decoration. The unique shape of bamboo could catch the attention of most people. The types of bamboo that are usually used as house decoration are yellow bamboo, black bamboo, and gigantochloa apus (apus bamboo). This plant has a lot of functions, such as for animal food, cooking utensils, bridge construction material, musical instrument, decoration, and also weapon. Bamboo shoots could also be processed into delicious cuisines.
Furthermore, bamboo also has another function, that is as building construction material. This natural building material is popular because it is relatively resistant to different weather. Bamboo has been used as building material for a long time, this could be seen by the amount of old buildings that are made of bamboo. Eventhough bamboo comes from nature, that does not mean that buildings built with bamboos will look cheap. With the correct placement, arrangement, and handling, bamboo could give a unique and attractive appearance to your building. Besides, bamboo could also give a particular artistic touch to the building.
Another advantage of using bamboo is its easy planting. Bamboo also grows fast, and it is ready to harvest in 3-5 years. This makes bamboo a good alternative for wood because wood could only be harvested in good condition every 50 years. Bamboo plant is also known for its endurance. Bamboo could regrow even after it got burned. Furthermore, bamboo’s elasticity also allows it to withstand wind and earthquake.
However, bamboo also has a few disadvantages, such as its low durability. This material is strong, but it is prone to powderpost beetle attacks. If bamboo is not preserved, this material could only last for around 5 years. Furthermore, the correct material and technique is needed to connect the bamboos. Using nails for connecting bamboos might make the bamboo easily broken. Meanwhile, connecting bamboos using rope requires a good worker skill to achieve a strong bamboo structure. The rope needs to be checked and tuned regularly to prevent it from slacking. Besides, eventhough bamboos will regrow after it is burned, this material is very prone to fire.
If you are using bamboos for building construction, do not forget to plan the placement and usage first before starting the construction. Prepare a well-planned structure design for a stronger result. Bamboos have limited diameter and length, so a well-planned structure design is necessary. Choose good quality bamboos that have been preserved, and place them vertically to increase their durability. Keep them away from damp and wet areas because humidity could decrease the quality of bamboos.
Apply bamboos only on particular areas of the building to add a natural touch. Beside bamboo structure, you should also pay attention to your building’s structure and the materials used. One of which is cement. Do not forget a high quality cement, such as Semen Merah Putih, for a stronger and more durable result.
