Pros and Cons of Bamboo Benchtop

I am bumping this up as we're considering bamboo too, but none of the kitchen supply folk seem to offer them. Is this just a fashion thing or are there grounds?

Originally Posted by arms

that in itself should tell you something

Am I to take that to mean you declare bamboo to be rubbish for kitchen benchtops?

It would be a big assumption if I were to believe that kitchen companies rarely offer them because they are rubbish. Many other reasons might be applicable - wholesale pricing means small margins; supply line commitments limit companies to certain products; bamboo's merits as a kitchen benchtop are not yet proven; it's not a traditional option so consumer demand will be weak etc etc. Or of course it has been dropped as an option because warrantees were consistently called in a year after installation, ie it's rubbish.

We want a wooden benchtop a we're wondering if bamboo is worth considering. I assume that's what cmgardiner is thinking too.

bunnings sell them thru the flatpax range.

being bamboo, i.e made in china, and not locally made like the rest of the benchtop options, they will most likely be looked upon as a cheap version of solid timber.

when the government start taxing manufacturers for non green compliant materials, you will see bamboo climb the ranks.

Sigh

Just how...

Originally Posted by phillta

we're wondering if bamboo is worth considering

...becomes...

Originally Posted by arms

if you are so mad keen on buying the product then go to bunnings

...I don't know. But thanks for the advice anyway. Please forgive me for thinking someone might have 1) used the product, and 2) formed an opinion on that basis.

We went ahead with bamboo benchtops before Christmas so it's too early to comment on the things the original poster was concerned about (mould etc etc). We love the look of it and so far haven't had any dramas at all (touch wood...or should that be grass), and we do tend to be a wee bit reckless to be honest.

If I was selling this stuff and intended to use environmental benefits as a point of difference, I'd really want to do my homework on the end to end manufacturing and distribution process. Renewability is only one part of the puzzle.

I put in the bunning$ bamboo benchtop about 8 months ago.
It is an island hence no contact with sink.
I finished with a paint on polyurethane usually applied to floors.
It gets a workout with young family of 5 (& 1 night of table dancing) and still looks good with the scratches.
I'd use it again. Then again I am not overly fussy.

Originally Posted by phillta

We went ahead with bamboo benchtops before Christmas so it's too early to comment on the things the original poster was concerned about (mould etc etc). We love the look of it and so far haven't had any dramas at all (touch wood...or should that be grass), and we do tend to be a wee bit reckless to be honest.

If I was selling this stuff and intended to use environmental benefits as a point of difference, I'd really want to do my homework on the end to end manufacturing and distribution process. Renewability is only one part of the puzzle.

Originally Posted by mallonski

I put in the bunning$ bamboo benchtop about 8 months ago.
It is an island hence no contact with sink.
I finished with a paint on polyurethane usually applied to floors.
It gets a workout with young family of 5 (& 1 night of table dancing) and still looks good with the scratches.
I'd use it again. Then again I am not overly fussy.

So after you both went ahead and installed these benchtops (and by the way, did you do it yourselves or have someone do it for you??), how are you finding them? Did you both go through Bunnings? I'm considering this option, although if this is the price, I'm thinking maybe I should be going with granite or caesarstone instead (need to compare prices). I'd appreciate it if you can let me know how you're finding them a little bit down the track!

We bought it from Bunnings and it was installed by our cabinet maker. We're very happy with it and have no issues at all. Regarding the price: the problem is you can only buy it in one standard length which is 2.6m I think. That's fine if the amount you need is just under a multiple of this, but if it's just over it effectively increases the cost by ~90%, 40%, 30% and so on depending on how many you need. We have a large offcut we'll probably use for a workbench.

It's interesting that you're oscillating between bamboo and granite/stone because they'll give a totally different feel to your kitchen. Bamboo or solid wood aren't cheap alternatives in the way that perhaps laminate is, they're just different choices. I'd recommend you decide exactly what look you're after because either way you'll be spending a bit...I wouldn't have thought it would be a price driven decision.

I'd avoid bamboo bench tops. They are almost all manufactured in China and they don't fair well over years of wear and tear and require maintenance. They don't like heat, water and aren't particularly hygienic, even when sealed.

The look will date badly too.

Bamboo benchtops looks to be a new product, as such, there is not enough information to see how viable it is. Give it time though... it looks like it will gain in popularity.

Originally Posted by arms

we were told that about asbestos as well and look where that led

... and we were told the same thing about vacuum formed vinyl doors!

Seriously, I hope bamboo works out. The big plus is that it is an environmentally sustainable product.

Originally Posted by phillta

We bought it from Bunnings and it was installed by our cabinet maker. We're very happy with it and have no issues at all. Regarding the price: the problem is you can only buy it in one standard length which is 2.6m I think. That's fine if the amount you need is just under a multiple of this, but if it's just over it effectively increases the cost by ~90%, 40%, 30% and so on depending on how many you need. We have a large offcut we'll probably use for a workbench.

It's interesting that you're oscillating between bamboo and granite/stone because they'll give a totally different feel to your kitchen. Bamboo or solid wood aren't cheap alternatives in the way that perhaps laminate is, they're just different choices. I'd recommend you decide exactly what look you're after because either way you'll be spending a bit...I wouldn't have thought it would be a price driven decision.

We are about to do the same - that is use the Bunnings bamboo bench tops. We however need a little more than 2 available lengths. Wondering if you have used your offcut for the work bench - or do you want to sell it on to us! We are in SA so transport may be a problem.

I just ordered new bamboo benchtops today, from a bamboo supplier in QLD (I'm NSW). The Bunnings ones look ok if the sizes work for you, but I would have had to buy almost double the surface area I actually needed - not cheap, would have been $1900 and then for me to do the cutting down myself or pay hundreds for someone else to. I just paid $1200 for two sheets cut to size and they're freighting the cut pieces and off-cuts to my door on the day of my choosing. Will have to wait and see whether it all works as planned, but so far I'm really happy.

From all the research I've done recently, bamboo is supposed to be good at coping with water, temperatures, scratches, etc. And you can always sand it back and resurface it if it's looking worn after a few years - could even resurface with a different coloured oil/varnish for a whole new look.

Sounds like your onto a good thing. I wonder who the Qld supplier is?

Here they are! Bit of plumbing and tiling still to do. More than happy to share the supplier info if I'm allowed?

hi esperanza

I would raise or the cooker to the same height as the bamboo will dry and split or burn in some cases

a large pan will spread the heat an amazing amount when the gas is on high

cheers eden

I picked up the sample piece in Bunnings and it was all scratched and dented.

Is bamboo a soft or hard wood?

Originally Posted by sstyln

Is bamboo a soft or hard wood?

It's a grass actually. Just not the sort you cut with the mower.

Originally Posted by Cecile

I believe there is a regulation that requires the cooktop to be 50mm above the benchtop.

It isn't 50mm, 10mm by my understanding according to this - http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/LinkClick....d=249&mid=1194
- certainly not 50mm below like Esperanza's installation though.

every time you do a cut with the saw etc , keep all the dust and save the sieved(flour sieve size is cool ) fines to mix with aquadhere EXTERNAL and make a filler putty/paste when needed (external, as it has water resisting properties)

cheers eden

(sand /scrape and presto)

Originally Posted by manofaus

how does that 10mm work for a in-bench top cooker?

They are made to sit the 10mm higher. The thickness of the base achieves this.

Tried googling it but couldn't find much except that there are all kinds of clearance requirements particular to induction cooktops. Did find below info in a Miele brochure. Don't know if it applies generally tho.

Flush fit cooktops are only suitable for installation in granite, marble, tiled or solid wood worktops. See "Building-in dimensions" to check which cooktop can be fitted into a glass worktop.
For all other worktop materials, consult the manufacturer whether they can be used with a flush-fit cooktop.

Originally Posted by esperanza

I just ordered new bamboo benchtops today, from a bamboo supplier in QLD (I'm NSW). The Bunnings ones look ok if the sizes work for you, but I would have had to buy almost double the surface area I actually needed - not cheap, would have been $1900 and then for me to do the cutting down myself or pay hundreds for someone else to. I just paid $1200 for two sheets cut to size and they're freighting the cut pieces and off-cuts to my door on the day of my choosing. Will have to wait and see whether it all works as planned, but so far I'm really happy.
From all the research I've done recently, bamboo is supposed to be good at coping with water, temperatures, scratches, etc. And you can always sand it back and resurface it if it's looking worn after a few years - could even resurface with a different coloured oil/varnish for a whole new look.

Any chance you could share the name of your supplier in Qld? I too need bigger than Bunning sells with its flat pack range.

Hi,

I am also a fan of bamboo and am interested in bamboo benchtops. I have had 2 x 2.5cm thick bamboo cutting boards for the past 5 1/2 years and you'd never know I'd put a knife to them. They do have a couple of stains so it may be that you'd want to be diligent about clean up. I expect they'd need oiling periodically. That's all I have.

Originally Posted by Flip Dover

Any chance you could share the name of your supplier in Qld? I too need bigger than Bunning sells with its flat pack range.

Joins in any wooden tops can be achieved using the sieved fine sawdust from the cuts to fill (with external aquedhere or similar water proof glue mixed to a thick paste) any gaps if you have them to achieve longer runs or masons mitre joins ( L shaped or 45 degree)

fill ,,, dry ,,,then blade scrape and sand back


I love Bamboo and think its a great surface

eden

( yes yes yes! I know Bamboo is a grass )

The company I work for has recently branched out into Bamboo Tops! They look great and are on par with timber on price and durability. They are a nicer look to those in Bunnings and we can do up to 4.2m long without joins.
Bamboo Benchtops |Laminate Kitchen Benchtops |Bamboo Kitchen Benchtops |Timber Kitchen Benchtops| Kitchen Doors and Cupboards
There are also answers to many other questions on the site.
I hope this helps.

hi bamboo tops

you have the cost for a full mitre but how much for the masons mitre mate and do you deliver to adelaide

cheers eden

Originally Posted by Eden

hi bamboo tops

you have the cost for a full mitre but how much for the masons mitre mate and do you deliver to adelaide

cheers eden

Hi Eden,

Mason mitre joins are the same cost as full mitres, but we do recommend that full mitres are used if possible as the finished product looks nicer with the grain meeting in the corner.

yeah , it is nice to have longer than 2.4 to play with

and it is a better look

nice stuff

eden

Bamboo slabs manufactured in China are usually treated with high levels of formaldehyde. The level of formaldehyde contained in these products generally exceeds Australian manufacturing standards.

Similiar problems also are contained within white board used in the kitchens manufactured in China.

Basically this is why I will not install kitchens manufactured in China.

Have read all the posts on this subject and I am wondering if there are any Bamboo users out there that have had a Bamboo Benchtop installed now for a long time. By this I mean around 5 years or more.

Originally Posted by bowenarrow

Have read all the posts on this subject and I am wondering if there are any Bamboo users out there that have had a Bamboo Benchtop installed now for a long time. By this I mean around 5 years or more.

I have my kaboodle kitchen bamboo benchtops installed for a couple of weeks now and to seal the benchtops I used the Feast Watson kitchen oil as recommended by Bunnings.
Really don't know if I am happy with this recommendation since I find the benchtops very high maintenance. I can't seem to put anything on there without leaving a permanent ring or mark. I had a bottle of red wine sitting on my benchtop for a couple of hours which left a red ring in the wood. I ended up using a creme cleanser (jif) to scrub the stain out, it did come out eventually. Also I made the mistake of emptying the dishwasher machine and putting some glasses straight onto the benchtop after briefly wiping them dry with a tea towel. It left permanent rings which don't come out even after re oiling. overall the oil does not evenly penetrate the wood leaving seemingly bare patches, which are very noticeable when you look sideways along the benchtops.
The oil does not seem to penetrate very well but everything else does, very frustrating! I contacted Feast Watson and they explained I could use a varnish instead but will have to re sand the benchtops first. All seems like more of a headache to me. Any body with similar problems or solutions??

I use outdoor furniture oil (tung oil) preferably one that has bees wax in it for clients bamboo benchtops, I have not had problems with this,

cheers eden

Originally Posted by Eden

I use outdoor furniture oil (tung oil) preferably one that has bees wax in it for clients bamboo benchtops, I have not had problems with this,

cheers eden

Hi Eden, Thanks heaps for that tip will try the one with beeswax in it!!