Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBamboo Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Bamboo is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameHundreds of species among dozens of genera from the Poaceae (grass) family (Many timber-producing bamboos are from the Phyllostachys and Bambusa genera)
Janka hardness1,410 lbf
Average dried weight31 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Bamboo?
Bamboo is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Most timber-producing bamboos are from south Asia. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, paper, flooring, fishing rods, ladders, scaffolding, musical instruments (flutes/woodwinds/chimes), furniture, window blinds, carving, turned items, and small novelty items
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameHundreds of species among dozens of genera from the Poaceae (grass) family (Many timber-producing bamboos are from the Phyllostachys and Bambusa genera)
DistributionMost timber-producing bamboos are from south Asia
ShrinkageDiameter: 10-16%, Wall Thickness: 15-17%
DurabilityBamboo used in exterior conditions is perishable, and will deteriorate in a matter of years.
Bamboo colour, grain, and figure
Expect generally a uniform and pale yellow to almost white. Live bamboo that has been left standing too long frequently develops fungal decay, discoloring the wood with brown or black streaks and patches.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: being a monocot in the grass family, bamboo does not have any sapwood/heartwood or growth rings. Texture is very uniform, and ranges from medium to fine depending on density.
Working notes
In the shop, by woodworking standards, bamboo can be different . It is not necessarily difficult to work with, but depending on the species, it may require some special care.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, bamboo has been reported to cause skin irritation.
Bamboo should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Bamboo
Best projects
Veneer, paper, flooring, fishing rods, ladders, scaffolding, musical instruments (flutes/woodwinds/chimes), furniture, window blinds, carving, turned items, and small novelty items
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Bamboo from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Bamboo FAQ
What is Bamboo best used for?
Bamboo is best considered for veneer, paper, flooring, fishing rods, ladders, scaffolding, musical instruments (flutes/woodwinds/chimes), furniture, window blinds, carving, turned items, and small novelty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Bamboo beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Bamboo?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.