Bamboo is the fastest growing timber alternative

Under AS 1720.1 F-grade equivalents, engineered bamboo performs around F34 in compression and tension, on par with the strongest hardwood grades. In bending stiffness it sits closer to F7–F8, so deflection usually governs in flexural members. In practice it excels in axially loaded elements like posts, framing and bracing, and flexural members are sized for stiffness.

Yes, and this is where engineered bamboo does things timber struggles with. Laminated billets can be manufactured to curved geometry, from the sweeping ceiling beams at Amphora to curved acoustic battens produced from shop drawings for Chatswood Chase. Curves are custom manufactured, so allow for the bespoke lead time.

The engineered bamboo range carries a Group 3 fire rating tested to AS ISO 9705:2003, with a European classification of Bfl-s1 under EN 13501-1 on flooring products. Full fire test documentation is available in the technical data sheets on this page.

Scrimber (strand woven) bamboo is rated BAL-29, which covers cladding, decking and screening in most bushfire attack level zones short of BAL-40 and BAL-FZ. Talk to our technical team about the specific exposure on your site.

The manufacturing process includes thermal modification (carbonisation), which improves dimensional stability and moisture resistance, and the batten systems are designed for high UV and coastal humidity. Scrimber's density makes it the default choice for decking and exposed screening. Detailing still matters, as it does with any timber: our specification guide covers fixings, ventilation and end-sealing.

Laminated bamboo runs in continuous lengths up to 16 metres, well beyond standard sawn hardwood, with dimension flexibility from 10 mm up to 2,000 mm wide and 1,500 mm deep. Scrimber comes in standard lengths of roughly 1,860 to 2,500 mm, suited to flooring and decking profiles.

It varies by profile and finish, but engineered bamboo generally prices in the range of premium hardwoods rather than commodity softwoods. Where it wins on cost is often the whole package: long continuous lengths reduce joins and waste, prefabricated elements cut site labour, and stock lines ship direct from our Sydney warehouse. Send us your schedule and we'll quote it against your current specification.

Three verified EPDs published for Australasia covering laminated, structural and strand woven products, plus Global GreenTag GreenRate Level A with Platinum Health, FSC certification (FSC-N004917) and Red List Free status. All are downloadable from this page.

The EPDs provide evidence for NABERS embodied carbon ratings and Green Star credits including Upfront Carbon Reduction and Responsible Materials. The First Nations Building at Bradfield City Centre is using 1,059 m³ of engineered bamboo within a project targeting 6-Star Green Star.

The EPDs disclose the resins used, and the range holds Global GreenTag Platinum Health and Red List Free status, which assess exactly these questions. Bio-based adhesive options are currently in testing.

No. Laminated bamboo machines, fixes and finishes like a dense hardwood, so standard carpentry trades handle it. Scrimber is harder, so pre-drilling is standard practice. For complex geometry we prefabricate off-site to shop drawings, which reduces on-site cutting to a minimum.

Download our specification guide, Revit families for the Symphony, Dovetail, SeaChange and Flooring series, and technical data sheets. Our team can review your specification or substitution notes directly, plus we run AIA and AIBS-recognised CPD sessions if your practice wants the full grounding.

Much of the standard range is in stock at our Sydney warehouse and ships direct to site. Custom profiles, curves and prefabricated elements typically take 12 to 16 weeks from sign-off, so bring us in early on bespoke work.