Bamboo and High-Tech ! Bamboo Computer

Every little bit counts and if saving the planet is one of your passions then you might wish to consider these Bamboo LCD monitors.

Bamboo is a renewable resource and instead of your computer casings being made in plastic stuff that will last a thousand years (and then some) past its usefulness, at least a tiny part of the monitor will be recyclable and you’ll feel warm and fuzzy knowing you’re doing your bit for the planet and besides, what a great way to show what a caring individual you are.

Restoration, Refinishing and Coatings

Refinishing and coatings for wood and bamboo such as flooring and decking, with non-toxic products selected for their high quality and their eco-friendly feature.

Outdoor Decking - Before / After

 Restoration and refinishing of indoor and outdoor wooden furniture. 

Restoration - Refinishing Outdoor Furniture

Refurbishing of wooden shingles roof in Video

Discover our latest roof refurbishing in video :

In this case old teak wood roofs replaced by Canadian Cedar wood shingles/shackles.

 

Cutting of Cedar Shakes

Application of Felt on Cedar shingles

Application of Cedar shingles

Refurbishing of Cedar Roof - Before / After

How much cost a wooden roof ?

The roof is “prepared” truss and batten by the client or his contractor (Chalet & Bamboo can also offer this service)

1.- Red Cedar from Canada:

Our supplier is in Bangkok: Napawan Co., Ltd 
Cost:

Shingles price: ex Bangkok: about 1,200 THB / m²

Application charges by Chalet & Bamboo : 180 THB / m²

Accessories : Special water proofing felt, special nails(staples), edges and ridges etc… around 300 THB/m2

2.- Wooden roof from Thailand or Laos.

It's very durable. Treated with chemical substance. Its weight is 35 Kg per square meter. Weatherproof and can resist wind speed at 130 Mile per hour. 50 year warranted by our supplier ThaweePhan

Cost:

Prices for the shingles:

- Teak Wood: about 1,700 THB / m²

- Hard wood 35 cm x 5 inch: about 1,200 THB / m²

- Hard wood 35 x 4 inch: about 800 THB / m²

Application charges by Chalet & Bamboo : 180 THB / m²

Accessories : Special water proofing felt, special nails(staples), edges and ridges etc…around: 300 THB/m2

Chalet & Bamboo can also, on demand, prepare the roof, old or new.

Prices depend on type of roof (angle) old, new, etc…

Do not hesitate to contact us for a precise quotation.

Installation and Refurbishing of wooden shingles/shackles roof.

At Chalet & Bamboo, we do have the know-how and skills to make any wooden installation or refurbishing.

For example in this case old teak wood roofs replaced by Canadian Cedar wood shingles/shackles.

Refurbishing Cedar Roof

Only skilled and trained craftsmen are used in the application process, to deliver the highest possible quality ensuring that you get the longest possible service, with the least possible maintenance.

See more photos in gallery

Chalet & Bamboo provides ranges of services in Thailand

As we do have the know-how and skills, Chalet & Bamboo provides ranges of services in Thailand to top-class hotels, architects, construction companies and any other customers.

Those services include:

• Wooden refurbishing;
• Installation or refurbishing of wooden roof;
• Construction and rehabilitation of any structure in bamboo or wood;
• Refinishing and coatings for wood and bamboo with non-toxic products selected for their high quality and their eco-friendly feature such as flooring and decking;
• Restoration and refinishing of indoor and outdoor wooden furniture, flooring and decking;
• “Tadelakt” wall plaster finishes for Wall and SPA (anti fungus / anti bacteria):
  Tadelakt is an old lime tradition. It is waterproof wall coating lime plaster with spectacular appealing used on walls and in bathrooms. It is the noblest and most delicate of natural finishes.

Manufacture of “Opium” Bamboo Mat board

In the same principle as the flattened bamboo, stems should be split and then be flattened.

Zoom - Opium Bamboo Mat Board

The difference for “Opium” Bamboo Mat, the stem is split very carefully and fully to manufacture thin bamboo strips which are then drilled in their thickness and connected together by an invisible thread.
Traditionally, this mat used by opium smokers, they lay on the ground on the bamboo mat. The mat could be so completely rolled and unrolled for storage or travel. These mats have been intelligently designed to allow air to circulate under the body of the smoker to help him stay cool and comfortable while smoking.
Now considered a product of antiquity, these mats are very rare.
In partnership with a local company which patented the manufacturing process, we can provide you this unique product.
Arranged and pasted to be pressed on a “smart” board, a panel of synthetic fiber and cellulose (water resistant). “Opium” Bamboo Mat board has a slightly unique "grain" with a strikingly elegant appearance. Perfect for your indoor decorations.

Manufacture of flattened bamboo panels

Flattened Bamboo Board - Wall and Ceiling

To make panels flattened bamboo, the bamboo pole has to be flattened. It is crucial to use freshly cut stems.
The first step is to break all the nodes of the bamboo stalk and along its entire periphery. This is done entirely by hand using a knife or hatchet. Then the interior knots are completely split to facilitate manual opening of the stem. The bamboo is then opened and flattened.

The interior nodes are then removed.
It is this stage that flattened bamboo stalks receive preventive treatment against fungi and insects and then dried.
Once dried, flattened bamboo will be planed to make flat surfaces. They will then be sized, arranged and be glued and pressed on a “smart” board made of synthetic fibers and cellulose (water resistant).
These panels, with very pronounced nodes make this material a very distinctive rugged looking element, and are ready for walls and ceilings.

Manufacture of woven bamboo plywood

In the same way as for the bamboo flooring, the bamboo pole to the manufacture of woven bamboo plywood, is cut lengthwise to desired length, the outer knots are removed and the poles are split or sawn into slats, the internal knots are removed and the slats are then planed.

The green outer skin is removed by planing.

It is at this stage that the slats will receive preventive treatment against fungi and insects.

The strips are then dried.

Zoom - Woven Bamboo Plywood

After drying, the slats are cut into thin strips. These are calibrated and weaved to form single sheet. After gluing, the panels are pressed at high temperature.

Several sheets of woven bamboo can be pressed to one another under high temperature until the required thickness of plywood. A part from its decorative aspect, board of woven bamboo plywood is stronger and more flexible than ordinary plywood. Woven bamboo plywood offers no deformation under the action of water or changing temperatures. This is not the case with the regular plywood made from wood.

These panels of woven bamboo plywood are also very effective as a concrete form.

Reuse is 3 times higher than regular plywood (for the same thickness and same quantity of concrete).

Manufacture of Strand Woven Bamboo

Unlike other bamboo products, if the bamboo is used for making Strand Woven Bamboo, all species and sizes of bamboo can be used since the plant is mature. However, it is important to begin manufacturing within the days following of harvest.

Outdoor Strand Woven Bamboo Decking

The outer knots are removed and the pole is split into slats, the interior knots are removed and the slats are then planed.

Indeed, it is necessary to remove the outer skin and the knots inside that are not appropriate in the manufacturing process: The protective skin of the bamboo is too fat and the internal knots are too soft.

The slats are then cut into strands. More the strands of bamboo are thinner, more the finished product will be better.

The strands of bamboo are then treated by boiling in an antifungal and insecticide solution (for natural color) or carbonized (for the color of coffee).

The strands are then dried. After drying, they are dipped in glue. This process ensures that the glue is linked to the strands of bamboo.

The strands are prepared together in a mold and are press under very high pressure at high temperature.

This process results in a solid bamboo board that is almost twice the density of regular bamboo flooring. In terms of sustainability, high density created by this process allows Strand Woven Bamboo to be used in exterior and appropriate for use in high traffic public spaces.

The density of Strand Woven Bamboo is very important up to 1200 kg / m3.

One advantage of this method is that it produces no waste, indeed all of the bamboo plant and the small pieces can be used when only the biggest part of the stem of bamboo can be used for traditional solid hardwood floor.

This means that Strand Woven Bamboo are not only more sustainable, but could be considered more environmentally friendly than other types of bamboo flooring.

Rather than losing the wastes of bamboo in the process of making slats for flooring, they are immediately recycled by Strand Woven Bamboo.

Manufacturing of bamboo flooring:

Horizontal Bamboo Flooring

If the bamboo is to be used to manufacture flooring, the external knots are removed and the pole is split or sawn into slats, the interior knots are then removed and the slats are then planed.

The green outer skin is removed by planing.

It is at this stage that the slats will receive the preventive treatment against fungi and insects.

The slats of bamboo can be kept clear in their original color, or they may be colored in an autoclave oven at high temperature, it is the process of carbonization.

The slats are then dried.

The slats are again planed, calibrated and sorted according to their colors in order to homogenize the tint of the future floorboards.

The bamboo slats are glued at high pressure and high temperature, with an environmentally adhesive conforms to the standard E1.

The bamboo slats are pressed next to each other horizontally. This produces a panel or board having the characteristics of bamboo nodes (called here plain pressed or Horizontal)

Or, instead of being pressed to the horizontal sections can also be pressed laterally onto the edge. The panel then has finer lines and nodes of the bamboo are slightly less visible (in this case side pressed or Vertical).

The resulting panels are sanded and cut to the required dimensions for floor boards, panels, accessories.

Then the final step is to make the tongues and grooves.

A final quality control is performed during packaging.

Density of bamboo flooring is 750 kg / m3.

Do you know how we manufacture our Bamboo products?

There are different stages of processing bamboo according to the final product that is desired:
The havest of the bamboo culm.
From the plant to the bamboo poles or fence.

Harvesting:

All products are made from carefully selected bamboo. The bamboo must be mature to provide the best strength, stability and durability.

Therefore, great attention should be paid to the location where bamboo is grown and how it is harvested. Determine the origin and age of bamboo is very important to ensure the right hardness and color.

The sugar content in almost all plants varies with the seasons. The dry season is the period of dormancy. During this period, the bamboo plant uses its nutrient reserves for the next growing season, sugar content and moisture content is lower, which reduces the chances of insect attack and the possibility of further cracking.

During the rainy season, starch and moisture content in the bamboo is higher. It is also the time when new shoots emerge and culling operations could damage or destroy the shoots. It is therefore not recommended to harvest the bamboo during the rainy season.

In a bamboo plant, only the main stem of bamboo is used for our products.
The bamboo is cut lengthwise to desired length.

Bamboo Pole for building:

If the stem of bamboo is to stay as pole for construction or to make fences, the knots will be drilled to facilitate infiltration of the solution for preservation treatment against insects and fungi in the stem.
Immediately afterwards, we will proceed to treatment. It is a very important step to ensure the sustainability of our products.
It is important to treat bamboo within a few days after harvest to prevent insect attacks.

In this regard, the season of harvest is also important as we have seen above.

After treatment, the poles are dried.

Following in a forthcoming article or on our webiste 

Other alternatives methods of bamboo's treatment

Treatment in boiling linseed oil / oleo-thermal process:
The culms or slats of bamboo are soaked in linseed oil heated to between 100 and 120 ° C.
The treatment of bamboo by oleo-thermal process is to our knowledge not developed mainly due to the excessive cost of energy to boil the oil in large basins.

Thermo-treatment:
The principle of the process is to heat the bamboo in an autoclave at a temperature high enough (for bamboo between 150 and 200 ° C), in anoxic condition and to regularly inject steam to avoid the bamboo to ignite. Bamboo is "cooked" in some way and stabilized while remaining solid. Its ability to absorb water is reduced by half.

The technique thermo-treatment of bamboo is an alternative to preservative treatment with use of insecticides and chemicals. However, heating the bamboo at high temperatures makes it stable and virtually rot-proof. It thus makes naturally resistant to borers, termites, fungi and moisture.

Vacuum High Temperature

Bamboo products treated by this method can also be used as a structural element of a building. But bamboo from thermo-treated tends to reduce strength and flexibility, and their implementation in structure requires special precautions (such as use of larger section).
They are also ideal for flooring, decks, exterior, siding etc.

The bamboo processing under high temperatures is to our knowledge not yet developed. Chalet & Bamboo seriously considers this method of treatment but requires a significant investment.

Treatment of bamboo with limewater

What is Lime?
Lime has been known for centuries in the sector of buildings. After several decades when it fell into disuse, lime now finds again a new interest particularly in connection with renovation of old buildings.
Lime is a 100% natural since it consists only of stones fired at very high temperatures.

Strictly, it is an oxide of calcium with varying oxide magnesium but the common name of lime can encompass various chemical states of this product.
The quicklime is the direct product of pyrolysis of limestone, mainly of calcium oxide (CaO).
The lime or slaked lime is obtained by the reaction of quicklime with water. It consists mainly of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).
Other forms of lime have common applications in agriculture and gardening, including dolomic lime containing magnesium and hydrated lime.

What are the properties of lime?
- Natural product
- Healthy and Green
- Antiseptic
- Antifungal
- Disinfectant
- Antistatic
- Protection against insects - Insect Repellent
- Good thermal and sound insulation
- Anti-humidity excellent adaptation to changes in temperature and freezing
- Apply to walls: Great diffusing capacity (let the walls breathe)
- An excellent fire retardant.

In terms of ecology, the lime does not contain any product of petroleum chemistry. Lime residues can even be composted.

Bamboo culm ready to be treated

Healthily, lime contains no formaldehyde or VOCs and no other allergen product. With its antistatic properties, the amount of dust is minimized. Moreover it is naturally antifungal and is ideal for wet rooms. Lime is recommended for people suffering from allergies, from various sensitivities and, of course, for anyone concerned about his health.

Given these many properties of lime, and aiming to provide a 100% eco-friendly and non-toxic treatment for our bamboo, Chalet & Bamboo has developed a unique method of treatment with “lime water”.

How is the water lime treatment?
To prepare lime water, we mix the lime (slaked lime) with water. It is sparsely soluble, it is necessary to stir the mixture for some time. This step results in a white solution called milk of lime, which is a suspension of calcium hydroxide particles in water.
To eliminate the unsolved lime in suspension, we proceed to a decantation of the milk of lime for 24 hours. As a result we obtain the lime water, a clear solution.

Lime Water

Lime water is the common name for saturated calcium hydroxide solution (Ca (OH) 2)
In contact of carbon dioxide (CO2) it will form calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which can be seen as a white film on the surface of the lime water.

Once limewater ready, it is transferred by gravity into the basin where we placed the bamboo to be treated. Bamboos are impregnated with lime water by soaking for one week.
As with borax, it is important to perform this treatment on freshly cut bamboo. Indeed, unlike wood, bamboo undergoes anatomical changes and begins to shrink once it begins to lose water.

Sap in the vessels is precipitated, clogging the openings to the adjacent tissues. This reduces the treatability of bamboo and therefore the diffusion of preservative agents in the cells of bamboo.

Chemical Bamboo treatment methods

Chemical preservatives are used to protect bamboo products from degradation. These are well established methods providing good protection even in adverse conditions.

Tanalised method - chromated copper arsenate (CCA):

As for wood, bamboo products are often tanalised, impregnated under pressure or by boiling with highly toxic substances such as chromated copper arsenate (CCA) to protect against rot.

Pressure-Vacuum

The CCA has been very effective but very toxic and carcinogenic.

Other products are used as "ammoniacal copper arsenate" or ACA. Ammoniac facilitating penetration in bamboo or wood makes this product effective against fungi, bacteria and insects.

Ammoniac and copper components are highly and eco-toxic non-degradable. They therefore pose problems in end of life of the product.

Due to these toxins, it is advised that not to burn tanalised products, since arsenic (which is a poison) is immediately released into the ambient atmosphere.



Chemical Treatment by boiling

 Since the 1990s, this product is prohibited gradually increasing number of countries and a growing number of uses.

Unfortunately, these products are still widely used in some bamboo factories without much consideration.

Treatment of Bamboo with Boric acid / Borax

The preservative used is a mixture of boric acid and borax which result in the formation of disodium octaborate, which is easily soluble in water. Boron salts are effective against borers, termites and fungi (except soft rot fungi), and is widely recognized to be environmentally acceptable and safe for the mammals.

These boron salts are dissolved in water. After treatment, the water evaporates leaving the salts inside the bamboo. Boron salt is non-fixing type, that is, the preservative is leachable. Therefore this process is recommended for bamboo culms that would not be exposed to water or rain.

Borax/boric acid seem to be non toxic to the environment, but is highly saline, and little is known environmental toxicity.
However, as it has a fungicide and insecticide action that suggests it would not be environmentally neutral in case of major pollution.

It is mildly toxic to humans. Simple exposure can cause respiratory and skin irritation; ingestion may cause gastrointestinal distress including nausea, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

There are various way methods of treatment of bamboo.
- Bamboo could be impregnated under pressure in autoclave or by boiling.
- Bamboo could be soak in a solution in an open basin for several days (for slats) until one week if bamboo culms.
- Or by using the “boucherie” method.
However, in all cases, borax/boric acid diffuse better into bamboo when bamboo is moist i.e. in the green condition.

The products made with treated bamboo with borax are not toxic. However treated bamboo must not be burned, as the gases of such a fire are toxic.

There is a debate either the boric acid / borax is toxic or not.

Bassin of Borax solution

Boric acid / borax has low toxicity to humans through ingestion or inhalation. Median lethal dose (LD50) rating of 2,660 mg/kg body mass for man. Boric acid is poisonous if taken internally or inhaled in large quantities. It is generally considered to be not much more toxic than table salt. Some ethnic groups use it however as a food additive. However in some countries it is requested to farmers and restaurateurs not to use it because of unacceptable risk to consumer health.

In France, the boron content should not exceed 1 milligram per litre according to health standard for drinking water.

At high concentrations it is irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract where short exposure but may have effects on the kidney in cases of prolonged or repeated exposure.
The European Community decided to amend its classification as repro-toxic category 2 and to apply the risk phrases R60 (may impair fertility) and R61 (may cause harm to the unborn child).

Therefore, if it is said that borax and boric acid is already a more environmentally friendly as well as an efficient way to preserve bamboo, it is sure that it should be used carefully by operators with safety precaution.

Traditional (or non-chemical) methods of Bamboo Treatment

These are ancient methods widely used for centuries by villagers and artisans in countries where bamboo grows, and often the skills are passed on from generation to generation.
The most commonly methods used are smoking, white-washing, storage in water.

Smoking:

Bamboo treated by smoking

Smoking is carried out in chambers. Heat and toxic agents produced by smoke destroy the starch in bamboo making it immune to insect attack and also blackens the culms.

There are, in Japan, bamboo houses older than 100 years. The smoke from the kitchen (fireplace without chimney) spreads throughout the house and thus preserves the bamboo structure from any attack.

Baking over open fire:

Bamboo culms are baking over fire after applying oil on the surface of green round bamboos. This causes rapid drying of the outer shell and induces partial charring and decomposition of starch and other sugars. This method is very useful for simultaneous straightening of bamboos in round form.

White washing:
Bamboo culms are painted with slaked lime, thereby prolonging their lifespan by delaying and reducing the absorption of moisture while being a repellent against insects.

Soaking in water:

Bamboo soaking into runing water

 Freshly cut bamboo is stored either in water ponds or in running water for 3-4 weeks to leach out starch. This process protects the bamboo against insects. When stored in water basins, water must be changed frequently to avoid fouling.


Although traditionally treated bamboo shows increased resistance to insects and fungi attack compare to the freshly cut culms, these methods do not however provide complete satisfaction in the long term.

Why is it important to treat bamboo?

Preservation treatment methods of bamboo are of 2 types: the traditional or non-chemical methods and chemical methods.
Others alternatives methods are rarely used, Chalet & Bamboo has developed a 100% eco-friendly method with lime-water.

The choice of treatment method will depend on the state of bamboo, whether it is green or dry, whether whole cane or split, its future application, quantity to be treated and the time available.

Why is it important to treat bamboo?

The natural durability of bamboo is lower than for wood and in most cases it is not long enough for an economic lifetime.
The lifetime of an untreated bamboo can vary between 1 and 15 years depending on conditions, depending on variety, if it is in contact with water and soil, under cover, humidity etc.Due to the absence of any toxic substances, bamboo represents a ready source of food to various organisms. The presence of starch in the green or dry bamboo makes it attractive to such organisms, especially fungi and insects as borer beetles.

I do not mention here the human who also appreciates bamboo in Asian dishes but when the bamboo is in the form of shoots. As the panda that eats bamboo plant in forest but other varieties that the one we use for construction.

Bamboo is therefore subject to attack by fungi (rot, only when moist) and insects (beetles and termites). To avoid these, the bamboo must be treated. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to treat bamboo because the external skin of the bamboo is very compact and the vessels through which any solution could be injected cover only about 10 percent of the cross-section of a culm.

How to treat bamboo?

Preservation treatment methods of bamboo are of 2 types: the traditional or non-chemical methods and chemical methods.
Others alternatives methods are rarely used, Chalet & Bamboo has developed on 100% eco-friendly method.

The choice of treatment method will depend on the state of bamboo, whether it is green or dry, whether whole cane or split, its future application, quantity to be treated and the time available.

Our Claim

Save the Planet, Use Bamboo

‘To Build our Houses, we do not cut Trees, we cut Grass…’

It was developed on the basis of our economical, ecological and social responsibility. As a company we see ourselves as an integral part of all three areas. We aim to make positive impacts with our products, our people, our behaviour and our operations. It is not just complying with rules and legislation, but to do more. This is something which is in our hearts.

Economic responsibility
Several innovations, from very old customs, bring us to produce sustainable products and prove that our efforts to protect the environment and economic success can go hand in hand.

Environmental responsibility
Chalet & Bamboo follows several ideas to optimize the ecological impact of its products, treatment and finishing. Products are created and improved in terms of their ecological impact throughout the entire product life cycle.

Social responsibility
Respect of Human rights:
In all our production stages, basic principles of Human rights Chart and ethical labour are enforced and respected.

Our Mission

To be socially and ecologically responsible while also being economically successful.

This principle of sustainability is the guideline Chalet & Bamboo uses for long-term strategic, as well as day-to-day, decisions and activities.
It is also a fundamental part of our company's commitments.

• Serving customers and the environment by delivering sustainable products, while respecting the environment in our manufacturing processes.
• Being in tune with people’s present needs while respecting future generations’ requirements.
• Being socially responsible towards communities and societies while respecting our employees’ needs in terms of working environment and fair treatment.

For us, sustainability is important: it combines social, economic and environmental. We see it as an opportunity to differentiate ourselves in a competitive market and to help shape and improve the quality of life for people, communities and countries in a sensitive and responsible manner.

Why Thailand?

With our company in Thailand, we can produce smaller quantities and response to your specific demand with assurance that no harmful product is used in treatment, gluing, coating, etc…  

Read more.

Welcome to Chalet & Bamboo

To build a house: we don't cut trees, we cut grass...

Save the planet, Use Bamboo! 

We manufacture of environmentally friendly building materials made from bamboo.

Our Products are suitable for various applications such as interior decoration, siding, architectural projects and we supply worldwide.

Read more...