About Bamboo Blinds

Sustainable Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the most sustainable resources being used in homes today. With the concerns of global warming many eco-conscious consumers have opted for a more “earth smart” way to furnish their homes. Bamboo blinds offer a stylish way to enhance your decor with the satisfaction of knowing that you’re doing your part to give back. But what makes bamboo such an attractive “earth smart” alternative to hardwood blinds?

Bamboo and Maturity
Let’s start with the amount of time it takes for hardwood trees to reach maturity. Many of us have an oak tree or a maple tree sitting in the back yard that has been there for years, from year to year it seems like it barely grows. In fact it will take an oak tree 80 – 120 years before it will reach maturity. When you compare this to bamboo, which takes just five to seven short years to mature, the obvious choice is bamboo. It can take well over a hundred years to replace a hardwood forest after it has been logged but only takes a few short years to regenerate a bamboo forest. With this being said bamboo is considered to be the fastest growing plant on earth, at times measured to grow over 48 inches in a single day and can grow to full height in a single growing season. Bamboo blinds offer an affordable solution to deforestation in North and South America.

Bamboo and the Atmosphere
By choosing bamboo blinds you are choosing to reduce your carbon footprint, literally. It has been estimated by the World Wild Fund that an acre of bamboo can store 6.88 metric tons of carbon per year. In comparison that’s 70% more than an acre of hardwoods. When the bamboo is used in flooring and household furnishings a treatment is applied that locks in the carbon for decades, not allowing it to escape into the atmosphere. Another fact that will help you breathe a little easier is that a bamboo plant can give off 35% more oxygen than a hardwood tree, providing a further benefit to you and the atmosphere.

Be Delighted
So if you are a responsible eco-conscious consumer, bamboo blinds are a great alternative to hardwood blinds. Bamboo grows ten times faster than hardwood and provides a much cleaner atmosphere and environment. Now you can breathe a fresh breath of air every time you enjoy your new bamboo blinds and be delighted that you made an “earth smart” selection.

By reading this article you will gain a wealth of information about bamboo and your new bamboo blinds. We are going to cover questions like: What is bamboo? Where does bamboo grow? What was bamboo used for in earlier cultures and what it is used for today? You will see your new bamboo blinds in a whole new light.

What is bamboo?
First lets chat a little bit about what bamboo is. Bamboo is a wood-like grass that grows on many different continents. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world and can grow at speeds of over 2 feet a day. It prefers being close to water but not in the water, like dipping your toes but not your ankles. The growing season is in the spring and usually lasts any where from 40 to 60 days. At this point the bamboo reaches it’s mature height and girth growing from one foot to well over sixty-five feet depending on the variety. It still will be another four to seven years before the bamboo is made into your bamboo blinds as the grasses inside the stalk keep growing to provide a stronger more durable “wood”.

Where does bamboo grow?
Many consumers may be surprised to find that bamboo is not only native to Asia but species can also be found in North and South America, Australia, India and sub-Sahara Africa. Areas you will not find native bamboo include Canada, Europe and Antarctica.

A Little History…
In Asian cultures, the bamboo plants have been long known to have a certain enchantment about them. In order to ward off evil spirits the ancient Japanese people would put bamboo blinds on their windows and doorways. In India bamboo means friendship and in China it is seen as a symbol of long life.

Bamboo has had many uses over the last several centuries and was central to life in many cultures. Bamboo was used to build houses, furniture, window blinds, woven mats, sandals and clothing. It was also used in the construction of boats and bridges. In fact one such bridge in the Qian-Xian area of China is believed to have stood for over 2000 years, since before the time of Christ. Humans and animals also used bamboo shoots as a nutritious food source. Giant Pandas are still munching on bamboo today…

Modern Bamboo
In today’s modern world the list of uses for bamboo continues to grow. Not only are people using bamboo window blinds in their homes, they are using bamboo bed sheets, bamboo flooring, bamboo fencing, bamboo bath towels and of course bamboo clothing. Bamboo is often referred to as the most resourceful plant on earth and a will be a thriving player in the new “greener” planet we live on. Take part in this movement and shop the many bamboo products available online to you today, including bamboo blinds for your home.

Your new bamboo blinds have just arrived and you can’t wait to see how they look on your windows. Let’s get started on how to install bamboo blinds.

The Tools
You will be using basic household tools for the installation of your blinds. Start by getting a chair or stepstool, measuring tape, pencil, a cordless or electric drill, a philips and flat head screwdriver and safety goggle are always a great idea. Included in the bamboo blinds box will be the mounting brackets as well as the appropriate screws. At this point you will want to verify that all the parts are included in your bamboo blinds box. You will find a list of all these parts included, check each part off as you verify it. This simple task will save you a lot of aggravation if you are missing a bracket or a screw.

Remove Old Window Blinds
Many blinds will install exactly the same as the ones you will be replacing. Remove the window coverings from the brackets. Unscrew all brackets, being careful not to strip any holes as they can sometimes be reused.

Inside Mounted Bamboo Blinds
Using an inside mount for your new bamboo blinds will give you a cleaner look as well as make your widow appear smaller. You will start by holding the top of the blind just inside the top corners of the window frame. Center the blinds allowing an equal amount of space on each side, using your pencil make marks on the outside edge of he blinds. You will now make another mark about 1/8 inch outside the first mark. This is the line that you will use to install your brackets. Hold the brackets up to this second line and make a pencil mark where the screws will be placed, you will want to verify that both brackets are square with each other, equal distance from the window and the outside window frame. If you have existing holes in the vicinity you may use these without drilling new ones. Choose your drill bit depending on the size of screw you will be using and drill holes on the two pencil marks. Screw your brackets into place. Large bamboo blinds will require brackets in the center. Align these brackets, make pencil marks, verify that the location will not interfere with the movement of the blinds, drill holes and screw into place. Now that you have the brackets installed you can place your bamboo blinds into the brackets, secure them and your done.

Outside Mounted Bamboo Blinds
Outside mounts are easier than inside mounts and they will also make your windows look larger. You will want to start by centering the top of the blind above the window. Make pencil marks on each end, make another mark about an 1/8 of an inch out side the first mark. This will allow your blind to have room and keep them from being too tight. Hold the brackets up to these marks and make pencil hole where you will be inserting the screws. You will want to measure that the brackets are equal distance from the floor. Drill holes and screw the brackets into place. You may also need to install center brackets depending on the size of your bamboo blinds. Now that you have the brackets installed you can place your bamboo blinds into the brackets, secure them and your done.

Bonus Tip:
If you find that the screw holes are stripped you can repair them by using wood glue and a toothpick. Dip the toothpick in the glue, insert into hole and break off, depending on the size of the hole you may need to repeat a few times.