Bamboo veneer

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Author Message Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1716 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 02:58 pm:    Anyone have new information regarding bamboo veneer? We're using it extensively in two projects; one under construction is having difficulties with matching - something like "it's a real mess" (at least that's what I've been told). Consequently, the designer for the new project wants to be sure we don't have the same problems. I'm doing the best I can - large samples for initial selection, verification samples from the same batch, mock-ups, single source, harvesting older growth, 3 approved manufacturers. 1. What else can I do? 2. Anything new you've heard? Thanks! Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 614 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 03:03 pm:    This is not the answer you want, but, inform the designoid that bamboo is a product of nature. Hence what you see is what you get. Like stone and wood species. It is not photographic veneer. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1717 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 03:10 pm:    Yeah, we're aware of that...just want some consistency between wall panels, millwork, doors, and some lab casework. Pretty much what you'd want if you were specifying wood veneer; same species, same log, same cut and matching (although matching may not be as critical). ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 637 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 03:11 pm:    Amen Wayne! Lynn, the best resource I've been able to find for Bamboo finishing has been Smith & Fong - http://www.plyboo.com/. I do not recall the name of the person I worked with there, but he was very knowledgeable and very helpful. Of course if you're not using his product you may want to emphasize that this is for your next project. I will also try to reach out to my former firm and see how they're progressing with the bamboo veneer systems we specified extensively for a university project. My guess is that they're not to the interior finishes yet, but I'll ask. I presume that you opted for shop finishing, not field finishing. It sounds like you're dealing more with wall (maybe ceiling, furniture, and other) panels as opposed to flooring and base. Is that accurate? My understanding is that there may be times (possibly more with flooring) that field finishing can be preferred. Good luck! Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1718 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 03:50 pm:    I've gleaned information from Smith & Fong, Kirei, and Teragren. All 3 are in the spec, although I'm not sure all can provide FSC bamboo. (whether that makes sense is another topic). And yes, shop finished. It's natural, so not stained. Flooring is the only place we're not using it - yet. But it's all veneer. Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 225 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 03:57 pm:    Lynn, I tend to specify Smith & Fong and Teragren also for this reason. I think the larger, more established manufacturers are more likely to be able to match panels between walls, floors, and casework. Best practice is probably to require single sourcing and coordinated submittals. As we all know, great spec language doesn't necessarily translate into great work. - Ronald L. Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 1158 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 04:10 pm:    Excuse my ignorance, since I'm not an expert in LEED or sustainable design, but isn't bamboo a grass? Why would you need FSC certification for a non-wood material (except for the substrate, of course)? Ron Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1719 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 04:11 pm:    Done that - all veneer will be speced in one section and the other 3 will reference back to that. Definitely single sourcing! Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1720 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 04:14 pm:    Sigh...yes, hence my thought about re-titling the section to "Grass Veneered Panels". BUT, the Forest Stewardship Council, in its infinite wisdom (and efforts to get more financial advantages, perhaps), has granted bamboo - a grass - an FSC certification label. Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 691 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 05:52 pm:    This should work. http://bit.ly/1aPJl8b J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 631 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 01:41 pm:    Sheldon; that is plastic laminate! Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 692 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2013 - 06:23 pm:    Yep, but it takes care of all those matching problems! spiper (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, November 04, 2013 - 12:07 pm:    In an effort to avoid the matching problem we have utilized stranded bamboo which is somewhat easier to control since some of the variable "nature" is taken out. The stranded is also stronger in some ways which may or may not be an advantage. Admittedly we have usually run into this on flooring installations so the stranded advantages justified the change. The obvious downside is you loose the 'knuckles' in the bamboo which may very well be the designer's reason for using the bamboo to begin with but it is worth considering. (if it has not already been considered and disregarded) Steve Taylor New member Username: stevektaylor Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2013 Posted on Thursday, November 07, 2013 - 07:23 pm:    I have talked to all three of the manufacturers named above at one time or another, and none of them will guarantee matching color or grain. The one time I used bamboo (many years ago) we came up short one panel at the end of the job, and the replacement was quite different. I don't know if we were just lucky with the first order, or if panels from the same batch are likely to be compatible.