Bamboo Fencing For Your Yard

Discover four different types of bamboo fencing that you can use in your yard.

Bamboo fencing is perfect whether you’ve decided to install a fence in your backyard or just want to update an existing fence. There is a wide variety of different types of bamboo materials available.

Which you choose will depend upon the look you are trying to achieve, the reason for the fence, and whether the bamboo is going to be used on a new or an existing fence.

Different types of bamboo are more suitable for some applications than others. Let’s take a look at some of the main types of bamboo fencing materials and where they are best used.

Bamboo Reed Fencing
A natural bamboo reed fence is a beautiful thing and sturdy to boot. Unlike other types of  reed fences, bamboo reed fencing has a naturally occurring waxy coating that repels moisture and prevents deterioration.

Rolled reed fencing is a great way to camouflage chain link fences. It sits flat against the chain linking to the point where you may not even notice there is chain link under it.

Reed sticks between ¼ inch and ¾ inch thick are woven together into uniform panels, often with vinyl coated wire, to prevent rusting. These rolled fences provide an opaque appearance, allowing some filtered light to pass through, which is wonderful for privacy fences.

For even greater privacy, you can double up on the rolls. Doubling up, makes it almost impossible for anyone to see through your fencing, while still allowing some subdued light to pass through.

Dense weave reed fences can also be used to create privacy screening for your deck or patio as well as to screen undesirable elements from view.

Rolled Bamboo Fencing
When used for fencing, rolled bamboo fencing is both durable and strong. It can last for close to twenty years when installed according to directions and maintained properly.

Rolled bamboo can actually be treated with a UV protectant as you would a wooden fence. Doing this will prevent the damage that can be caused when bamboo dries out and cracks.

Heavier rolls are stronger than you might think and are actually as sturdy as softwoods like cedar. That’s because these rolls are made with solid bamboo canes.

Rolled bamboo can be used over an existing wooden or chain link fence to change the look dramatically. But if you are installing a new fence, rolled bamboo can be used. It does need to be supported on a framework made out of wood. This frame can then be attached to wooden posts that are sunk into the ground. 

One advantage of using rolled bamboo fencing over reed fencing is that the rolled bamboo rolls can be trimmed to fit. Not all reed fencing is made to be trimmed.

Split Bamboo Fencing
Although not as long lasting as rolled bamboo which is made using whole pieces of cane, split bamboo fencing is still useful as a type of fencing material.

Split bamboo comes from only the outer section of bamboo. Because of that it is most often used where the weather tends to be moderate.

Split bamboo is often made into rolls with the pieces being joined together using galvanized wire. These rolls work really well on an existing fence because since the canes are split, they lie flat.

More often though, these canes are made into split bamboo fence panels. These can be mounted onto a wooden framework which is attached to fence posts that have been placed in the ground.

Using split bamboo on fencing creates a really striking look and can provide a focal point within your yard.

Bamboo Trellises
Although a bamboo trellis might not be considered a true fencing material, it can be used both functionally and decoratively in many places.

Bamboo trellises come in a wide variety of shapes and designs, from the traditional fan shaped, to arbor shaped, to expandable, and everything in between. You can even easily make your own, using bamboo canes in various dimensions. 

Trellises can be placed against a fence or a bare wall and used to train flowering vines and even vegetables like climbing peas and pole beans. They can also be used to support tomatoes and other plants in the garden. It can also be used as a stand-alone to separate one area from another.

Bamboo trellises have a rustic beauty and truly natural appearance. They can be utilized for anything from a bamboo wedding arbor, to a simple backdrop on a patio or wall of your house.

Whether you’re building a new fence or want to change the appearance of an older fence, bamboo fencing is sure to provide a unique, tropical look to your landscape.