Fencing With Bamboo

Fencing with bamboo is one of the easiest ways of building a fence. Find out how to install different types of bamboo fencing in your yard.

Bamboo is a quick growing tropical grass which is weather resistant and exceptionally strong. These qualities along with its warm, soft color make bamboo an unusual and excellent fencing material. Fencing with bamboo may be just the thing to create a sturdy and unique area in your yard.

The best uses for bamboo fencing are to define spaces within an area, and to provide privacy. Bamboo fences or gates can add an Asian flavor to backyard landscaping or to a pond or water garden. With so many different variations in color, size and tone, you can create a truly one of a kind space.

You may be surprised to find out that bamboo fences are actually stronger than some kinds of wooden fences, and if installed and maintained properly may well outlast many wood fences.

Generally, bamboo fencing is available in either rolls or panels, but you can use single pieces of bamboo as well.

Rolled bamboo fencing has individual bamboo stakes that are held together with wire that is woven between the stakes. Rolls come in a variety of lengths and widths and can be trimmed to fit.

Bamboo fence panels are sections of bamboo stakes that may be attached in one of two ways. Some panels have stakes which are stapled to horizontal rails. Other panels are woven together with fine wire and then these sections are attached to poles at both ends.

The standard size for bamboo fencing is in the range of a height of 6 feet and a length of 6 to 8 feet. But you can find other heights and lengths.

Installation of Bamboo Fencing
Installing a bamboo fence is not much different from installing other types of fencing.  You will need to set posts in post holes, just as you would with a wooden fence. Pressure treated lumber or cedar poles look best with bamboo, although metal posts can be used. You cannot use bamboo as posts.

Once your posts have set, build a frame out of wood to go from post to post, across the top and bottom, as well as across the middle. Screw or nail these rails to the posts securely.

These rails form the frame that you will use to install your bamboo panels or rolls of bamboo. So it’s important that this frame fits the dimensions of the bamboo fencing you are using.

Installing Bamboo Panels
Bamboo panels can be either screwed or wired, to attach them to the fence frame. It’s not a bad idea to use a combination of both screws and wires for added strength. Generally, it’s enough to attach at the posts but you could use wire in the middle of the panel as well.

You will want to use 2-1/2 or 3 inch deck screws at top, middle and bottom on each end. Loop stainless steel wire through a few strands of the bamboo and then go around the posts, tightening as snugly as possible.

Installing Rolled Bamboo
If you are installing rolled bamboo, you may be using screws or wire, depending upon what is recommended by the manufacturer.

Start by tacking one end of the rolled bamboo to a post and then unroll the remainder of the roll and tack this end to the farther post. Before permanently attaching the rolled bamboo, be sure it runs straight from end to end, with no dips or sags. 

Then beginning at one end, adjust the height if necessary, and permanently fasten the rolled bamboo to the post. Pull it tightly as you go along so there are no gaps. You may be using a fastener at fixed intervals along the entire length. Re-adjust your fastening at the far end before permanently fixing the roll. 

When you're fencing with bamboo it's easy to create a beautiful and unique outdoor space you can enjoy and be proud of.