Different Types of Bamboo and Their Uses in Construction

Dendrocalamus asper, or Bambu Petung as it’s known here in Bali, is a tropical and subtropical clumping bamboo that is native to Southeast Asia. Petung is the largest species of bamboo we use and can reach up to 30 meters in height, with diameters of up to 20 centimeters. Its strength, height, straight culms, and thick walls make it a great material for construction. Petung is used in most of our buildings, especially for reciprocal towers and columns. A distinct feature of Bambu Petung is the small golden-brown hairs visible on the lower nodes of the culms, which can help us to identify it. There is also a black version of this species, Dendrocalamus asper f. niger, which adds an elegant look to a bamboo building.

Gigantochloa apus, known as Bambu Tali in Bali, is another popular species used in bamboo construction. This tropical clumping bamboo is native to Southeast Asia and can grow up to 30 meters tall, with an average height between 8 and 22 meters. With its culms having a diameter of 4 to 13 centimeters, Bambu Tali’s light, medium-sized poles are very useful in construction projects. This species is highly flexible and can also be used to make bamboo ropes, this being very useful in the construction process. In fact ‘Tali’ actually means rope in the Bahasa Indonesia language. Bambu Tali is known for its long fibers and minimal tapering compared to other bamboo species. Due to its thin-walled culms, it makes an ideal material for creating lightweight structures such as fences, walls, and roofs. The bamboo's natural flexibility also makes it a good choice for creating curved and arched structures.

Bambusa blumeana, also known as Bambu Duri in Bali, or Thorny Bamboo colloquially, is a highly valued species in the construction industry, particularly in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. This species is a clumping bamboo and is native to Southeast Asia. It can grow up to 25 meters tall with diameters of up to 20 centimeters, making it a medium-sized species. Bambu Duri has thick walls and due to its growth in dense clumps, its poles are less straight than other species and can be harder to harvest. While it is structurally sound, its irregularities and swollen nodes also make a visually striking aesthetic feature when cut into slices.

Guadua angustifolia, or Guadua for short, is the most commonly used bamboo for construction in South America and is considered to be the strongest bamboo species in the world. Guadua is interesting because it grows as a mix of clumping and running bamboo. This is called a mix-podial bamboo, and in the case of Guadua, it grows as an open clumper up to five meters in distance. This fast-growing species does best in tropical climates but can withstand colder temperatures. It is one of the tallest types of bamboo, often reaching heights of 30 meters with diameters of up to 18 centimeters, and can be identified by its thick white bands and short stiff hairs on the nodes.

Phyllostachys edulis (also called Phyllostachys pubescens), or Moso bamboo, is one of the tallest bamboo species globally and is the most common bamboo species used for construction in China. As a fast-growing, running bamboo, it can spread rapidly over a large area and be considered invasive. Moso thrives in warm, humid climates but can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C. Its culms are identifiable by the fine, soft hairs that grow on its culms and the two branches that grow from each node. Moso can grow up to 23 meters tall, with diameters ranging from 8 to 18 centimeters, making it very useful for heavy construction.