TREATING BAMBOO SHINGLES

How to treat Bamboo Shingles?

Bamboo, a traditional construction material in the Philippines, is generally thought-of as inferior and ex­tremely susceptible to insects, decay and the elements.

However, the durability of this cellulosic material can be amplified several times through proper, practi­cal and simple preservative treatment. The treatment described below is applicable to bamboo when used as roof shingles.

1.   Materials

    a)    Bamboo stems - Kawayan Kiling (Bambusa Vulgaris Scharad)

b)   Preservative — Copper-chrome arsenate

c)    Coconut coir

2.   Procedure

a)   Dry freshly cut bamboo stems for three to five days.

b)   Chop the stem vertically, taking care to avoid jagged edges.

c)   Cut the long strips along the nodes leaving one node at one end of each shingle.

d)   The inner part of the node will serve as a hinge on the roof purlin. These shingles can be fas­tened tightly with twine made from coconut coir fiber.

e)    Soak the shingles in five percent copper-chrome-arsenate preservative for three to five days. A lower concentration will require a longer soak­ing period.

f)    Allow the materials to drip and dry before installation. Treated bamboos can last a mini­mum of 15 years.