Markit wrote
There are 6 sides to your normal house; roof, floor and 4 walls, agreed? Well it didn't take me long living in Bali, on a rice field, in a coconut orchard, near the ocean to realise you actually only NEED 2, roof and floor and that the other 4 are really discretionary. Bamboo offers a very economical flexibility to those options that no other building material does. And it could not be more ecological!
"Unlike other timber varieties like teak, bamboo doesn't posses toxic deposits that can help against biodegradation, therefore the natural durability of untreated bamboo poles is low. [B]For most species less than 2 years, and 4-7 years under ideal conditions (without exposure to sun and rain). The preservation of bamboo poles is therefore essential to extend its service life.
The large amounts of starch present in bamboo makes it highly attractive to mold and fungi, termites and powder-post beetles.[/B] They cause much damage during drying, storage, and subsequent use. [B]Bamboos also have minor amounts of waxes, resins and tannins, but none of these have enough toxicity to improve its natural durability.[/B]
Because of its low natural durability, bamboo poles should be treated against potential insect contamination immediately after harvest. One of the most used and effective preservation techniques is to impregnate bamboo fibers with a mixture of borax or boric acid minerals.
Once all natural sugars in the bamboo fibers are replaced with salts, they become immune to insects.[B] Treated bamboo poles have a service life of 50 years or more, assuming that they are kept from direct contact with sun, rain or soil.[/B]
Additional maintenance and care is required by the end user when using bamboo poles for outdoor applications."
Now what about that doesn't sound like a headache to you Markit?
Give me a floor, a roof, 4 walls and plenty of full seal windows and doors ANYDAY over some bamboo tarzan house.
