Aloha, just today discovered your site. I lived on Oahu back in the early 60's when husband stationed in Navy. We married on Diamond Head in beautiful flower gardens of a Judge living there. Loves every minute of being in such a paradise. Thank you for your natural use and info of using bamboo. I now live in Arkansas and still in very good health at 76 and have gotten bamboo started through the years. Have used it in my limited knowledge. Your curing the bamboo was the best and easiest. Thank you so much... now to get on with life. You've given me so much to look forward to and to do. Peace and blessings. Aloha.....
Great video, very informative. Can the bamboo rafters be filled with cement to prevent them from being blown away by typhoon? I live in the tropics. We have a lot of those.
Out of the first four videos on bamboo fabrication yours is the best I'm definitely going to try to make those joints... the bamboo I have is actually arendo donax and it only gets to 1 inch diameter Max
Mahalo! Your videos are great, we really enjoy them! My boyfriend is pretty handy so I’m betting we can do it ✿◠‿◠ Keep up the good work! Aloha from Oahu 🤙🏼🌺
I’m a NJ Filipino by ancestry & truly intrigued by this video. As for comment below, saw video bamboo shingles half split along length and laid like Spanish roofing tile. They looked like half pipes interlocked which sounds like would be water resistant. So lay from ridge down to eave & should shed the water like corrugated roofing.
I really want to do that for another project I’m working on. It has a lot to do with getting enough material and treating it all. That’s a lot of work!
Nice build. Bamboo is hella underrated honestly. It's sad that here in my country bamboo is a native plant but our government seems to ignore it's potential.
Extension roof steps Simple Faw saw - fine teeth, Drill and Holesaw drill/saw hole. (where small bamboo fits in) Knife Hammer Sharpening stone Strong rope Roof extension > check length > cut off 5 pieces (as needed) __ Big beams: Saw holes in big bamboo, where the cross peaces go in (40-50cm apart) (if bamboo doesn't fit, make holes bigger with knife) ____ > drill holes through both bamboos > making pegs 1. Split Bamboo in half and then lengthwise (10mm nails/pegs 2. Hammer pegs in holes to fix bamboo together __ ___ > tie roof frame on each pole to the existing structure 💪🙏🌏💚🌱 Thanks heaps mate
😊💪 Thx awesome mate. Great insteuctions 🙏🌏 I wanna preserve it, have lots of different bamboo, Big, small.... Wanna make roof and workahop area. Whats best to protect and preserve it? 🙏☀️
Here's one video on how to treat bamboo th-cam.com/video/6V4UkUO_I_E/w-d-xo.html There are a few others on my channel too. Check out the bamboo Playlist
Is that the tape measure jesus had? 🤣. Na that cool youve had it so long and its still working. I go through tape measures like i go through toilet paper 😅
You should treat bamboo first, which I have videos showing how to do, but if it's out of the rain the bamboo can last decades. There are some other things involved such as bamboo species, age of bamboo when cut and so on. But they should be strong enough for solar panels as well.
Hey Sean, really enjoying your video series on Bamboo. I'm wondering if you treated the bamboo you used to build with in the video before you started. If so, which method did you use to preserve it? Thanks again for the great content and I hope that you keep the videos coming!
I do grow some of my own bamboo but not enough. I have had my best luck finding bamboo to cut just by putting it out there on FB. Most folks would love free clump management.
Where do you get your bamboos to build? All your vids are very informative ..... how do you manage with the lava rocks in-ground, as it has been a real challenge putting in plants and fruit trees. Build up?
Have some of my own growing, plus friends then asking on facebook normally yields a few people who would like some bamboo cut. I'll make a video on planting trees really soon. You can check out a video I made, planting banana on lava rock, it is pretty much the same as planting trees
Thanks for the informative video ! How should bamboo be treated so they last longer for the weather in Hawaii with all the sun and rain that we get on the East side ?
@@deidermccoy9579 You can varnish the outside but you won't be able to protect for bugs, just make sure its under cover and expect it to last no more than 7-10 years
How easy is it to find bamboo for construction there on the island? I was thinking of maybe using the trees or bamboo to build a temporary house on my property to live in when I get there , until I have the money to either get a shipping container, or build a better house. I am leaning toward the shipping container, as I hear you can get a 40' Hicube for around $1,500 and I am a welder fabricator/Machinist by trade so this would be easy for me to convert into a house.
If you have the skills, do a shipping container. That would be the fastest, best bang for your buck. Check out my other comment, I have friends with shipping container homes in almost every subdivision, it is possible. This was my worry when I first got started too. As for bamboo, you can probably post on a group in facebook and get a few offers for you to come cut bamboo, that's how I do it. It's easy to make bamboo look nice.
Do you think this type of bamboo would be structurally sound to make corral panels? where the bamboo is run horizontally/long ways? Would you suggest putting in 3-vertical pieces to keep the horizontal pieces from sagging, or would that not seem like an issue to you? Thanks for sharing all your videos they're so inspiring for DIYs and homesteading
Can I ask for your recommendations? I am planning to build a bridge made out of Bamboo and I don't have any idea what kind of cord or tie I'll be going to use.. It'll be exposed to direct sunlight and random rain showers every day. What can you recommend sir?? Thank you in advance!
Probably should use bolts for main supports and bamboo pegs for other non weight bearing loads. Lately I have been using paracord for non bearing lashing not in the elements. If it is you'll just have to keep an eye on it from aging.
Wonderful explanations in your videos man! Thank you! So what variety or varieties of bamboo to grow for construction material? We are at about 1500’ in windward Puna🍄😃🌈🤙
I made a beginners guide to building with bamboo on my blog. Just google that and it should come up on top of the search results. The article mentions all types of building bamboo.
In construction, there is an old saying that you need a good hat and good boots. Add in treating the bamboo with a boric acid solution (which I will be highlighting in a future video) as well as proper drying are key. Even harvest time plays into how long it will last.
Hi, thank you for sharing your knowledge, I was wondering if you make bamboo panels for Existing fence to add privacy? I can send some pictures and more info if you are interested. Thank you
I was wondering how well bamboo handles being screwed into?? (The roof screws) Will that cause splinting down its centre Thanks for the video!! Loved it:)
I don’t quite understand what you’re talking about. This was a video about bamboo roofs. Not an address about water. Besides, haven’t you ever read Steinbeck, “in the dry years they forget about the wet years, and in the wet years they forget about the dry years.” That’s the relationship people in CA have with their water. Enjoy the wet years.
Aloha, just today discovered your site. I lived on Oahu back in the early 60's when husband stationed in Navy. We married on Diamond Head in beautiful flower gardens of a Judge living there. Loves every minute of being in such a paradise. Thank you for your natural use and info of using bamboo. I now live in Arkansas and still in very good health at 76 and have gotten bamboo started through the years. Have used it in my limited knowledge. Your curing the bamboo was the best and easiest. Thank you so much... now to get on with life. You've given me so much to look forward to and to do. Peace and blessings. Aloha.....
Good luck with it out there. I love bamboo.
Just remember to wear your OSHA Approved flip flops!.. 👍
Required in every job site 🩴🩴
Excellent video with so many essential tips, Aloha and many Mahalos. 🌿🤙
Glad it was helpful!
thankyou, i loved the way you explained everything...tools required and everything!
Great! Thanks for watching!
I learn something new in every video. Thank you
I try
I like seeing the rusty ass tools, it’s the same here in Peru, everything rusts overnight.
Itʻs impossible to keep tools shiny :(
Love every thing about this.
Excellent channel.👊🙃🤭
Thank you
I like your bamboo videos. I want to learn to use bamboo to build garden structures.
Thanks for watching them. I'll be doing some building real soon
Great video, very informative. Can the bamboo rafters be filled with cement to prevent them from being blown away by typhoon? I live in the tropics. We have a lot of those.
Out of the first four videos on bamboo fabrication yours is the best I'm definitely going to try to make those joints... the bamboo I have is actually arendo donax and it only gets to 1 inch diameter Max
Glad I could help.
pretty cool watching this take shape
I've got bamboo out back growing as I type.
I subbed
Mahalo. I'm about to build a bamboo treehouse and document it. Be sure to stay tuned!
too cool - I'll keep an eye out for it - thanks
Just found your channel.... love it! Mahalo for sharing your knowledge!
Mahalo for watching!
Love it!
Mahalo
Awesome job
Mahalo
I LOVE this! I hope my boyfriend will help me build a bamboo treehouse like this! Mahalo for showing me how easy it can be!
Good luck. I just showed one part. A whole house can be tricky.
Mahalo! Your videos are great, we really enjoy them! My boyfriend is pretty handy so I’m betting we can do it ✿◠‿◠
Keep up the good work! Aloha from Oahu 🤙🏼🌺
Thanks for posting
You're welcome
I’m a NJ Filipino by ancestry & truly intrigued by this video.
As for comment below, saw video bamboo shingles half split along length and laid like Spanish roofing tile. They looked like half pipes interlocked which sounds like would be water resistant. So lay from ridge down to eave & should shed the water like corrugated roofing.
I really want to do that for another project I’m working on. It has a lot to do with getting enough material and treating it all. That’s a lot of work!
Nice build. Bamboo is hella underrated honestly. It's sad that here in my country bamboo is a native plant but our government seems to ignore it's potential.
It is a shame for sure. But it's time to change that
Fast growing to here in Florida
He speaks about safety a lot in Sandals. Lol lol
Hawaiian safety boots
Sandals!? Slippas my brotha
Great video, great channel
Pine pitch would probably work great on all of those joints.
Or Ulu Sap!!
Looks great bud. Keep up the good work.
Nice project
Extension roof steps
Simple
Faw saw - fine teeth,
Drill and
Holesaw drill/saw hole. (where small bamboo fits in)
Knife
Hammer
Sharpening stone
Strong rope
Roof extension
> check length
> cut off 5 pieces (as needed)
__
Big beams:
Saw holes in big bamboo, where the cross peaces go in
(40-50cm apart)
(if bamboo doesn't fit, make holes bigger with knife)
____
> drill holes through both bamboos
> making pegs
1. Split Bamboo in half and then lengthwise (10mm nails/pegs
2. Hammer pegs in holes to fix bamboo together
__
___
> tie roof frame on each pole to the existing structure 💪🙏🌏💚🌱
Thanks heaps mate
Mahalo. Sounds like a great summary
😊💪 Thx awesome mate.
Great insteuctions 🙏🌏
I wanna preserve it, have lots of different bamboo,
Big, small....
Wanna make roof and workahop area.
Whats best to protect and preserve it? 🙏☀️
Here's one video on how to treat bamboo
th-cam.com/video/6V4UkUO_I_E/w-d-xo.html
There are a few others on my channel too. Check out the bamboo Playlist
Great work and mind settings :-) thank you
Mahalo
Your videos are so informative!
Thanks. I try
Is that the tape measure jesus had? 🤣. Na that cool youve had it so long and its still working. I go through tape measures like i go through toilet paper 😅
It could've been, that tape measure was pretty beat up.
Cool idea. I am thinking about building my terrace-roof with Bamboo. How long does a Bamboo-Roof last? And do you think, I can put solar panels on it?
You should treat bamboo first, which I have videos showing how to do, but if it's out of the rain the bamboo can last decades. There are some other things involved such as bamboo species, age of bamboo when cut and so on. But they should be strong enough for solar panels as well.
Greetings from Java

Hello, I would love to visit your beautiful island one day
@@HomesteadinHawaii Sir, I hope that one day you can go to Indonesia, West Java, the Sunda region, very nice bamboo houses, made very aesthetically.
"just make sure to wear some protection" - like slippers 😆
Gotta keep the bottoms of your feet safe
Hey Sean, really enjoying your video series on Bamboo. I'm wondering if you treated the bamboo you used to build with in the video before you started. If so, which method did you use to preserve it? Thanks again for the great content and I hope that you keep the videos coming!
I did not treat all the poles, but if I did it would e been with soak immersion. You can do a lot of poles at once
I would love, love, love a video where you recomend a tool list for a someone looking to get into n
Bamboo building
I loved your bamboo construction. Very creative . Do you grow your own bamboo, else, where/how do/can you get really nice pole/timber bamboo in Puna?
I do grow some of my own bamboo but not enough. I have had my best luck finding bamboo to cut just by putting it out there on FB. Most folks would love free clump management.
Where do you get your bamboos to build?
All your vids are very informative ..... how do you manage with the lava rocks in-ground, as it has been a real challenge putting in plants and fruit trees. Build up?
Have some of my own growing, plus friends then asking on facebook normally yields a few people who would like some bamboo cut.
I'll make a video on planting trees really soon. You can check out a video I made, planting banana on lava rock, it is pretty much the same as planting trees
Mahalo for watching btw.
Is it important to treat the wood or does it not matter for bamboo?
Yes, You have to treat it, I've made a bunch of videos that cover treating bamboo
Thanks for the informative video ! How should bamboo be treated so they last longer for the weather in Hawaii with all the sun and rain that we get on the East side ?
I have a video coming out on that REAL soon. Be sure to subscribe so you can be sure to catch it.
In the vertical method of treating bamboo do you have to do within 48 hrs after cutting?
Yes. With all methods really. You should treat as soon as possible
@@HomesteadinHawaii so I didn’t realize what needed to be done when I cut my bamboo and now I have to leave for a week😢 anyway to salvage it
@@deidermccoy9579 You can varnish the outside but you won't be able to protect for bugs, just make sure its under cover and expect it to last no more than 7-10 years
What about curing your bamboo, what do you typically do?
Check out my bamboo playlist. I have a few videos going over that
How easy is it to find bamboo for construction there on the island? I was thinking of maybe using the trees or bamboo to build a temporary house on my property to live in when I get there , until I have the money to either get a shipping container, or build a better house. I am leaning toward the shipping container, as I hear you can get a 40' Hicube for around $1,500 and I am a welder fabricator/Machinist by trade so this would be easy for me to convert into a house.
If you have the skills, do a shipping container. That would be the fastest, best bang for your buck. Check out my other comment, I have friends with shipping container homes in almost every subdivision, it is possible. This was my worry when I first got started too.
As for bamboo, you can probably post on a group in facebook and get a few offers for you to come cut bamboo, that's how I do it. It's easy to make bamboo look nice.
@@HomesteadinHawaii Thanks!
These last as long as 250+ years, provided it isn't exposed to water/rain.
And if you treat it
how do you keep the bamboo from rotting? how long will a structure like this last in a wet and humid climate like yours?
I have a whole playlist of bamboo videos, I think you're going to want to watch them to solve your answer
How long does the bamboo last?
If you treat and build with it properlu, it can last decades
Did you treat the bamboo first?
Yes, I have other videos that show the process of treating bamboo
Do you think this type of bamboo would be structurally sound to make corral panels? where the bamboo is run horizontally/long ways? Would you suggest putting in 3-vertical pieces to keep the horizontal pieces from sagging, or would that not seem like an issue to you?
Thanks for sharing all your videos they're so inspiring for DIYs and homesteading
It would work for a few years, but then it would degrade and break. Best thing to do is experiment.
Can I ask for your recommendations? I am planning to build a bridge made out of Bamboo and I don't have any idea what kind of cord or tie I'll be going to use.. It'll be exposed to direct sunlight and random rain showers every day. What can you recommend sir?? Thank you in advance!
Probably should use bolts for main supports and bamboo pegs for other non weight bearing loads. Lately I have been using paracord for non bearing lashing not in the elements. If it is you'll just have to keep an eye on it from aging.
Wonderful explanations in your videos man! Thank you! So what variety or varieties of bamboo to grow for construction material? We are at about 1500’ in windward Puna🍄😃🌈🤙
I made a beginners guide to building with bamboo on my blog. Just google that and it should come up on top of the search results. The article mentions all types of building bamboo.
We tried to use bamboo but it molded and rotted within a few months ? How are you getting it to last ? Mahalo nui
In construction, there is an old saying that you need a good hat and good boots. Add in treating the bamboo with a boric acid solution (which I will be highlighting in a future video) as well as proper drying are key. Even harvest time plays into how long it will last.
Hi, thank you for sharing your knowledge, I was wondering if you make bamboo panels for Existing fence to add privacy? I can send some pictures and more info if you are interested. Thank you
@@marjannoory939 Send me some pics of what you are looking for and maybe I can help
I hope since this video you've gotten a new tape measure
I have a few new tape measures now. That one is in the rubbish
BOOGA BOOGA!
Booga Booga to you
I was wondering how well bamboo handles being screwed into?? (The roof screws)
Will that cause splinting down its centre
Thanks for the video!!
Loved it:)
Screws are not advised. Splitting will happen. Bolts are best. But screws do happen here and there.
I was thinking the same thing
Would drilling the holes before treatment and drying keep it or help it from splitting?
Dig it
Mahalo
is this maui
I'm on Hawai'i island
@@HomesteadinHawaii bro epic thats like my favorite island
Looks like tetanus waiting to happen. Those knives need some love brother.
They do, things just rust overnight here
Looks really rough
It's not too hard to build with, but harder then conventional luber
Update your facts all reservoirs in cali are full .we know you want make money just get straight to the point . Or else no one will listen to your ad.
I don’t quite understand what you’re talking about. This was a video about bamboo roofs. Not an address about water.
Besides, haven’t you ever read Steinbeck, “in the dry years they forget about the wet years, and in the wet years they forget about the dry years.” That’s the relationship people in CA have with their water. Enjoy the wet years.