Bamboo fencing is a good choice when you want to create privacy or add an exotic touch to your landscape. Bamboo fences are lightweight, durable, resistant to water, low maintenance, and relatively inexpensive.
There are several styles of bamboo fences to choose from. The most common styles are constructed of 1” diameter bamboo poles or 1/2” diameter bamboo canes. The pieces of bamboo are arranged vertically side by side and held together with heavy-duty galvanized wire, which does not rust. Other popular designs include woven bamboo, which consists of smaller canes tied together in bundles, and split bamboo (the outer surface of the bamboo cane) made of 1/2 “ thick slats tied together with wire. Woven and split bamboo fences last about 10 years, while fences constructed of bamboo poles or canes have a lifespan of approximately 20 years. Bamboo, because it is a live plant, is dried, cleaned and fumigated before being used in fence construction.
Bamboo fencing comes in rolls or in panels. Panels are usually 6 or 8-feet wide, whereas the length of a roll varies depending on manufacturer. Fence heights also vary, but are typically 3, 4, 6, or 8 feet high. When installing a bamboo fence, always leave several inches of clearance under the fence to prevent contact with moisture in the ground, which will cause the bamboo to decompose and rot. If the height of the fence needs to be adjusted, use a bamboo saw to make a clean cut and prevent jagged edges. To cut rolls to a specific length, use sharp wire cutters to cut the wires holding the bamboo fence together.
Installing a roll of bamboo fence over an existing chain link fence is easier than using panels. Unroll the fence and attach it to the top, bottom, and then middle of the first post with 12-inch length pieces of heavy-duty galvanized wire. Use a pair of pliers to pull the wire through to the other side and twist the wires to secure the fence. Use 10-inch lengths of galvanized wire to attach the bamboo fence to the top and bottom horizontal stringers of the chain link fence every 4 to 6 feet. Adjust the length of the galvanized wire as needed, depending on the dimensions of the posts and stringers.
When the end of the roll is reached, attach the new roll using galvanized wire at intervals of at least 12 inches. Continue fastening the bamboo fencing to the chain link fence until you reach the last post, adjusting the vertical alignment as needed. Wrap the bamboo fence around the corner of the last post and fasten it securely to the pos with galvanized wire. To install a woven or split bamboo fence roll over a board fence, there is an option of using a staple gun to staple the bamboo fence to the board fence instead of attaching it with wire. Use stainless steel staples to prevent rusting.
When installing bamboo fence panels or a rolled bamboo fence as a stand-alone fence, it is necessary to construct a framework of vertical posts and horizontal stringers. Posts should be 4” x 4” in size and made of cedar or pressure treated wood to prevent rotting where they are in contact with the ground. Space the posts to accommodate the width of the panel or every 6 feet on center if using a fence roll. Install the posts in the ground in accordance with local building standards.
Panels generally have horizontal stringers already attached to the panel; however, if they do not, or you are using a fence roll, use cedar, pressure treated wood, or large bamboo poles for the stringers. If bamboo poles are used, drill holes in the bamboo to accommodate the galvanized wire prior to installation. For a 6-foot high fence, three evenly spaced horizontal stringers (2”x4” wood planks or bamboo poles) should be nailed (wood planks) or attached with wire (bamboo poles) to the top, bottom and middle of the post. Attach the bamboo fence to the frame using galvanized wire as described above for chain link fences.
