Crushed Bamboo Mats & Bamboo Panels
Crushed Bamboo Panels also known as Esterilla de Guadua
Crushed Bamboo Mats or Bamboo Panels utilized in the construction industry serve as excellent source of bamboo fiber, employed by numerous bamboo structural startups.
Colombian Guadua angustifolia flattened bamboo mats are made from flattened bamboo poles. Our Bamboo Mats or Crushed Bamboo Panels are mainly used in the modern industry, offering lower-cost, eco-friendly green products with top-performing quality by utilizing bamboo's strength and flexibility.
The process to obtain our eco-friendly bamboo mats or crushed panels is relatively similar to the strand-woven bamboo process. We select the finest Guadua poles, matured between 1000 and 1400 meters above sea level. Crushed bamboo is made when these poles are harvested, cleaned, and transformed into flattened bamboo poles. This marks the creation of crushed bamboo, known as an "Esterilla." Following this process within the Guadual (inside the bamboo forest), the crushed bamboo is transported to a designated factory for treatment.
Imza Arquitectura
The Flattening and Preparation Process
The creation of these mats begins with harvesting fresh, green bamboo poles—ideally between 4 and 6 years old. Green bamboo is preferred because it is easier to split and clean than dried bamboo. The first step in the flattening process involves breaking the bamboo nodes with a hatchet. Next, a single vertical incision is made along the pole using a spade to ensure all nodes are completely perforated. Once the nodes are broken, the pole can be opened and crushed with a mallet, resulting in a flat bamboo panel.
After flattening, it is essential to remove the inner white layer from the bamboo, as this section is highly attractive to insects. The mat is then thoroughly cleaned to prepare it for preservation.
Curing and Drying for Longevity
Prevention of insect and fungus damage is done by submerging the bamboo in tanks with a sodium borate solution—a non-toxic preservative. This curing step ensures long-term durability against pests and mold. The bamboo is then left to dry, typically air drying for 1–2 months depending on the weather conditions. During this time, the bamboo poles sun-bleach, gradually transitioning from green hues to a yellowish-tan color. Once the desired shade and moisture level are achieved, the crushed bamboo is ready for further use or export.
To ensure the highest quality, all crushed bamboo used for construction purposes undergoes a meticulous inspection and selection process before being offered to any Best Bamboo customers.
Due to the mechanical properties of these bamboo mats, engineers, architects, building technicians, master builders, and craftsmen are increasingly using bamboo and actually mats are used as a raw material in the construction, architecture, arts & crafts, décor, and design industries.
Certified & Traceable — From Our Plantation to Your Door
The Best Bamboo holds an official Bamboo Origin Certification from CRQ (Corporacion AutonomaRegional del Quindio) — guaranteeing the origin and traceability of every mat we export.
For every shipment we work closely with regional environmental corporations CARDER, CVC, and CAR— ensuring full environmental compliance depending on which plantation in Colombia the bamboo originates from.
Own plantation — Montenegro, Colombia
Processing time — 1 to 3 months depending on order size
Moisture content — 13-18% after drying
Export-ready — ships worldwide
Key Features:
Lower costs compared to other materials used in traditional construction systems
Lower transportation costs
Better thermal and acoustic conditions
In harmony with the environment
Excellent physical-mechanical properties, high degree of uniformity, flexibility, and bearing capacity provide seismic-resistant properties
Multiple uses varying from wall and bamboo ceiling paneling, to mainly used as fiber to make value added bamboo products such as flooring and beams
Mats are used for both interior and exterior use
Crushed bamboo wall mats can be applied with wallpaper using indoor or outdoor adhesives
Clear answers to common doubts:
-
One of the distinct advantages of flattened bamboo mats over traditional round poles lies in their transport efficiency. When bamboo poles are flattened, they become compact panels that can be stacked neatly, reducing the amount of empty space during shipping. This streamlined form not only allows more material to fit per shipment but also lowers freight charges and handling costs.
These savings quickly add up, making flattened bamboo mats especially attractive for manufacturers looking to optimize expenses—whether they’re destined for engineered flooring, IKEA-style furniture, or sophisticated composite beams from the likes of Smith & Fong or MOSO. The result? You get a high-performance, eco-friendly material that’s budget-friendly all the way from the forest to your building site.
-
When it comes to crafting high-quality crushed bamboo mats, using freshly harvested, green bamboo poles is essential. Bamboo that is about 4-6 years old remains supple and easier to work with, making the splitting and flattening process much smoother compared to dried or overly mature poles. The elasticity and moisture content of green bamboo help retain the integrity of the fibers, allowing for cleaner, more precise results. This approach also reduces the likelihood of splits and cracks, ensuring the finished esterilla is both durable and visually appealing.
This careful selection at harvest is crucial—it sets the foundation for the entire production process, guaranteeing mats and panels that meet both structural and aesthetic standards.
-
After flattening, it's essential to carefully strip away the inner white layer of the bamboo. This layer, sometimes called the parenchyma, is particularly attractive to insects, making the bamboo more vulnerable to pests if not fully removed. Beyond pest prevention, cleaning off the inner portion also ensures a smoother, more stable surface ready for further treatment and finishing. This critical step not only extends the life of the bamboo mats but also enhances the final product’s durability and appearance—meeting the demands of the construction industry for long-lasting, sustainable materials.
-
Typically, the air drying process for crushed bamboo mats ranges from one to two months. This gradual drying period helps ensure the bamboo reaches optimal moisture content, making it stable and ready for use in further manufacturing or construction applications. The exact duration can vary based on humidity and weather conditions, but patience during this stage is crucial for producing high-quality, durable panels.
-
Have a big project in mind? Please note that for large quantities or custom-made crushed bamboo mats, processing times can extend up to three months before your order is ready to ship. We recommend planning ahead and reaching out if you have specific timelines or delivery requirements—we’re happy to help ensure your order arrives when you need it.
-
Once the bamboo mats have been thoroughly treated and allowed to dry, they typically reach a moisture content of around 13-18%. For specialized applications that demand even lower moisture, it's possible to further reduce this percentage upon request. This meticulous drying process not only enhances the performance of the material but also plays a key role in protecting the bamboo from moisture-related concerns, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of construction and design projects.
-
Wondering about bulk orders? If you’re considering large-scale applications, it's helpful to know that a standard 40-foot high-cube (HQ) shipping container can typically hold approximately 4,320 crushed bamboo mats, each measuring 4 meters in length (about 13.1 feet). This makes worldwide shipping cost-effective and logistically straightforward for projects of any scale—whether you're outfitting eco-friendly resorts in Bali, US, or designing urban green architecture in Berlin.
Presentations:
Our 4-meter long and 35cm-wide sections can be available in the following presentations:
Rustic Mats: A rugged decorative appearance with a distinct hue made from the world’s strongest bamboo.
Polished Mats: Cut lengthwise, brushed at nods, final finishing consisting of linseed and turpentine oil layering.
Panels for construction of plant nurseries, stables, and the like.
Lengths can be cut to fit specific projects.
Available in bundles for bulk orders.
Crushed bamboo is incredibly versatile and sees use across a spectrum of applications. While it can certainly be utilized in its natural form, most frequently it undergoes additional processes—such as sanding, shredding, or pressing—to tailor it for specific end uses. For example, flattened or crushed bamboo is not only easier and more economical to transport than round poles, but also opens the door for manufacturers to create value-added products like flooring, furniture, particle boards, and composite beams. This adaptability makes crushed bamboo a smart and cost-effective choice for a wide variety of building and design projects, from rustic to refined.
What is Crushed Bamboo Used foR?
This striking photo by Sebastiao Salgado displayed on a wall covered with The Best Bamboo® crushed mats at the Aqua Mater exhibition in Paris.
Wall Panels: Our crushed bamboo can be used as wall coverings, panels, and as wall support systems offering a less expensive solution than CHB, brick, or even drywall. This super-strong raw material translates into earthquake-resistant, fire-retardant, and waterproof walls offering outstanding thermal and acoustic conditions.
Ceiling Panels: Walls, ceiling, and floor panels for indoor and outdoor tropical architecture and designs, which can be painted or stained to add color or a rustic look to any design.
Flooring: Our versatile bamboo mats or crushed panels can also be used in hardwood flooring either with a natural or sanded finish, guaranteeing a solid and resistant material. Whether you prefer the rustic character of visible nodes or a smooth, refined surface, both options are possible. The top layer can be sanded and finished with durable coatings—like polyurethane—for added protection and sheen, then glued together or to a backing. This creates a unique, eco-friendly flooring solution that's as beautiful as it is tough.
Beams and Timbers: Our flattened bamboo is also used as fiber is transformed into beams and timbers offering outstanding mechanical properties with a tensile strength exceeding mild steel, making them an excellent choice as strong load-bearing structures. Building on this innovation, several flattened bamboo panels are glued and pressed together, then sawn into specific dimensions to create robust, thick boards and beams. Laboratory tests have consistently shown that these crushed bamboo beams possess remarkable mechanical strength, making them especially suitable for demanding structural applications where both resilience and sustainability matter.
Furniture and Arts & Crafts: Artists and designers can let their imagination run free with the beautiful aesthetic and varying hues, contrasts, and colors of our bamboo mats and crushed panels offering an avant-garde look! Crushed or flattened bamboo provides a contemporary alternative to traditional bamboo log furniture, opening up new creative possibilities. By experimenting with the direction of the grain, you can achieve striking visual effects—think of a bamboo tabletop framed with rich, contrasting tropical hardwoods for extra flair. Whether you’re crafting tables, chairs, or unique art pieces, the interplay of textures and tones in crushed bamboo brings a modern edge to any project.
Structural Wall Panels: Crushed bamboo panels in tropical architecture are also used as a substitute for traditional walls. They are stacked atop each other, intertwined with wire, and plastered with adobe. To achieve a sleeker appearance, they are subsequently plastered with cement and sanded for a super chic finish!