Custom Bamboo Garden

Project: Storm-Ready Design, Episode 13, Part 4



Brazilian Walnut or Ipe hardwood flooring is installed over a concrete slab as Jesse Bartusek explains how the concrete is tested for moisture content, sealed, and troweled with polyurethane adhesive. The floor planks are laid out on the adhesive, tapped in place with a rubber mallet, and taped to hold them in place for at least four hours, preferably 24. Dan Gerry installs a Moen burnished brass faucet with a pullout sprayer and shutoff valves below. In the main living area, an Energy Star-rated ceiling fan, fluorescent lights, and energy saving fixtures are wired in. A Square D All House Surge Arrester is connected to the phone, television, electrical, satellite and cable TV lines to protect the home from damaging stray voltage, power surges, and lightning. The self-monitoring system stops and redirects stray voltage to a ground to protect electrical appliances, data, cable, and phone lines. Smith & Noble bamboo panel-track blinds are hung and pass one in front of the other to screen the large patio doors. With help from family members, Teresa’s brother Kalo constructs fastener-free, woven, bamboo partition fences to surround a Zen-like garden that is his gift to the homeowners.
Part 1: Installing Hardwood Floors over Concrete
Part 2: Plumbing Fittings and Faucets, Energy Star, Whole-House Surge Protection
Part 3: Installing Natural Bamboo Sliding Panel Shades
Part 4: Custom Bamboo Garden
Kalo, Teresa's brother, is on site to create a gift garden for the homeowners. He is weaving split, green bamboo partition fences that are held together simply by the friction of the reeds. Kalo, a weaver, has learned textile techniques in Taiwan that he is applying to the fence. He has created a Zen space within the garden and various sections for plantings, fences, a potted black bamboo, and stones. Kalo's niece is splitting the bamboo that he uses for the woven fences. He warns that bamboo is razor sharp once cut and takes tremendous attention and gloves. Kalo shows Bob how he uses four warps, or horizontals, for the bracing that will hold the vertical reeds in place. The fence will age and weather from green, to gold, to grey, and ultimately to black before it is replaced. Jim's two daughters are also working on the garden project, mulching the beds in front of the bamboo garden.

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