Bamboo gates give homes a sense of charm

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Bamboo gates bring an appealing blend of charm and functionality to homes, adding a decorative touch to your yard and an inviting look to your property. These gates, crafted from bamboo trees, are a cost-effective and stylish choice for homeowners.

For Nayiga Sebyala, a homeowner from Maya on Masaka Road in Mpigi district, the soundproof nature of her bamboo gate is a major advantage over the squeaky metallic gates. She admires their elegance and unique design, which enhance the natural beauty of her home.

Beyond aesthetics, bamboo gates are eco-friendly and remarkably durable.

The process

Due to the flexibility of the materials used, bamboo gates come in different designs and sizes.

Bamboo gates bring an appealing blend of charm and functionality to homes, adding a decorative touch to your yard and an inviting look to your property. (Photo by Fred Mubanda)

Sadat Ssewanyana, a designer, says the purpose of installing the gate determines the type of gate an individual will choose.

Some homeowners search the internet for installed gates to decide on the right style that will beautify their yards and raise the quality of their homes. To set up the gate, you need bamboo, hinges, a drill and screws, as well as a hacksaw.

The height of the gate is measured, and then the pieces of bamboo to be used are cut down with a hacksaw.

Thick pieces are needed for the four sides of the gate, about 2 inches wide. Before that, the distance is measured between the two poles where the bamboo gate will be set.

The pieces of bamboo are placed either horizontally or vertically, which gives the bamboo gate a delightful impact. A piece of bamboo is placed across the gate.

The screws are drilled through the bamboo and into the crossbar on one side of the gate. The same process is done on the opposite crossbar with the bottom part of the bamboo, which is screwed until the gate is completed.

The gate is set close to the fence with hinges and installed with a latch that enables the gate to open and close with ease. Thus, the gate is fixed onto a walled fence with screws.

Besides, some bamboo gates have locks with keys and latches to make them more secure.

Although bamboo is a natural wood, it must be varnished to ensure it withstands weather conditions completely over time. It is necessary to apply sealant and waterproof coating on bamboo before it is installed.

A better option

According to Ssewanyana, bamboo gates can withstand extreme weather conditions, such as high temperatures, heavy rains, and strong wind, when installed properly and attentively cared for. Bamboo is strong, durable, and lightweight.

“Bamboo has a greater amount of silica, making it impossible for termites to digest, which makes bamboo gates naturally resistant to termites,” he says.

Apart from being a decorative feature, this type of gate provides privacy and protection to your home. Bamboo grows quickly and can be harvested much more regularly, making it abundant, readily available, and cheap. Additionally, it is a sustainable choice for home improvement projects.

Bamboo gates bring an appealing blend of charm and functionality to homes, adding a decorative touch to your yard and an inviting look to your property. (Photo by Fred Mubanda)

Bamboo gates are easy to install, making them very convenient to use. Therefore, you can easily complete the installation of the gate in either the morning or afternoon because the bamboo panels are ready-made and typically available in the market.

Using bamboo gates in your home or yard is effective in increasing the value of your home. Bamboo is available in a wide variety of colours, heights, and styles. You can decide to choose a suitable colour of bamboo, including green, black, or brown, to be installed at your gate.

Ssewanyana explains that bamboo is an environmentally friendly building product because it is very easy to replace what is used in each building project. It brings a taste of the Orient into your home, and its exotic look and beauty bring warmth.

However, there are some limitations that may hinder the lifespan of bamboo gates, despite their many significant benefits. Bamboo is quite capable of rotting when not properly protected against moisture.

Additionally, it tends to crack and split after continuous exposure to environmental elements. Bamboo is not fire-resistant, meaning it can ignite very quickly.

Maintenance of the gate

Ssewanyana notes that a regular maintenance schedule of cleaning, sealing, and staining or varnishing is the best way to protect the bamboo gate. When properly cared for, it can last for many many years.

The gate is easy to clean with materials you might already have at home. You can make a homemade solution with water and bleach. Thus, the way you care for your bamboo gate has a major impact on its lifespan.

It is important to seal and stain the bamboo gate regularly because it can crack and split when exposed to moisture or other environmental elements.

Expert advice

Robert Ebwalu, a fabricator from Seeta in Mukono District, says that although bamboo gates can beautify the home naturally, they need regular care, and you must be financially stable to maintain them. Additionally, their demand is still less compared to metallic gates, whose demand is high due to their new trending designs.