How Do You Cut Bamboo Countertops

How Do You Cut Bamboo Countertops? An Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Bamboo wood is the trending raw material. People are making doors, ceilings, windows, and countertops out of it.

To cut countertops from bamboo slabs, you’ll have access to carpeting tools, enough bamboo planks, and measurement tools like angle locators. You’ll cut and glue the planks together with adhesives for stronger strength so it doesn’t tear out with time.

However, you’ll need to maintain the countertop from time to time. Clean it with a sponge and vinegar to disinfect the bamboo countertop and sand it.

Let’s get into the details of the process from here.

Is Bamboo Wood Easy to Cut?

Yes. Cutting and fastening the bamboo material using metal fasteners or glue is simple. It is thought to be incredibly pliable and lightweight by most people. It is 2x harder than hardwoods but easier to cut.

You may have to apply pressure to the cutting tool while cutting Bamboo products, such as the countertops, which are actually hefty, around 40 pounds per cubic foot density, and bend like oak wood.

Considering the density, bamboo panels can be heavier than oak wood panels. Bamboo plywood is 100% bamboo, no matter the use case, while oak plywood has lower density and weight when used in interior design.

With the basics sorted, we’ll now get to the business: how to cut bamboo countertops out of bamboo plywood slabs.

How Do You Cut Bamboo Countertops?

You cut the bamboo countertops by measuring and gluing them with an adhesive.
Bamboo rebounds well to easily shape and cut. You can try the customized edge profile, perfectly complementing your decor and design. You can go ahead and choose any profile you like, whether it’s a regular bullnose, miter, round edge, or unusual shape.

To start cutting the bamboo, you will need certain tools and materials to begin the process. So, we will look into the material you’ll need to succeed.

Tools And Materials

You’ll need handy wood-cutting and finishing tools with some safety gloves. We also have a list.
What you’ll need:
Gloves: hand protection
Safety goggles: eye protection
Blades: To cut the bamboo wood
Hand pruners: Bamboo branches and culms
Hand saw: for pruning and trimming
Chainsaw lopper: Cut through 10cm branches
Sandpaper: finish the edges

These tools are good for starters, and you will be covered to begin the woodwork.

Cut The Bamboo Benchtop

When you have the helping tools at hand, it’s now time to get to the cutting part. You also have to make sure that the bamboo slabs are completely dry.

Steps to Cut the Bamboo

1. Lay down the wood slabs.
2. As a direction for your saw, use your straight edge.
3. Set it next to the cut line, as far away from the line as the edge of your saw’s bottom plate is from the blade.
4. Cut the benchtop after the straight margin is in place, and you’re done.
5. Use a straight edge, measure, and outline your cut line.
6. Prepare your saw by adjusting the blade depth to 10mm further than the board’s width.

Protect the eyes and face underneath your benchtop when turning it upside down.

How Do You Join Bamboo Countertops?

Joining bamboo slabs for countertops is an easy task with certain sealants. The bamboo countertops are generally joined together end to end regardless of their existing shape. Butt join saves you time, effort, and material more than other kinds like miter-joint. You can make the leftover wood into kitchen cutting boards.

You should avoid wet locations because bamboo countertops are not waterproof. Make sure the surface is well sealed, especially around the sink. To prevent water damage to the countertop, many treatments of oil or sealer are required.

Do Bamboo Countertops Need To Be Sealed?

Yes. Bamboo countertops need to be sealed. You can use linseed or Tung oil. Other sealers, oils, and coats used on wood can also be used on bamboo, albeit you’ll want to use one appropriate for food preparation surfaces. You must seal bamboo countertops with mineral oil and beeswax.

You can seal the countertop by applying a couple of coats of tung oil and spreading it over the surface with either a paper towel or a cloth. Follow the oil coat spread with a dry rag. The dry rag will handle the excess oil to let the countertop dry quickly.

Can You Sand The Bamboo Countertop?

Sanding is required for the well-used bamboo wood, but if you purchase it fresh and have already been oiled, you may not need to read this section. You’re doing this to eliminate the blemishes, stains, and other flaws that have built up over time and return the surface to a clear, clean state.

Thus you’ll need to choose between grit 120, grit 150, or grit 180, depending on your needs. After you’ve finished sanding, it’s time to apply the oil. You should do this with a rag rather than a brush.

How To Finish A Bamboo Countertop?

1. To finish your bamboo countertops, you’ll need to use 100-grit sandpaper.
2. Begin by stroking the countertop in one direction with sandpaper.
3. Brush off the sanding wood dust with a brush or a wet cloth. If you use a wet rag, let the countertop dry first.
4. Pick up the polyurethane finish and use a paint stirrer to mix it. You can also add water to the mixture.
5. Dip the paintbrush into the mixture (1-inch), and apply a thin coat of prepared finish.
6. Let the coat dry, and apply another coat with a gentle stroke over the table.
7. Leave the countertop for 24 hours.

Finishing bamboo countertops is a way to make them look new and furnished. You can use sandpaper to renew the look anytime.

Conclusion

Preparing, cutting, and finishing bamboo countertops is not child’s play. But, it’s not so difficult either. You’ll have to stay cautious and maintain the countertop from time to time, so it doesn’t get stained. Watching a couple of tutorials will not hurt either. Happy DIYing!