Various bamboo fence designs

Welcome to our guide to picking out the bamboo fence that’s right for your home!

Bamboo fences are a fantastic way to add a privacy perimeter that is as beautiful as it is functional.

Bamboo has long been a building material used widely throughout Asia, used both for its strength and flexibility, and in no small part due to its abundance.

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing trees, with some varieties growing up to an inch every forty minutes! When it is harvested, the tree simply regrows the stalks, which is in contrast to other trees, which die once harvested.

For this reason, bamboo is one of the most sustainable options to build your fence out of. Whether the fence is made out of classic stalks of bamboo tied together with wire, or you opt for smooth bamboo planks or slats, investing in bamboo is a decision you won’t regret.

You have a lot of material options when it comes to building or purchasing a fence, so we’ll lay out the pros and cons to purchasing bamboo:

Pros:

  1. Bamboo is strong – it has a higher compressive strength than wood, brick or concrete, and rivals steel in tensile strength.
  2. Environmentally friendly – harvesting bamboo doesn’t kill the plant, so you can feel good about how sustainable your fence is.
  3. Varying colors – like other wooden fences, bamboo does need to be stained and sealed, so you can choose a stain color that suits you if you don’t want the natural color of bamboo.
  4. Hardy – bamboo is resistant to heat, UV rays, rain, and snow, even before sealing.
  5. Easy to install – you can install panels to an existing fence easily.

Cons:

  1. Distinctive style – this is arguably both a pro and a con. Bamboo fencing is associated with Asian design, particularly with Japanese Zen gardens, where they are used decoratively. They look nice in Zen gardens and some modern gardens, but might not be right for other styles.
  2. Pricey – Bamboo is expensive, more so than traditional solid hardwood, metal, or vinyl.
  3. Availability – despite its abundance throughout Asia, depending on the climate where you live, you may need to special order your materials.
  4. Sturdiness – if you live in a windy area, your bamboo fencing might need the support of a sturdier fence.
  5. Research – there are tons of varieties of bamboo that range in hardness and size, so you’ll need to figure out which variant you want.

Once you’ve decided if bamboo is right for your fence, you’ll need to shop around. Since bamboo is pretty pricey, you should expect to spend more than if you were putting up a chain link fence.

Most bamboo fences consist of tight rolls of contiguous stalks bound together with galvanized steel wire. The prices vary depending on the variation of bamboo used and the square footage available on the roll, but you can expect to pay between 70 and 100 dollars for taller fences, and under 40 for shorter fences.

The cheapest variant is natural reed bamboo, which is thinner and lighter than other types, and appears brushy.

If you’d prefer bamboo slats, you can expect to pay about 100 dollars per pack of 25 fence sections.

Overall, when building any bamboo fence, a good guideline to stick to is between $9 to $11 dollars per linear foot.

So far we’ve only talked about harvested bamboo fences, but live fences are an option as well. Bamboo grows quickly, so with plenty of care, you can grow a living privacy wall.

However, bamboo is invasive, so your living fence will need much more maintenance than a typical harvested bamboo fence.

Not sure if bamboo is right for you? Check our definitive guide to fences!

Now that we have some background on what to expect out of a bamboo fence, let’s take a look at some gorgeous examples of bamboo done right!

Bamboo is at its most beautiful when placed as a decorative fence around a traditional Japanese Zen garden. This particular fence acts as a backdrop to a water feature and mossy stone.
Bamboo is at its most beautiful when placed as a decorative fence around a traditional Japanese Zen garden. This particular fence acts as a backdrop to a water feature and mossy stone.
 
This is an example of a different design, with tall bamboo shades and stalks pressed into the ground to form a tall edging around a vegetable cart. The tall panels of the fence are occasionally interrupted by octagonal cutouts with a beautiful, simple design.
This is an example of a different design, with tall bamboo shades and stalks pressed into the ground to form a tall edging around a vegetable cart. The tall panels of the fence are occasionally interrupted by octagonal cutouts with a beautiful, simple design.
 
A curved fence with lacquered black supports has a large gate that opens up to expose the backyard, complete with a beautiful aqua pool. The forested lot has plants growing right up to the fence, embracing the natural look favored by Japanese gardens.
Source: ZillowDigsTM
A curved fence with lacquered black supports  has a large gate that opens up to expose the backyard, complete with a beautiful aqua pool. The forested lot has plants growing right up to the fence, embracing the natural look favored by Japanese gardens.
 
Another example of a shorter bamboo edging fence next to a larger privacy fence. The staggered design of the edging gives this backyard an exotic atmosphere.
Another example of a shorter bamboo edging fence next to a larger privacy fence. The staggered design of the edging gives this backyard an exotic atmosphere.
 
Bamboo fencing isn't just for Zen gardens. This home has a combination of minimalist concrete fencing with bamboo slat fencing on one side. In a minimalist or industrial modern home, bamboo can add a much needed natural contrast.
Source: ZillowDigsTM
Bamboo fencing isn’t just for Zen gardens. This home has a combination of minimalist concrete fencing with bamboo slat fencing on one side. In a minimalist or industrial modern home, bamboo can add a much needed natural contrast.
 
If you aren't overly concerned with privacy and just prefer the decorative element of bamboo, this lovely open design might be perfect. The thin stalks of bamboo are nestled into a solid wood frame, providing a contrasting and decorative backdrop for the lush flower beds.
If you aren’t overly concerned with privacy and just prefer the decorative element of bamboo, this lovely open design might be perfect. The thin stalks of bamboo are nestled into a solid wood frame, providing a contrasting and decorative backdrop for the lush flower beds.
 
Another decorative bamboo fence, serving much the same function as the picket fences that are so common in the United States. Each pole is held together with dark ties, and the gate has a lovely diamond pattern.
Another decorative bamboo fence, serving much the same function as the picket fences that are so common in the United States. Each pole is held together with dark ties, and the gate has a lovely diamond pattern.
 
This decorative "picket" bamboo is attached to a dark stained solid wood gate and terminal posts, providing access to the lush back garden via a slightly overgrown flagstone pathway.
This decorative “picket” bamboo is attached to a dark stained solid wood gate and terminal posts, providing access to the lush back garden via a slightly overgrown flagstone pathway.
 
While we can see that as the fencing stretches towards the front of the home, it transitions from reed bamboo on concrete supports to a wooden privacy wall. The planting beds are raised as well, creating a sunken patio area.
Source: ZillowDigsTM
While we can see that as the fencing stretches towards the front of the home, it transitions from reed bamboo on concrete supports to a wooden privacy wall. The planting beds are raised as well, creating a sunken patio area.
 
This garden has a combination of both a harvested bamboo fence and a living bamboo fence. The green stalks of the live bamboo stretch upwards towards the sky in front of the regular bamboo fence, creating a double-layered privacy fence.
This garden has a combination of both a harvested bamboo fence and a living bamboo fence. The green stalks of the live bamboo stretch upwards towards the sky in front of the regular bamboo fence, creating a double-layered privacy fence.
 
Another double-layered fence, with a natural thick bamboo privacy fence supported by a taller black wrought iron security fence. A sunken planting bed is decorated by a lovely bamboo fountain with a stone basin.
Source: ZillowDigsTM

Another double-layered fence, with a natural thick bamboo privacy fence supported by a taller black wrought iron security fence. A sunken planting bed is decorated by a lovely bamboo fountain with a stone basin.

Bamboo can be used as a simple decorative barrier as well. This fence is used to separate a garden visually, and consists of thin bamboo stalks crossed in a triangular pattern. These fences can simply be pushed into the ground by way of installation.

Bamboo can be used as a simple decorative barrier as well. This fence is used to separate a garden visually, and consists of thin bamboo stalks crossed in a triangular pattern. These fences can simply be pushed into the ground by way of installation.

This is a beautiful, rustic example of a bamboo and reed fence. Thicker stalks of bamboo form horizontal support bands, while the interior is packed with dense reed bamboo to create a thick barrier.

This is a beautiful, rustic example of a bamboo and reed fence. Thicker stalks of bamboo form horizontal support bands, while the interior is packed with dense reed bamboo to create a thick barrier.

The panels of this bamboo fence are used to make this concrete fence taller and more decorative. Live bamboo is planted in front of it in a narrow trench, and with time, could form a living barrier as well.
Designed by: Jesse Im/bugonmyleaf
The panels of this bamboo fence are used to make this concrete fence taller and more decorative. Live bamboo is planted in front of it in a narrow trench, and with time, could form a living barrier as well.
 
A beautiful Zen garden with a tall bamboo fence. Unlike most bamboo fences, which have cut-off tops, this fence has pointed tops, similar to more western style fences.
Source: ZillowDigsTM
A beautiful Zen garden with a tall bamboo fence. Unlike most bamboo fences, which have cut-off tops, this fence has pointed tops, similar to more western style fences.
 
A beautiful and luxurious bamboo fence that shows off the many different shades bamboo can come in. Some stalks are mahogany, while others are the yellow natural color we usually expect from bamboo.
 
A tall, contiguous bamboo privacy fence screens in this beautiful, secluded outdoor shower. The lush landscaping adds additional privacy from any possible prying eyes.
Source: ZillowDigsTM
A tall, contiguous bamboo privacy fence screens this beautiful, secluded outdoor shower. The lush landscaping adds additional privacy from any possible prying eyes.
 
A tall mahogany stained bamboo privacy wall that shades this lovely patio from any neighbor’s eyes. The rich dark stain matches the rest of the wooden roof and supports of the patio.
 
This shorter version of a mahogany stained wooden fence is dressed up by a wealth of container gardens and ornamental trees placed in front of it. The taller trees and bushes add a little more privacy to the organic fence.
Source: Houzz
This shorter version of a mahogany stained wooden fence is dressed up by a wealth of container gardens and ornamental trees placed in front of it. The taller trees and bushes add a little more privacy to the organic fence.

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