Bamboo has long been used as a building material in some countries, in everything from homes to boats. In recent years, its durability and environmentally friendly qualities have made it more appealing in the United States.

Jon Nunan, author of the 2010 book "The Complete Guide to Alternative Home Building Materials & Methods," says most bamboo species grow in Central America or Southeast Asia. Not all of them are suitable for construction. Nick Gromicko, writing for the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, says only 10 to 15 percent of more than 1,000 distinct species of the hardy grass can be used for structural components.

Nunan says bamboo has become more popular as a flooring material or atmospheric element in the home, but it is still not widely used in construction. Jennifer Chu, writing for MIT News, said last year that scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are researching how small pieces of bamboo can be fused for a composite material similar to plywood.

Certain types of bamboo can prove to be especially resilient, however. Judith Goldsmith, writing for the Permaculture Research Institute, says bamboo's strength is comparable to steel in tension and superior to concrete in compression. Nunan says the strength of bamboo allows it to be used as a primary building component, a feature to strengthen homes built with other materials, or as a roofing material.

Bamboo advocates also say that the material's rapid growth makes it more eco-friendly than hardwood. Nunan says that while woods such as oak and walnut require 50 years or more of growth before they can be harvested, bamboo reaches maturity after only five or six years.

Gromicko says bamboo can be used for numerous purposes, from reinforcing concrete to pipes. Its flexibility allows it to be shaped as it grows, so that it can easily be used for an arch or other curving component.

Bamboo is renowned for its ability to stand up to natural disasters. Its shock resistant qualities are especially usefully for withstanding earthquakes. Goldsmith says this was evident in 1999, when an earthquake in Colombia leveled numerous modern buildings while older buildings with bamboo frames were left standing. She says bamboo is also a useful material for strengthening homes against hurricane damage.

Since bamboo consists of a hollow cylinder, it is a more lightweight building material than other options. Gromicko says that this quality, along with the ability to use simple hand tools to build with bamboo, allows construction to proceed more quickly.

Bamboo is not without its disadvantages, however. Stéphane Schröder, writing for the Dutch bamboo exporter Guadua Bamboo, says anyone thinking about building with bamboo has to consider how much it will cost to get the material from a reliable supplier. You'll also want to find a contractor who is experienced with bamboo construction, and this might prove to be a challenge.

Gromicko says bamboo can only reliably support weight in certain ways. He says pieces laid widthwise will not be able to bear substantial loads, and that only the straightest pieces should be used for supports. Nodes and braces are recommended to help distribute weight and retain structural integrity.

It can also be difficult to join bamboo pieces together. Goldsmith says this is sometimes done with rope or pins, and that expansion and contraction caused by differing moisture levels will cause these connections to loosen. She says using triangular supports and mortar in the design will help prevent this issue.

Some more modern forms of connection will still be troublesome. Gromicko says bamboo is vulnerable to splitting if nails or screws are driven through it.

Pest infestation is a major concern with bamboo. Schröder says the material contains high starch levels, which can attract termites or powder-post beetles. Goldsmith says the addition of borax to bamboo, either as it grows or after it has been harvested, can help alleviate this issue.

Other treatments are also necessary for bamboo to be reliable. Gromicko says untreated bamboo is more likely to break down after contact with high levels of moisture. In addition to the treatments, the waxy coating of bamboo makes it difficult to add paint or stain.

Anyone who considers bamboo as a building material should be aware of both the advantages and disadvantages. If you determine that the material is right for your home and that you are able to get the proper treatments and construction methods, bamboo can add a stunning and useful element to your home.