Banana Leaf for Furniture and Handicraft

We know the banana tree as the fruit crop. The banana is a very popular fruit for human's lives. But apparently the banana tree also has other usefulness; the banana leaves can be utilized as material for handicrafts and furniture products. The banana tree actually is not a "real tree." He does not have a wood stem structure; it consists of many leaves arranged in layers to form a large trunk. If the leaves are dried, then we will obtain many thin sheets of fibers that are soft and elastic.
The dried banana sheet can be cut, slashed, stemmed, and woven to produce furniture and handicraft products. Banana leaf can substitute rattan, water hyacinth, or pandanus to form webbing, mat, braid, plait, or other cane work. The uses of the banana leaf in the furniture manufacturers are inspired by the handicraft industry. The handicraft industry has been using the banana leaf to make many handicraft products, such as buckets, baskets, bags, wallets, etc. With its elastic form and unique appearance, the banana leaf is a good material to make many handicraft products.

In the furniture industry, banana leaf can be used to make furniture parts that need flexibility, such as seats, upholstery, back chairs, etc. Since it has a unique appearance, it can also be used as the decorative element for furniture products. With modern woodworking technology, the banana can be cut and slashed and then glued on the wood panel, m.d.f., or particle board to produce panel boards with a unique appearance. The banana leaf panel can be used as the drawer’s front, headboard, or even tabletop in the cabinet to produce the unique and attractive product. The banana leaf in combination with wood furniture will bring the natural, rustic, unique, and attractive appearance to the furniture. 

banana leaf chair

The processing of banana leaf.
 
The banana leaves have to pass a series of processes before they can be used in the woodworking or handicraft industry. After the banana tree is cut, it has to be unrolled to get the leaf sheets. The sheets then are dried to lower their moisture content. The drying of the banana leaves is mostly done by the seasoning in the sunlight, although we can open it in the kiln dry if necessary. The utility of the banana is mostly done by craftsmen who do not have kilns instead of the modern woodworking industry. The dry banana leaves then need to be treated with the anti-insect and anti-fungal chemicals to prevent the fungal or insect attack. In the woodworking industry, the dry banana leaf can be cut, slashed, woven, glued, or laminated to be used for furniture parts.

banana leaves for wicker

Finishing for the banana leaf.
 
This banana leaf forms the attractive appearance without any finishing. The impressions of natural, rustic, and primitive are the massages brought by the leaf. We can find many banana leaf products marketed in unfinished condition. However, to provide better protection and look, we can finish it with proper style. The simple finish with the rustic or antique style is the most appropriate. Finishing with a thin stain or the natural color with a thin layer of coating is the most common. Too thick finishing layer or paint should be avoided because it could conflict with its natural and rustic appearance. The thick coating layer also increases the risk of adhesion problems. The elasticity of the banana leaves limits the coating thickness. The film must be thin enough to accept the leaf movement without cracking. The finishing with glaze application can also be used to make the antique and “life” look. Glaze to fill and color the inside part will enhance the webbing to bring more life and an attractive appearance.
The next consideration is the wax at the banana leaf that could interfere with the finishing material application. The adhesion problem is the common problem found in the banana leaf finish. To minimize the adhesion problem, then we need the proper process and proper coating material. Avoid too-thick finishing film since it will increase the risk of adhesion problems. Fortunately, the finishing material industry has developed special material for this finish tart called cane sealer. The cane sealer is the special coating to handle the wax problem in some waxy substrates, such as cane rattan, water hyacinth, and pandanus. According to my experience, this material also works quite well to handle the banana leaves.