Bamboo decking or deck boards are becoming more and more popular. However, not everyone is convinced of bamboo as an alternative to hardwood or composite. It&#;s time to list the pros and cons of bamboo decking.
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Advantages of bamboo decking boards
- Long service life
- High stability
- Environmentally friendly
- Natural look
- No visible fastening
Disadvantages of bamboo decking boards
- Price
- Relatively heavy
- Production in China
- Only available in one colour
- Maintenance
Use our comparison tool to compare bamboo decking with wood, composite or plastic decking for a terrace.
The five main advantages of bamboo deck boards
- Long lifespan
- High stability
- Environmentally friendly
- Natural look
- No visible fastening
More and more architects, homeowners and project developers are discovering bamboo. Its natural look and durability are important advantages. Moreover, bamboo can be used both indoors and outdoors. Bamboo flooring, bamboo cladding and bamboo furniture are just a few of the possible applications. In addition, the popularity of bamboo decking boards for terraces, stairs and walkways is growing. And that is not without reason.
1. Long lifespan bamboo decking
The main advantage of bamboo decking is its long service life. The lifespan of natural bamboo decking is comparable to high quality hardwood, such as ipe, and the MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® range even comes with a guarantee period of 25 years.
2. High stability
Wood deforms under the influence of moisture. When wood becomes damp it expands and can crack, when dry it shrinks. The extent to which it reacts is different for each type of wood. Soft wood decking boards, such as pine and spruce, sometimes expand by up to 10%, while bamboo is known for its high stability. Only hardwood, and more specifically ipe, come close to bamboo on this matter. The high stability of bamboo decking has, among other things, the advantage that the boards remain beautiful for a longer period of time and can be installed in clean patterns. In addition, the end-match system at the ends allows for the boards to be installed together without a gap, which definitely enhances the appearance of the terrace.
3. Environmentally friendly bamboo decking boards
Bamboo grows faster than any other plant and can grow up to 20 metres high. It takes about 4 to 5 years before bamboo can be harvested. With hardwood, this is often only the case after 50 to 100 years, which means there is a high risk of deforestation. Bamboo is virtually inexhaustible, stores a lot of CO2 and is therefore an environmentally friendly alternative to materials such as composite and plastic, but also to tropical hardwood. Read more about environmentally friendly bamboo deck boards.
4. Natural look and feel
Bamboo decking gives a natural look to a garden or terrace in contrast to the use of, for example, plastic or composite. Wood and also bamboo provide a sense of peace and ambiance, they are timeless and create a warm appearance. Browse through countless inspiration projects to see how bamboo decking looks in real installations.
5. No visible fastening
Due to the high stability of bamboo decking boards, only little space is needed between the boards. In addition to this, bamboo decking boards can be fitted with special fasteners so the fastening of the boards is not visible.
Our comparison tool helps you compare different options for decking boards by comparing their pros and cons.
The five main disadvantages of bamboo decking
- Price
- Relatively heavy
- Production in China
- Only available in one colour
- Maintenance
In addition to the advantages of bamboo decking, there are also some disadvantages. For example, high-quality bamboo does not come cheap and the decking boards are available in a single colour. Additionally, bamboo decking boards are relatively heavy, something that must be taken into account when creating the substructure. Other objections mainly arise from ignorance about the product. After all, ignorance is a bliss. That is why the disadvantages of bamboo decking boards deserve some extra explanation.
1. The price
Quality comes at a price. Bamboo is not cheap, certainly when compared to softwoods and decking of lesser quality hardwoods. The same applies when compared to composite and synthetic decking. However, the price of bamboo decking is about the same as decking boards of a good quality hardwood. As a result, bamboo and good hardwoods are often considered to be exclusive. In addition, bamboo decking boards last up to 15 years longer than, for example, softwoods.
2. Relatively heavy
Bamboo decking boards are supplied in a length of 1.85 metres, while hardwood is often as long as 5 to 6 metres. This is not a disadvantage when transporting the boards and therefore the weight of a loose bamboo decking board is on average 5 to 6 kilograms. But compared to wood and plastic, bamboo decking boards are relatively heavy. For a garden or terrace this usually does not cause any problems, but for a roof terrace or balcony it can cause problems. Therefore, initial calculations regarding whether the roof or balcony is suitable to bear the weight of the decking is necessary, as is necessary with terrace tiles. Additionally, always ensure a good substructure for a bamboo terrace.
3. Production in China
Unfortunately, most of the bamboo for the production of bamboo decking does not grow in Europe or North America, but in China. As a result, many are worried about CO2 emissions, the working conditions in the factories and the quality of the product. As not all producers of bamboo decking boards have the same strict quality and environmental requirements, it is important to pay close attention to the labels and certifications.
MOSO® has conducted several LCA reports to evaluate the CO2 footprint of bamboo. This shows that MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® Decking is CO2 neutral during the product lifespan. The amount of CO2 that bamboo absorbs during growth is more than the emission of CO2 due to production and transport.
4. Only available in two colours
Bamboo decking boards are only available in one colour for the time being. The boards will change colour after installation, due to UV radiation, from brown to dark brown during installation to grey a few months later. Without maintenance, the aging will continue. After about 3 months, however, it is possible to treat the decking boards with oil, providing them with the desired colour. Browse through countless inspiration projects to see how bamboo decking looks in real installations.
5. Maintenance
Wooden decking boards require maintenance. This certainly applies to bamboo decking boards as well. This is the only way they can withstand intensive use, water and different types of weather conditions. By regularly cleaning and oiling the decking boards (MOSO® advises to do this annually) bamboo decking boards retain their excellent quality and beautiful appearance. Read this blog about how to maintain a bamboo deck.
Bamboo decking has both advantages and disadvantages. In contrast to the natural look and the long life span of bamboo, the relatively high price and the necessary maintenance of bamboo decking are some of the disadvantages. If you strive for the very best, then bamboo decking is definitely a good option. If, unfortunately, your budget is not as high, you will have to make concessions and perhaps look at composite, plastic or settle for a lower quality wood species.
Would you like to compare bamboo decking with hardwood, composite or plastic? Use our comparison tool to make the right choice.
The global bamboo flooring market is valued at $1,249 million and is expected to reach $1,549 by the end of . Bamboo flooring is receiving more attention in recent years, particularly among homeowners looking for environmentally friendly and sustainable building materials.
Easy to maintain and install, bamboo offers a modern and natural aesthetic that could boost real estate value to a home, and the cost of bamboo flooring is comparable to other popular floor types. Unlike trees, bamboo stalks can have a five to six harvest cycle, making them significantly more sustainable. As flooring, bamboo shares many of the same pros and cons as hardwood flooring, with a few more advantages to its favor.
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Advantages of Bamboo Flooring
Although bamboo is the most appealing to consumers interested in using natural, renewable building materials, it boasts plenty of benefits that make it an attractive choice to anyone looking at flooring options.
- Environmentally friendly
- Easy maintenance
- Refinishing potential
- Durability
- DIY-Friendly
- Pest resistant
Environmentally Friendly
Traditional hardwood is made from oaks, rock maple and hickory trees, which can take around 20 years to mature before harvesting is possible. On the other hand, bamboo is considered a grass, growing and developing in a five to seven-year cycle and can be harvested without replanting the root system.
Easy Maintenance
Bamboo floors are relatively easy to maintain. Sweeping and vacuuming regularly to remove dust and debris should suffice. An occasional cleanse with a bamboo floor cleaner or a mild soap and water solution can help it look cleaner.
Refinishing Potential
Over time, bamboo can get scratched and discolored. Fortunately, the surface is easy to refinish by sanding it down and applying a new coating seal. Refinishing the top layer can bring a new, even look to the floor again, protecting it from future damage. Keep in mind that engineered bamboo flooring cannot be refinished.
Durability
Bamboo flooring is beneficial for areas with high traffic like living rooms, kitchens and entryways. It is naturally resistant to abrasion caused by footwork and the impact of fallen objects. Strand woven bamboo flooring weaves the grass fibers together, creating an interlocking pattern that can be three times stronger than other types of bamboo flooring.
DIY-Friendly
DIYers can cut installation costs depending on the type of bamboo flooring they use. Floating bamboo planks use a &#;click-lock&#; system that&#;s easier to install and can be done without professional assistance. This installation method is quick and effortless, and it also allows the floor to expand and contract as humidity levels change in the room.
Pest Resistant
Bamboo naturally has few pests. Even during harvesting, it requires little use of pesticides. Some of the chemicals used to treat bamboo flooring make digestion impossible for termites. Overall, most types of bamboo flooring are pet resistant. In addition, bamboo is inhospitable to dust mites and repels dust and pollen, and it makes an excellent choice for allergy-prone homeowners.
Disadvantages of Flooring
On the downside, bamboo flooring shares many disadvantages with hardwood floors. Both are susceptible to scratches and require special sealants to protect against water. For anyone considering bamboo flooring options, these are some cons to consider.
Scratch Prone
While bamboo is highly durable, its surface can easily scratch, just like most wood floors. Carbonized bamboo flooring, which has a darker tone, is remarkably more susceptible to scratching too. Placing felt pads on furniture and refinishing the bamboo floor from time to time can extend the life of this flooring and reduce the appearance of scratches.
Limited Styles
Despite bamboo being trendy flooring material, it has many style limitations. Aesthetically, bamboo flooring can adapt to different styles, though it&#;s best suited to match contemporary and Scandinavian design styles. Most bamboo floorings only have vertical and horizontal grains, in limited finishes and tones that might not suit all interior decor settings.
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THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
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Moisture Sensitive
Since bamboo is grass, humidity affects it more severely than it does hardwood flooring. If the flooring is used in a very humid climate or rooms with drastic climate changes, the moisture in there is likely to cause the floor planks to swell and buckle.
In dry environments, the planks can shrink significantly, making them more likely to crack under extremely low humidity. For this reason, we don&#;t recommend bamboo flooring for bathrooms or homes with drastic shifts in humidity. A humidity monitor can help maintain air moisture levels when seasonal temperatures shift.
Potentially Toxic
Low-quality bamboo can contain traces of urea-formaldehyde. Levels of toxins will vary on the resin adhesive used and how the bamboo planks are manufactured. Cheaper products may have higher levels, while more expensive options may use alternative materials for their resins. Still, the amount of formaldehyde found in bamboo flooring is very similar to that found in engineering hardwood flooring and it only tends to be problematic for sensitive individuals.
Unreliable Grading
There isn&#;t an effective and reliable grading system when it comes to bamboo planks. Retailers usually sort them into grade A and grade B, but this is an arbitrary system that means different things to different retailers. It has little to do with the quality of the bamboo. Consequently, it is important to find a reputable and reliable flooring dealer to ensure you&#;re getting high-quality materials.
In many ways, bamboo flooring performs the same way as hardwood; some might say it&#;s superior. For the most part, bamboo is a non-allergenic, pest-resistant and sustainable material that offers many advantages. Working with reliable and reputable flooring dealers can help you find bamboo flooring products that work around the various disadvantages and guarantee top-quality material.
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