Top 5 Benefits of Bamboo Deck Boards

Long service life

High stability

Environmentally friendly

Natural appearance

No visible fastening

More and more architects, homeowners and project developers are discovering bamboo. Its natural look and durability are important advantages. In addition, bamboo can be used both indoors and outdoors. Bamboo flooring, bamboo cladding and bamboo furniture are just some of the possible applications. In addition, bamboo flooring for decks, stairs and walkways is becoming increasingly popular. This is not without reason.

1. Long-life bamboo flooring

The main advantage of bamboo flooring is its long service life. The service life of natural bamboo flooring is comparable to that of ipe and other high-quality hardwoods.

2.High Stability

Wood deforms under the influence of moisture. When wood gets wet, it expands and cracks, and when it dries it shrinks. For each type of wood, it reacts to a different degree. Softwood flooring such as pine and spruce can sometimes swell by as much as 10 percent, while bamboo is known for its high stability. Only hardwood, and more specifically ipe, comes close to bamboo on this issue. The high stability of bamboo flooring offers the following advantages: the planks stay beautiful for a long time and can be installed in a clean pattern. In addition, the end-matching system on both ends allows the boards to be installed together without gaps, which definitely enhances the look of the deck.

3. Eco-friendly bamboo flooring

Bamboo grows faster than any other plant and can grow up to 20 meters tall. It takes about 4 to 5 years to harvest bamboo. With hardwoods, this usually only happens after 50 to 100 years, which means that the risk of deforestation is high. Bamboo is virtually inexhaustible and can store large amounts of carbon dioxide, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to materials such as composites and plastics, as well as to tropical hardwoods. Read more about eco-friendly bamboo decking.

4. Natural look and feel

Bamboo decking provides a natural look to a garden or patio, contrasting with the use of plastic or composite materials for example. Wood and bamboo give a sense of tranquility and ambience, they are timeless and create a warm look. Browse through the myriad of inspirational projects to see what bamboo flooring looks like in a real installation.

5. No visible fastening

Due to the high stability of bamboo flooring, only a small space is needed between the boards. On top of that, bamboo flooring can be fitted with special fasteners, so there are no visible fasteners for the boards.

Our comparison tool helps you compare different flooring options by comparing their pros and cons.

Compare more flooring materials

Top 5 Disadvantages of Bamboo Flooring

Price

Relatively heavy

Produced in China

Only available in one color

Maintenance

In addition to the advantages of bamboo flooring, there are also some disadvantages. For example, high-quality bamboo is not cheap and the flooring is only available in a single color. In addition, bamboo flooring is relatively heavy, which must be taken into account when creating substructures. Other objections stem mainly from ignorance about the product. After all, ignorance is bliss. That’s why the disadvantages of bamboo flooring deserve some additional explanation.

1. Price

Quality comes at a price. Bamboo is not cheap, certainly when compared to softwood and lesser quality hardwood flooring. The same applies when compared to laminate and synthetic flooring. However, the price of bamboo flooring is roughly the same as the price of quality hardwood flooring. As a result, bamboo and quality hardwood are often considered exclusive. In addition, bamboo flooring lasts 15 years longer than cork.

2. Heavier

Bamboo flooring is 1.85 meters long, while hardwood is usually 5 to 6 meters long. This is not a disadvantage when transporting planks, so loose bamboo flooring weighs on average 5 to 6 kilograms. However, bamboo flooring is relatively heavy compared to wood and plastic. For gardens or terraces this does not usually cause any problems, but for roof terraces or balconies it can cause problems. Therefore, it is necessary to make preliminary calculations as to whether the roof or balcony is suitable to bear the weight of the decking, just as with terrace tiles. In addition, always ensure a good substructure for bamboo decking.

3. Production in China

Unfortunately, most of the bamboo used for the production of bamboo decking is not grown in Europe or North America, but in China. As a result, many people are concerned about CO2 emissions, the working conditions in the factories and the quality of the product. Since not all bamboo flooring manufacturers have the same stringent quality and environmental requirements, it is important to pay close attention to labeling and certification.

4. Only two colors available

Bamboo flooring is currently only available in one color. Due to UV radiation, the boards will discolor after installation, changing from brown to dark brown during installation and to gray after a few months. Without maintenance, the aging will continue. However, after about 3 months, the floors can be treated with oil to provide them with the desired color. Browse through the myriad of inspirational projects to see what bamboo flooring looks like in a real installation.

5. Maintenance

Wooden floors require maintenance. This certainly applies to bamboo floors as well. This is the only way they can withstand heavy use, water and different types of weather conditions. With regular cleaning and oiling (MOSO recommends this be done annually), bamboo decks can maintain their excellent quality and beautiful appearance. Read this blog on how to maintain your bamboo deck. ®

Bamboo flooring has both advantages and disadvantages. The relatively high price and necessary maintenance of bamboo flooring are some of the drawbacks when compared to the natural look and long life of bamboo. If you are looking for the best, then bamboo flooring is definitely a good choice. Unfortunately, if your budget is not that high, you will have to make concessions and perhaps consider composites, plastics, or settle for a lower quality wood species.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)