The importance of Regular Maintenance

How does the bamboo product stand up to the elements? Surely something that grows in a tropical Asian climate will not withstand western winters? Well in hot or moist climates – bamboo is going to perform better than wood. As it is grown in the tropics of Asia which has developed a natural resistance to the elements.  

Though it is an amazing material, bamboo does require some maintenance to keep its almost supernatural state. The amount of work required is no more than you would need to do for a hardwood deck and the actual maintenance is very similar.

There are two main options when it comes to protecting and maintaining bamboo decking-Staining and sealing.

It can be very tempting to simple seal the bamboo with a clear sealant and enjoy its natural beauty. This will be great for a few years – but, like any natural material, bamboo will color fade as time goes, regardless of how much sealant you use. It is just as susceptible to the ultraviolet rays of the sun as wood.

Most owners decide to go for a compromise of a pigmented stain. This contains particles that will reflect much of the UV light to maintain the color of the bamboo. The great thing about the pigmented stains is that they come in a variety of transparency. So the color will only slightly change (but they will not be as effective at reducing the suns bleaching effect). Or you can get some that are almost paint like in the amount they change the color (These will not actually paint over the bamboo – you will still see the strands – but they will keep bamboo look the same year after year).

Many people opt to use specialized outdoor water-base oil stains that are really only used for bamboo. They are slightly more expensive than wood stains, but deliver awesome results. They provide the maximum amount of transparency, with a good amount of UV reflecting pigment. This means you will only slightly change the color of your bamboo but get sunblock quality protection. This example of freshly stained bamboo with water-based stain looks as good as new.

Treatments need to be applied 6 months or once a years, just like wood and should not be skipped. We suggest doing the first maintenance after installation. Afterward one maintenance every six months. Maintenance keeps bamboo panels in good condition and increases the service life. The oil coating keeps bamboo panels from outdoor damage. And maintenance is very easy.