Will Bamboo Decking Get Hot in Summer?

Summer is finally here, it is the season when homeowners enjoy their outdoor living spaces the most. It’s also the time of year when decks get the most exposure to direct sunlight. With sunshine all day, your deck may become hot, causing discomfort to your bear feet as you walk across it or making you feel warmer when sitting on it.

So if you're planning on building an outdoor living space, it is very important to choose the right material. Especially If you live in a hotter climate, you need to make sure you choose a decking material that will “keep its cool” during the summer months. 

When you're looking for the ultimate decking that stays cooler in the summer, there is not a better option than bamboo. Bamboo decking packs in a lot of features and is one of the top choices for many reasons. It's a very dense plank which makes it incredibly durable and causes it retains less heat than its counterparts.

Does that mean bamboo will not get hot in summer? No, any decking material will feel warm if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. However, bamboo decking can stay cooler for longer. Unlike composite decking, which can become very hot due to the plastic content, bamboo decking maintains a comfortable temperature. It will transfer heat, which keeps the decking surface at a temperature bearable to human skin.

Thermo-treated bamboo will not shrink and swell as much as solid wood species, providing a very stable solution for outdoor applications, especially decking in winter or summer. So if you’re lucky enough to have a south-facing garden and a deck that soaks up direct sunlight, we’d always recommend choosing eco bamboo decking.

There are also some tips to better keep your bamboo decking cool during the summer months so you can enjoy it.

First, be savvy with your choice of color. Soft hues reflect heat from the sun, so lighter color, such as light brown, absorb less heat than darker charcoals and blacks. Second, keep your garden hose on your deck during the day and spray off the boards if they get too hot. Third, creating shade is the most excellent method to keep your deck cool. You can buy an umbrella or a retractable awning if you don’t want to give up all of your suns. Consider a permanent feature like a patio cover or pergola if you’re willing to offer more shade.

To truly find out what is too hot to handle when it comes to your new deck, we highly recommend taking a few test boards home during the hotter days and figuring out what material doesn't get too hot. If you still have questions about what decking will work best for you, be sure to contact us for more details.