Discover the benefits of bamboo cladding and decking, a durable and sustainable solution for Kiwi homes

If you’re searching for a sustainable and durable cladding and decking product, you’re not alone. For the owners of a recently completed home in Wanaka, this was a priority. Alongside the aforementioned qualities, the clients also wanted to find an alternative to the standard cladding options—something low-maintenance, good-looking, and affordable that would complement the other materials used in their home. 

The solution lay in Plantation Bamboo’s Bamboo X-treme Cladding and Decking products, a material that ticked all the right boxes. 

“The Bamboo X-treme Cladding softened and complimented the home’s exterior aesthetic, balancing the extensive use of steel and breaking the harsh lines with a natural timber and steel combination,” says Rob Yule of R&K Yule Builders, Wanaka.

So, why was Bamboo X-treme Cladding and Decking such a great solution for this project? ArchiPro caught up with Steve Roughan of Plantation Bamboo to learn more about the product.

A truly sustainable material 

The key reason Bamboo X-treme is so sustainable is, of course, the bamboo.

“Bamboo is actually a grass, and our Bamboo X-treme cladding and decking boards are made from the fast-growing Moso bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource that not only grows very fast — up to 1 metre per day — but does not result in deforestation after harvesting, as the plant does not die when the stems are harvested,” Steve explains.

Moso bamboo can be harvested in just three to five years — a dramatically short time frame when compared to the 80 years it takes for some timber species to be ready for harvest. Plus, unlike timber which requires re-planting to ensure a renewable forest, the mother bamboo plant continues to produce bamboo stems, even while other stems from the plant are harvested.

Though the growing and harvesting process is incredibly sustainable, Plantation Bamboo is also concerned about maintaining the product’s environmentally friendly status from the mill to the building site.

“Both our decking and cladding boards are a consistent 1.85m in length, with a unique end-matching tongue-in-groove join that is not possible with timber or plastic composite decking.  As the boards are straight and true, installers do not need to select varying lengths or worry about warped or bowing boards, resulting in less cutting and wastage on-site. Also, because the boards join together perfectly, installers only need to cut the boards at the end of a row,” Steve says.

(If your building project calls for alternative sizes, Steve assures Bamboo X-treme can be cut with a fine-tooth blade to create planks that fit your requirements.)

The material’s natural look and low-maintenance care routine also contribute to its sustainable status, with no need for chemical treatments or stains to achieve a gorgeous finish.

“Both the decking and cladding — each with a 25-year warranty — can be left to weather naturally for a lovely silver-grey look or oiled to create your preferred colour, if desired.”

Designed for durability and easy installation

It’s not just the sustainability credentials that draw builders, specifiers, and homeowners towards Bamboo X-treme — the product’s strength and durability are a major benefit. To achieve this durability, the bamboo used in Bamboo X-treme cladding and decking undergoes thermal modification.

“The Thermo-Density process is used to modify and remove the sugar molecules naturally present in untreated bamboo. With this treatment, the bamboo is no longer a food source for fungi and microorganisms. Furthermore, the process increases the density of the material, making the bamboo planks very hard and durable,” Steve explains.

The treatment process ensures the planks can easily withstand New Zealand's harsh weather conditions without warping or buckling.

Alongside durability, Bamboo X-treme is also designed for easy installation; its simple, invisible screw and fixing system is another reason why building professionals enjoy working with the product. 

“The stainless steel clips and screws supplied with the bamboo decking and cladding fit into grooves in the sides of the boards and are firmly screwed to the deck joists or cladding cavity battens. This means that you don’t need to directly fix (screw through the boards) and see unsightly screws or nails in the boards,” Steve says.

Made from the fastest growing plant in the world, with exceptional durability and simple installation, it’s easy to see why Bamboo X-treme is a great option for New Zealand building projects like the recently completed Wanaka home. 

“Our clients love the look and finish of the Bamboo X-treme cladding, and local builders and visitors have also commented on how impressed they are with the overall look and texture it gives the home.”

Learn more about Plantation Bamboo.