How To Judge The Quality Of Bamboo Decking

The senior engineer of outdoor strand woven bamboo decking teaches you how to scientifically detect and identify the quality of exterior bamboo decking. This test is applicable to all strand woven bamboo products, which are also known as fused bamboo and bamboo scrimber.

Do you know how to select high-quality products from the various bamboo decking products on the market?

In this article, you will discover how to identify quality issues such as cracking, mold, warping, and more before installing your decking. By being able to spot these potential problems, you can prevent significant economic losses due to the maintenance and replacement costs associated with poor-quality decking.

So that consumers can easily purchase deckings with a genuine 25-year warranty, and at the same time, eliminate inferior products from our sight.

Outdoor strand woven bamboo decking has become increasingly popular in recent years because it is recognized as a green and low-carbon environmentally friendly material.

It is known for its high hardness, high strength, corrosion resistance, and resistance to termites, which makes it a great choice for outdoor spaces such as parks, backyard villas, swimming pool decks, and seaside boardwalks.

To be able to withstand strong ultraviolet radiation, rainwater erosion, and termite damage, it is crucial to choose high-quality outdoor bamboo decking. Strand woven bamboo decking is more suitable for outdoor installation than plain-pressed or side-pressed decks.

Click here to learn the difference between strand woven bamboo and ordinary bamboo products.

Bamboo Decking Judgement

1，Confirm Production Process

In regards to this, you need to consult your supplier about whether they use hot press or cold press process.
For outdoor strand woven bamboo decking, choose those that use hot press process. Cold press process is more suitable for flooring that is used in indoor areas.
Through a combination of characteristics of phenolic resin used in the production of outdoor fused bamboo decking and repeated testing, it is concluded that the durability, stability, and bonding strength of bamboo decking made with hot press process are better than those made with cold press process.

2，Observe The Appearance

• Shape: Check if the product is deformed or if it is smooth with no warping.
• Method of determination: It’s usually not easy to see with the naked eye, but placing it flat on a horizontal surface can easily show whether or not the two sides of the board are level or if the ends are warped.

• Surface fullness: Observe if all six sides of the product are full, inferior products will have defects and small gaps,especially on the cross-section.
• Method of determination: it can be observed directly with the naked eye, for those who have the means, it’s best to have a professional use specialized tools to cut the decking in any part of its middle and then observe it. If the material surface is not solid and especially the sawed cross-section usually has damage and small holes, it must be chosen with caution.

•  Color: Observe the color of the surface of the product and the natural color of the cross-section of the product, if the color difference is huge, it means the supplier has significantly added color to the surface. This can easily lead to significant changes in color after a period of installation.

3，Density Test

After multiple rounds of repeated testing, we have discovered that when the density of the bamboo decking is between 1.2g-1.25g/cm3, the phenolic resin bonding function performs at its best.

Density affects the dimensional stability, corrosion resistance, durability, and lifespan of the product directly.

• Tools for measuring density:  tools such as a woodworking electric saw, a dial caliper, and a mini electronic scale (accuracy: g) can be used.

• Density calculation method: The density is calculated by measuring the weight (g) and volume (cm³) of the cut material and using the formula ρ=m/v.

Be cautious when purchasing ourdoor fused bamboo decking with a density that is not within the range of 1.2-1.25g/cm³.

ANOS® Polar Bamboo controls this important factor at the superior level, providing outdoor bamboo decking that can withstand any climate on Earth.

4, Moisture Content Test

If the moisture content of the board is too high, it will lose a significant amount of moisture on the surface when exposed to the sun for a long time, and it is more likely to deform and become warping, which could negatively impact safety for pedestrians.

• The test method: A special moisture content tester for boards must be used for detection. It’s important to note that when using the tester, the density adjustment button should be adjusted to 1.2-1.25g/cm³, otherwise, the testing data will have significant deviations from the actual moisture content of the board.

Throughout the entire production process of outdoor bamboo decking, controlling the moisture content is an extremely important task. Because the moisture content directly affects the bonding strength of the phenolic resin during board pressing, and the quality of the outdoor bamboo decking is directly proportional to the bonding strength of the phenolic resin.

The ideal moisture content for outdoor decking is between 8-15%. The closer the moisture content is between each deck and within the same batch, the better it reflects the factory’s control level of moisture content during production. I am also confident in telling every friend who likes outdoor bamboo decking that a factory with poor moisture control will not be able to produce high-quality outdoor bamboo decking with a long lifespan.
Different climates exist around the world such as tropical rainforest climate, tropical monsoon climate, tropical desert climate, Mediterranean climate, polar climate, etc. Different climatic environments have different requirements for moisture content, especially harsh environments have very high quality requirements for outdoor decking. ANOS® knows how to design products that meet the specific requirements of different climates based on the moisture content requirements.
So how to choose outdoor bamboo decking suitable for your country’s climate? I will write another article to tell you. Interested friends can also email me, I will give you the best solution for outdoor bamboo decking suitable for different climates.

5, Boiling Water Resistance Test

The cyclic boiling test is extremely important as it reflects the dimensional stability , weatherability, and lifespan of the bamboo decking. It is the most important parameter indicator in determining the performance of the bamboo decking. It simulates the effects of long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature changes that outdoor decking products may experience in various climates. The test involves immersing samples of the decking in boiling water for a certain period of time, then checking for signs of damage such as warping, cracking, or deformation. This test can help to identify any potential issues with the decking before it is installed, and ensure that the bamboo cladding will be able to withstand exposure to different environments and maintain its structural integrity over time.

• Test tools and material preparation

1. Stainless steel boiling pot
2. Induction cooker or other water heating appliances
3. bamboo deck samples with a length of about 10cm are ready for testing
4. Vernier caliper
5. Pliers or other grippers

• Testing method

1. Select a testing location that is out of reach of children and fill a stainless steel pot with 2/3 of water.
2. Use a caliper to measure the thickness and width of the bamboo decking before testing, and record the measurements.
3. Once the water is boiling, place the prepared bamboo decking in the pot and maintain a boiling state for 4 hours. During this time, monitor the water level in the pot and add water as needed to prevent dry boiling accidents.
4. After 4 hours, turn off the power and use clamps to remove the bamboo decking samples and cool it for 10 minutes.
5. Measure the thickness and width of the part of the decking that has changed the most, and calculate the percentage increase of the decking between before and after the test. This percentage is the expansion rate of the decking.

The process of cyclic boiling test involves measuring the thickness and width of a sample piece of decking before and after it is placed in boiling water for 4 hours. The percentage increase in thickness and width is calculated and compared to standards, with a width swelling rate of ≤1% and thickness swelling rate of ≤5% considered ideal.

Additionally, the appearance of the decking is evaluated for smoothness, minimal warping, and minimal shape change after the test. The smoother the flatness, the better, the fewer splits the cross-section, the better, and the smaller the shape change, the better.

6, Drying Test

• Temperature: 65°C
• Time: 20 hours
• Equipment: Constant temperature drying equipment

• Testing Method: After undergoing a 4-hour cycle boiling test, place the bamboo board to be tested in the constant temperature drying equipment when the temperature of the equipment reaches 65°C (149°F). Continue to dry at 65°C (149°F) high temperature for 20 hours. Observe the changes on the surface and cross-section of the bamboo board after drying.

The drying test mainly tests the anti-cracking performance of the product. Poor quality products will immediately reveal all their shortcomings after boiling for 4 hours and then drying for 20 hours, with more and larger cracks. The performance of superior products is fewer and smaller cracks.

Unlocking the Secrets of Evaluating Outdoor Bamboo Decking Quality

If the bamboo decking samples you are testing meet the above 6 standard test conditions, it means the basic properties of the decking are good. However, we also need to consider different climatic conditions and different application scenarios as they have different performance requirements for the product.

In addition to the above standard tests, we also have other deck testing methods for simulating harsher outdoor environments, such as anti-corrosion testing, anti-mold and anti-insect testing, extreme hot and cold weather testing, moisture resistance testing, fire resistance testing, and so on.

These testing methods can easily help you screen out the bamboo decking you need. If you do not know how to choose, you can send me an email, I will provide you these testing methods and my personal recommendations.

If this article has helped you, you can save it to your favorites for future reference and to find me. I have a passion for bamboo products and value ecological balance. I am committed to making environmentally friendly products and will continue to explore bamboo products in-depth, allowing bamboo to play a bigger role.

With that goal in mind, by spreading awareness of the versatility and sustainability of bamboo products, we can make a positive impact on the environment and help preserve the world’s forests. By reducing the use of plastic and promoting the use of bamboo, we can work together to protect the planet and secure a better future for generations to come.

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Reference

How ANOS® Bamboo Surpasses Other Strand Woven Bamboo？

How to Correctly Choose Bamboo Products in Different Climates？

Anti Mold Deck Solution