Outside Decking Comparisons
Why MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® Decking is the Best Green Choice
Choosing a Direction
True North Decision Making
An outdoor deck requires rigid, durable materials that offer utility, are easy to maintain, add equity, and are affordable. Yet decking can also be designed/produced with a minimal carbon footprint, benefitting the planet. To accomplish this, petroleum-derived products must be kept to a minimum, while keeping an eye on installation longevity and end-of-life cycle that is earth friendly. Bamboo products are known for their carbon-positive qualities such as sequestration (the isolation of a chemical, carbon, or other substance) and sustainable farming. In partnering with MOSO® Bamboo, Products Direct, LLC has set our course for a sustainable future. We invite you to join us!
The outdoor decking materials manufacturer comparison table below helps differentiate products based on design requirements. Most do not include carbon-neutral outcomes. Trends are beginning to shift toward carbon neutrality from cradle to gate (end-of-life). This is evidenced in consumer taste, designer material choices, and project specifications.
Outdoor Decking Material Comparison Table: Composite vs PVC vs Softwoods vs Hardwoods vs Bamboo
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Bamboo Forests
Fossil Fuels
PVC Pellets
Deciduous Forests
Ipê Tropical Forests
- Carbon Negative
- Durable: Class 1, EN 350
- Fire Rating: WUI Certified
- Easy Installation System
- Stable: Won't Buckle or Bow
- Won't Crack or Splinter
- Cooler on Feet and Paws
- Low Maintenance
- Product Consistency
- 30-year Warranty
- High Control of Look and Feel
- Low Maintenance
- Acrylic Capping for Fade Resistance
- Variety of Color Choice
- Can be Cut, Milled, Shaped & Routed
- High Control of Look and Feel
- Low Maintenance
- Acrylic Capping for Fade Resistance
- Variety of Color Choice
- Can be Cut, Milled, Shaped & Routed
- Low Cost
- Readily Available
- A Natural Material
- Easy to Work With
- Traditional Grain Patterns
- Aesthetically Beautiful
- Very Durable
- Stable Over Long Periods
- Exceptionally Hard
- Traditional Grain Patterns
- New Market Entrant
- Limited Colors
- Doesn't Have Traditional Grain
- Savings Spread over Lifetime
- Bamboo Not Produced Locally
- Carbon Positive
- Hot Surface Due to Sun for Pets & People
- Can Sag Over Time
- Water Infiltration
- Discoloration
- Installation is Challenging
- Carbon Positive
- Not Dimensionally Stable over Time
- Can Sag Over Time
- Gets Brittle Over Time
- Expensive
- Planks Cannot Be Cantilevered
- Installation is Challenging
- Susceptible to Movement
- Carbon Positive
- Short Deck-Life Expectancy
- Open Cell Structure allows Moisture Penetration
- Subject to Deformation from Moisture
- Carbon Positive
- Expensive
- Sourced from Rain Forest
- Consistency
- Extraction
- Manufacture
- Use
- End-of-Life
- Pruned Managed Groves
- Split, Heat Treat, Glue & Press
- Planks, Trim & Railings
- Landfill/Burn
- Fossil Fuels / Reclaimed Plastics
- Shredding, Heat & Extrusion
- Planks and Trim
- Land Disposal
- Fossil Fuel
- Distillation/Extrusion
- Planks, Trim & Railings
- Landfill Disposal
- Managed Forests
- Cut & Mill & Chemical Treat
- Planks, Trim & Railings
- Landfill Disposal
- Old Growth Harvest
- Cut & Mill
- Planks, Trim & Railings
- Landfill/Burn
The nature of the product means it is broadly available geographically. Most softwoods used grow rapidly in a managed forest. Consistency in quality and dimensional stability are known issues. Bugs like it, too, so it has to be protected with Copper-based compounds to make it less yummy.
Bamboo Specimen
Composite Decking
Capped Polymer
Oak Specimen
Ipê Specimen
Outdoor Decking Materials Manufacturer Comparisons
The materials table below shows aggregate products by manufacturer, rather than based on design requirements, as in the table above. Petroleum-based product lines cannot be carbon neutral. Even plastic products when recycled are not Carbon-Negative products. Decking with a 30-year surface warranty will be retired in 2050-2060 and the world will be well into the Net-Zero/Carbon Neutral economy by then. The comparison table below provides a way to view this trend. Bamboo decking offers an opportunity to step into a more sustainable future. To view enlargements of the images below, click here.
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- Private 20+ Years
- Revenue 200M +
- Design: Netherlands; Production: China
- Spec Work, Lumber Yards Distribution & Internet
- Wholesale Distribution & Online Sales
- Timbertech® Parent Company
- Publicly Traded: AZEK®
- Annual Revenue 794MM
- Production in OH, PA, and MN
- Big Box Distribution
- Publicly Traded FBHS
- Fiberon®: Division of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.
- Annual Revenue 127MM
- Production in NC and ID
- Big Box Distribution
- Publicly Traded Trex®
- Revenue 780MM
- Production VA, NV, MN
- Wholesale Distribution & Big Box stores
- Distributed widely
- Sourced broadly
- Largest percent of decking construction
- Most Big-Box stores & Lumber Yards
- Proven solution but short life
- Subsidiary of Westlake, WLK Royal Building SolutionsOwns Zuir Brand Canada
- Revenue: subsidiary of 6 Billion+ Company
- 3rd largest PVC producer globally
- The largest extruder of cellular PVC components in North America
- Wholesale Distribution & Big-Box stores
Setting Your Requirements for Outdoor Decking Specifications
The Opportunity with Plastics?
- Plastics offer no carbon capture because they are a mined material. The very existence of a plastic represents carbon expansion.
- Plastics do not breakdown in composition, they only decrease in size as they become compressed.
- Plastics are now found everywhere in the world, even the most remote environments. They are in our food and water, and have (sadly) been found in hundreds of species of marine life.
- Everyday plastic items that end up as waste will take hundreds of years to degrade in nature—negatively impacting ecosystems.
- Plastics recycling always involves down cycling. What is not often discussed is that plastics processing requires additional virgin plastic additives and blending to maintain minimal product requirements in the recycled products.
- Reducing demand is the only process that can effectively curtail plastic production in modern economies.
Bamboo is a non-plastic alternative. It is non-toxic to work with, to live with, and to recycle. The bamboo plant sequesters carbon, while the bamboo decking product banks carbon. This means that bamboo products are a carbon neutral choice with none of the concerns associated with plastics. We have an opportunity to make a difference, and it lies in MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® Decking and Building products.
In Summary: Have you chosen your best outdoor decking material?
The best outdoor decking for you will make you feel good on many levels. You will love the look and feel of it. You will enjoy a sense of satisfaction from having made a value-added purchase. And, you may experience a sense of status that comes from having created a lovely eco-friendly space. But, when considering the best decking material for your home, the whole life-cycle-analysis is important. Do you know the costs (including environmental impact) of your decking solution, from cradle to end-of-life?
Manufacturers of petroleum-based decking products focus on the recycling of the plastics; and usually not on the end-of-life disposal process which actually creates a demand for more plastics.
Exotic wood decking presents an ecosystem disruption problem—rainforest harvesting involves fragile ecosystems and habitats. Growth cycles are long, taking decades for replenishment. Pressure-treated softwoods, familiar to North American markets, have a short expected lifespan and an end-of-life disposal problem.
Only a fast growing grass like Bamboo, can fit easily into a sustainable Life-Cycle scheme that supports a circular economy at the current rates of consumption. Fast-growing Bamboo even adds credits to the environmental balance sheet by restoring degraded land and releasing oxygen back into the environment while sequestering carbon in the plant fiber as well as in durable end products. No other decking product offers the types of environmental benefits that MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® does. Read more about MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® in this carbon sequestration study.
Cheat Sheet: Why MOSO® Bamboo X-treme®Decking is the Best-Green choice.
Why MOSO®?
MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking and siding products score favorable ratings in five reference categories for:
- Best durability (Class 1)
- Fire rating (decking Class Bfl-s1; cladding Class B-s1-d0 | EN 13501-1; flame spread index Class A | ASTM E84)
- Solar reflectance (SR: 32 ASTM C 1549; SRI: Low 27, Medium 30, High 33 ASTM E1980)
- WUI certification (meets California fire code requirements for Wildland Urban Interface zone)
- Fungi resistant against superficial fungi Class 0 (EN 152); use/risk Class 4 (EN 335)
- CO2 Neutral over the full life cycle (Official LCA and carbon footprint studies by Technical University Delft | ISO 14040/44).
Highly stable as a result of the Thermo-Density® process that pairs heat-treatment at 200ºC with compression, MOSO® boards can be end-matched (tongue and groove on ends) and allow joints to float between joists.
Application & Use
MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking and cladding products can be used in any climate and numerous applications such as exterior decks and walkways, fences, wall coverings, soffits, fascia, and more. You are limited only by your imagination.
- Where can I Install MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking?
- MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking products can be used in any exterior application, regardless of temperature extremes, humidity, and exposure to the elements. Sun and/or water exposure will not harm it. It does not overheat like other decking materials, so it is safe underfoot for pets and children. You can see some of our exterior applications in our MOSO® X-treme® photo gallery.
- Is MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking good for commercial settings?
- Yes. MOSO® X-treme® has been used in numerous commercial applications from tourist rooftop decks to resort pool patios. See our gallery for some design ideas and images of commercial applications.
- Can I put MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking is high traffic zones?
- Absolutely! MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® is very durable and will not splinter. Dimensionally stable, your bamboo deck will last for decades. Requires periodic pressure washing and occasional UV protective Lasur/ oil refinishing application to maintain the original dark brown look. Weathered, it will transform to a beautiful medium grey.
- Does MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking bend or warp like composites?
- MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® will not bend or warp due to the structure of the bamboo fibers and the proprietary Thermo-Density manufacturing process.
- Can I put MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking? is high traffic zones?
- Absolutely! MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® is very durable and will not splinter. Dimensionally stable, your bamboo deck will last for decades. Requires periodic pressure washing and occasional UV protective Lasur/ oil refinishing application to maintain the original dark brown look. Weathered, it will transform to a beautiful medium grey..
- What is the appropriate joist span for MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking?
- Joists can be set at 18” on center. Each board is either 6” or 8” wide and 6’ long depending on the profile chosen. See profile options here.
- How do I install MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking boards?
- While PVCs and Composites are more challenging to handle because the cut lengths vary which creates the need for “planning on-the-fly” and can result in waste; all MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking boards are 6-foot in length and utilize a proprietary Asymmetric Kick Clip fastener system for simplified installation and less waste. Design can easily be planned out prior to arriving on the job site. Basic carpentry skills are required. Cutting the material does not generate toxic dust or vapors that you get with PVCs and plastics.NOTE: Nailing/fastening of PVC and composite decking requires some accommodation to comply with warranty provisions. Exotic Hardwoods require pre-drill for their anchor fasteners due to their hardness. Neither of these is necessary when using MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking.
- How do I fasten the MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking boards to the joists?
- MOSO® provides proprietary Asymmetric Kick Clips for both siding and decking products. These secure the decking to the joists as well as to each other. Click to view MOSO® Asymmetric Kick Clips.
Design
MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® takes architectural design to a whole new level! Variations in widths, color, and smooth vs grooved profiles bring an element of subtle sophistication to your exterior space.
- Does MOSO® Bamboo X-treme decking come in different wood patterns?
- Bamboo is a grass, so the finished product is extremely dense. Because of this, MOSO® Bamboo decking, cladding/siding, fascia, soffit, and other building products offer a uniform, elegant, sophisticated beauty and strength that creates a modern alternative to the more traditional wood grain look you may be used to seeing.
- Are there installation examples of MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking available?
- Oh, yes! Our design gallery shows some of the most beautiful installations from around the world. And, we would love to include images of your MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® project installation when you finish it!
Green / Sustainable
MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® building products offer a sustainable alternative to the destructive clear-cut harvesting of the world's forests. A solid contributor to a circular economy, bamboo forests not only replenish themselves; but the carbon stored in bamboo products is a viable fuel source at end of product life.
- Why is MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking green?
- MOSOMOSO® Bamboo X-treme® building productsBamboo X-treme® building products are harvested from groves of bamboo that are simply pruned—never clear-cut. Bamboo building products represent a rapidly growing market gaining popularity because carbon is captured and stored during processing for the life of the product. MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking and building products are actually burned, it will not yield toxic fumes like synthetic or treated lumber alternatives. It becomes carbon negative when converted to energy at the end-of-life.
Cost
Cost is always a consideration in any building project; but we often consider only the up-front costs. That is where we can lose out on true value. MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking and building products are comparable in up-front cost to PVC or exotic wood decking material. It is in the maintenance and durability of the product where the real savings begins to be seen.
- What is the cost of MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking?
- MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking is on par with the lifetime cost of other decking products; but will last up to four times (4X's) longer than pressure-treated softwoods. In addition, due to the consistent 6’ board length, end-matching join system, and proprietary Asymmetric Kick Clips system, planning and installation is easy and fast, and can result in savings of up to 30% on the cost of installation. Maintenance costs depend on the look you want. Leaving MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking natural will result in a weathered grey look that will not splinter, split, or crack like other decking materials. If you wish to keep that newly installed look, simply pressure wash and apply a coat of oil each year or, as weather and use dictate.
Durability
MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking is an extremely durable and stable building product. The installation methods are even engineered to promote stability.
- How durable is MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking?
- MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking will last 20-30 years under normal use. The 30-year warranty is a testament to the durability of the product. As with exotics, bamboo decking will weather to a medium gray color, but can be maintained with oil applications to retain a deep resilient brown. MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking is harder than exotic wood and has a similar life expectancy. While PVC and composites products claim a 30-year life span, they have a history of movement after installation (resulting both from the nature of the product as well as the method of installation) which can cause cracking, splitting, or bowing.
Installation
Installation of MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking is a breeze. Because of the consistency in board lengths, planning and design are also easier and can be done in advance.
- Is MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking easy to install?
- MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® comes only in 6-foot lengths, with several widths available to increase design options and ensure ease of fit. A proprietary Asymmetric Kick Clips fastener system simplifies installation and aids durability and stability. Basic carpentry skills are required. Cutting the material does not generate toxic dust or vapors. PVCs and Composites: Cutting the material generates a toxic dust or vapor(s), so special PPE is required for lung safety. In addition, PVCs and Composites are more challenging to handle because the cut lengths vary. Because there is no way to know what length the boards will be before delivery, final design is done onsite; and, may result in waste. Nailing and/or fastening of PVCs and Composites requires various accommodation(s) to comply with warranty provisions; while Exotic Hardwoods require pre-drilling before inserting anchor fasteners due to the hardness of the material.
Performance / User Friendliness
MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking performance after installation is a best-of-class product. Ease of installation, choice of maintenance, and carbon neutral disposal are the hallmarks of this 21st Century product.
- Overall, how does MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® decking perform?
- Never too hot for tiny feet, and free of cracks and splinters, MOSO® X-treme Bamboo decking consistently performs like a champion and will never splinter or sag.
Last Updated: May 10, 2022
Date Created: February 14, 2021