Bamboo Turning Black with Outdoor Use

Hi, we are doing a project using bamboo as facade under intense sun and rain in summer (subtropical climate). We did the boric borax solution treatment beforehand already, however under the rain season, some selective bamboos are blackened intensely, why is that and what other solutions/ treatments can prevent such situation from happening?

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⭐ Best Answer:

The blackening you see is almost certainly fungal staining due to high humidity + rain exposure, since boric–borax doesn’t protect against that.

What to do:
Start by cleaning off the surface mold (use mild vinegar solution or lemon oil), then let the bamboo dry thoroughly. Next, apply a UV-resistant sealer, which protects against moisture and UV damage. To prevent recurrence, it’s recommended to re-apply every 1-2 years to maintain protection.

What is the Durability of a Bamboo House?

I am facing a situation as I need to look for material to build some house(s) in Belize. My spouse asked a critical question: what is the durability of a bamboo house and how many years can you expect a bamboo home to last?

Also, what is a way to make a bamboo home to be hurricane 'resistant'? Proper joints and reinforcements or more bamboo elements put together in a technically mosaic?

Also, if you have a building team using a prefabricated house from bamboo it will take 2-3 days to assemble it again and another 1-2 months to finish. What is the time frame and level of effort needed to build a bamboo home using a same nice design but not a prefab kit and all the pieces cut on site?

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⭐ Best Answer:

A professionally build bamboo house with preserved bamboo poles will last a lifetime. Many bamboo homes can be found in South America and Asia that are over 100 years old.

Proper treatment of the bamboo is crucial along with specific building techniques and maintenance. It is for example most important to avoid direct contact with soil, sun or rain to ensure the durability of bamboo.

Well trained and skilled workers can build a standard bamboo house from scratch in 2-3 months, all depends on the design of course.