We are often asked about the health, safety and environmental impact of the treatment and finishes used in bamboo preservation for Bamboo Living Homes.

Bamboo Technologies has conducted extensive research over the past decade on the most effective and environmental friendly bamboo treatments and finishes to inhibit mold, fungi, termites, beetles, sun, rain and weathering, so that Bamboo Living Homes remain healthy, strong and beautiful for many years to come. Bamboo poles, trim, and materials in the houses are backed by our company warranty.

We start by using a species of bamboo (bambusa stenostachya) grown in Vietnam with very high natural resistance to deterioration similar to redwood and hardness similar to oak. These thick-walled bamboo poles are harvested from quality controlled plantations at an age of 3 to 6 years old for maximum strength and hardness.

Poles are vacuum pressure treated with ecologically friendly borates (boric acid) as a preservative, making poles resistant to beetles and termites. Borates are considered so safe they are used in eyedrops. For more safety information, visit www.borax.com.

After poles are sanded and cut to fit, they are treated with a surface application of Shellguard, a mix of Boric Acid and Glycol, to further inhibit mold and insects, including powderpost beetle and termites. For more safety information, visit www.novaguard.com.

Poles are coated with Aegis, an antimicrobial agent to eliminate mold growth. Used successfully in high performance applications such as clean room garments and medical fabrics where safety and performance are paramount. The hospitality industry uses it on fabrics like sheets, napkins and tablecloths to ward off microbes as well as reduce staining. The healthcare sector uses it to reduce the threat of bacterial contamination. For more safety information, visit www.aegismicroshield.com.

Poles are given 2 finishing coats of Son Viet, a clear water base, waterproof, UV resistant, high quality, durable finish.

Cetol is an optional long-lasting finish used on exterior bamboo to protect against sun, rain and weathering. It is the longest lasting finish on the market today and needs to be applied only once every 5 years. We use Cetol because it involves less production and consumption than other finishes over a longer period, reducing environmental and health impact. For more safety information, visit www.akzonobel.com.

Intercept, a high-grade, environmentally friendly anti-microbial preservative, is added to Cetol to further inhibit exterior mold activity in moist climates. For more safety information, visit www.re-sourcetech.com.