Why builders love Eco Bamboo Cladding

Strong, solid, high-density Bamboo X-treme Cladding, from Plantation Bamboo, is relatively new to New Zealand – here are the key reasons builders love it

Bamboo X-treme Cladding. - Bamboo X treme cladding

Plantation Bamboo cladding is an extremely strong, solid, high-density exterior bamboo plank made from compressed strand-woven bamboo – profiled into an overlapping cladding board.

Highest durability class possible

A special, patented “thermo-density” heat treatment manufacturing process provides Plantation bamboo X-treme cladding with the highest durability class possible, making it well-suited for the harsh New Zealand sun and environment.

The relatively new to the market product was tested and appraised against the NZ Building Code as a cavity-based cladding system.

BEAL found Plantation Bamboo's X-treme cladding system complies with the following clauses of New Zealand Building Code: B1 – Structure; B2 – Durability; E2 – External Moisture; and F2 – Hazardous Building Materials.

A greener option for architects, specifiers and builders

Plantation Bamboo X-treme cladding is the next generation of sustainable building product – a truly ecological and durable alternative to increasingly scarce tropical hardwood and non-renewable materials.

Plantation Bamboo X-treme cladding consists of approximately 90% natural bamboo which has a growing speed of up to 1 metre per day, making it the fastest growing plant on Earth.

Bamboo is ready to harvest after 4-5 years – compared to the staggering up to 100 years for hardwood species.

Similar only better

Plantation Bamboo X-treme cladding rivals other hardwoods in grain and structure, with the characteristic bamboo fibres being more visible as the product weathers, giving a lovely natural and unique look.

With the strong stability of this product, it can withstand temperature changes with hardly any shrinking or swelling. Due to this stability, the cladding will stay flat and in place, unlike some other natural materials.

It is suggested that Plantation Bamboo X-treme cladding is fixed to battens (with the clips/screws provided), over a waterproof membrane.

2020018 LR 1 Design by Moke Architects Closed

Invisible support makes life easy for builders or DIYers

Plantation Bamboo X-treme cladding comes with powder-coated stainless-steel clip and screw fixings, which makes installation easier and provides a smarter finished look.

The clips are simply screwed onto battens and the cladding boards clip together with the boards only requiring to be cut at the end of a row (as the ends snugly fit together).

Low maintenance – make that no maintenance

After installation, the cladding does not require any regular maintenance (unless a darker colour is desired), which can save on time and cost.

Due to the “thermo-density” heat treatment process, the cladding is a mid-dark brown colour, but this will gradually change to a silver-grey colour over time as it naturally weathers.

Unlike Plantation Bamboo's X-treme decking product (which has been pre-oiled as part of the manufacturing process) the cladding boards come unfinished but can be oiled if preferred, depending on the look and feel that is desired.

Don't take our word for it

Matty, Surecraft Carpentry, Canterbury, talking about X-treme cladding:

“It’s the first time I’ve heard about a T&G cladding system. It’s amazing how dense and versatile this cladding is – it doesn’t dent like cedar which makes installation much easier. It seems bulletproof. I saved a lot of time having the hidden clips and screw fixings and it looks very smart with clean lines, once installed. I’m looking forward to using it again.”