I am a general contractor in the Lincoln, NE area and have a client that wants a composite deck installed. I gave them samples of Timbertech and Trex they really liked the Timbertech but dont like the price so much. They recently contacted me with a new product called Bamdeck made by Cali Bamboo. The product looks vey nice and durable plus we like the fact that it is 100% recycled material and the cost is cheaper. The problem is that we cant find many reviews so if anyone on here has heard of this product good or bad please post.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Apprenticeship programs can be a valuable tool for residential builders to recruit, train, and retain skilled employees, offering a structured pathway for career advancement and equity in the trades.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
Cali Bamboo composite decking
I have worked with Cali Bamboo on several projects and have always had a positive experience. I have not used thier decking but here is a review that I found. I hope this helps.
" I recently purchased composition decking material, Bamdeck (30% recycled bamboo and 70% recycled plastic) from Cali Bamboo that was used to build a 300sf deck on my home in Arlington, Texas. It was a very easy process to order this material and have it shipped. Once I received the Bamdeck planks both myself and the contractor was extremely happy with the quality of the plank (very dense and uniform). The deck was recently completed and I am very happy with the results. I would definitely recommend this product to someone who would want a quality, low maintenance deck"
Composite Decking and Railing
That's awesome you used or are enlightening your clients about using composite materials in lieu of wood.
I think my favorite thing about composite materials like Azek, or Bamdeck products is that it is great for the forests and the endangered species being threatened by deforestation. People need to start caring more about the environment, people, and animals effected by those cutting down trees in Africa, Brazil and Asia so they can have a nice long lasting deck.
The good news is the new composite pvc materials look GREAT and don't require maintenance.Luckily many of the highend homeowners and deck builders are finally starting to push pvc, and recycled decking more and more. There are many manufactuers who make similar products but I know the Azek material can be manipulated and milled just like and sometimes better than wood, but any manufactured composite material is better then cutting down the forest homes of many species that are threatened.
Please look into using this material before you choose an exotic hardwood. Keep it up.
James Schiller
Owner,
Charleston SC premier construction contractors
Precision Construction
4 years later.....did your client end up going with Cali Bamboo? If so, can I ask what you thought of the product and if they were happy with the finished product? We are currently researching this decking as well and it is very hard to find reviews. Thanks!
And 5 years later.....you are right, it is hard to find reviews about Cali Bamboo decking. So I'll add one here to maybe help someone else down the road.
A few months ago I installed Cali Bamboo's TruOrganics decking on my own house. I'm a contractor so I do all my own work. Before purchasing, my wife and I compared it with samples of Trex, Decorators, TimberTech and a few others we could get our hands on. Both my wife and I agreed it had the best look. One side is a simulated wood grain and the other is a fine grooved matte finish. Both sides looked good and the least fake out of all the samples we had. I've done two small decks on the house so far and one has the simulated wood grain side up and the other has the fine groove side up. We like them both. When I'm at other houses with a Trex or TimberTech or some other decking I must say I prefer the Cali. It really just has a better look. Can't describe really why and maybe its just a personal preference, but something about the Cali has an edge above the others.
Install is basically the same as all the other composite decking. Your choice of face screw, screw and plug, hidden fasteners, etc. Comes in both hollow core and solid.
What I can't comment on is longevity. Its only been installed a few months. I'm in the North East and it was installed in the cold and now has been through a hot summer. Not long for a good longevity review, but so far so good.
It was a bit pricier than some of the other options. But in my case I feel it was worth it. We could have paid less and it also would have looked liked we did. We also could have paid more with other products, but it wasn't necessary since the Cali product was just what we were looking for. Now we are looking at placing an order for a larger final deck with the Cali product.
If anyone else has experience with the Cali product please chime in.