Post #247644 by Bay Park Buzzy on Tue, Aug 8, 2006 1:55 PM

Hiltiki: I went down and visited some pals at the wholesale bamboo yard today and asked them several questions on your behalf. Here is what I remember:
The colored panels are made from regular bamboo, and are stained with a mahogany stain, and then coated with a clear sealer. According to the wholesaler, the life expectancy of these bamboo panels is 20 years. However, it will be necessary to recoat them with an outdoor wood sealer every 3-5 years, as needed. Many evironmental factors will affect the lifespan of the bamboo too.
Most black bamboo is very small and slow growing, hence its rarity as a building material. There are large bamboo poles available that are actually regular bamboo airbrushed by a painter to look like giant black bamboo. I've also seen red and green painted poles too.
Usually the panels come in 6x8 and 8x8 sections, in any color you desire. Ive actually seen pink bamboo...
Any more questions, let me know, I'm going back tomorrow.
Buzzy