Wishbone has always prioritized sustainability with 100% recycled plastic lumber, but some customers want the look and feel of wood. Ipe is the traditional exotic hardwood that is great for outdoor furnishings, but it is also a slow-growing tropical “at risk” species, making it unsustainable.
Wishbone is proud to offer a strand-woven bamboo lumber option that outperforms Ipe for hardness, dimensional stability and fire resistance. Most significantly, it requires very little maintenance and can be sanded to remove graffiti or minor scratches. Full-length bamboo strands are combined with roughly 10% phenolic glue and modified under intense heat and pressure, making the resulting boards harder and stronger than almost any hardwood. Bamboo is grown in only two years, supporting our commitment to the environment and price competitiveness.
Hardened Bamboo vs. Ipe Hardwood
| Metric | Hardened Bamboo | Ipe Hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Brinell hardness | 9.5 kg/mm² | 5.9 kg/mm² |
| Density | 1150 kg/m³ | 1060 kg/m³ |
| Dimensional stability | Length +0.1%, width +0.9% (24 hrs in 20 °C water) | Tangential −7.1%, radial −5.5% (green to oven-dry) |
| Durability | Class 1 in use (25-year warranty); excellent against rot, insects & fungi | Class 1 (25+ years); excellent against insects & decay |
| Fire resistance | Class A (ASTM E84); highly fire resistant | Class A (ASTM E84); naturally fire resistant |
| Weather resistance | Excellent stability with moisture; slight greying over time if untreated | Moderate stability with moisture; slight greying over time if untreated |
| Environmental impact | Carbon neutral; renewable 2-year bamboo growth | CITES Appendix II “at risk” species; ~100 years to maturity |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance; can be sanded; oil to maintain colour | Low maintenance; can be sanded; oil to maintain colour |
| Cost | Lower cost than exotic hardwoods | Higher cost — limited supply, long harvest cycles |
Use hardened bamboo in your next installation
Hardened bamboo is available across our seating range, including the JEM Chaise Lounger and the Bayview Bench, in oiled, stained and un-stained finishes. Contact us to specify hardened bamboo for your project.