dassoXTR Weathering and Aging

Grains and Colors

dassoXTR is a natural product, it appearance may vary in grains and colors. When exposed under the natural sunlight over time, the appearance and color may change depending on the extent of UV light exposed to the material. The boards originally have a dark brown color in multiple hues, which will lighten up over several weeks or months. The board's color without regular maintenance will eventually grey out to a nice silver patina just like any hardwood exposed to sunlight. If a brown color is preferred, maintenance should be done with an exterior penetrating oil. Stains could be added to the penetrating oil to achieve a desired color of the finish product. dassoXTR shows similarity to other hardwoods in grains and structure as it consists of 87% of natural stranded bamboo fiber. The characteristic of bamboo nodes however can still be recognized and gives the product its natural desire look.

Normal Phenomena

Checks and cracks on the surface and on the ends of the boards can arise from the different drying characteristics of the surface and cross-cut ends. This does not affect the structurer soundness of the boards. The surface and sides of the boards will get rougher over time due to natural fiber raising as with any natural wood. Some splinters may form as a result of continuous water absorption and evaporation due to ambient condition. Dimensional changes or cupping of the boards are minor but can occur after cycles of environmental changes. These phenomena are normal to all wood and as well to dassoXTR.

Difference Between Classic & Epic

All-natural wood/bamboo fibers eventually grey out under natural sunlight. This process is called aging where UV light from sunlight causes the fibers to dry out and appear aged. UV light has a shorter wavelength thus can even get into microscopic cavities and react on unexposed fibers. Natural wood/bamboo fibers will over time turn richer in color, stronger in tone, then darken and eventually grey out to a silvery patina color.

Epic Cognac’s color is achieved through a process called Crystalized and Fused (See also: How dassoXTR Fused Bamboo is Made). As it is not thermally treated, like Classic Espresso, Epic Cognac retains its fresh natural honey-tone colors. Because the plank starts at its neutral color it will go through different stages of color change by first getting stronger/richer in tone and color, then slowly turn a darker tone (dark-brown and blacken), eventually turn a silver patina. The speed of this process is depending on the extent of UV light its exposed to. Some areas of the plank surface may turn darker due to reaction of the tannin in the bamboo to the nano CeramiX particles. This only happens in areas where tannins are abundant. As wood/bamboo is a natural material, every culm of bamboo will have different contents of tannins and are not possible to be detected from the naked eye. This is not a defect. Similar phenomenon is seen on Teak wood, where freshly cut Teak wood is pale, uninteresting, and dull in color. However, overtime exposure to light and humidity, Teak wood color becomes richer, stronger, and may develop dark streaks showing the characteristics Teak’s black gold.