Johannesburg, South Africa (September 25, 2025) – Spring is more than in the air, with the warm summer season in full bloom. This means your outdoor living space is taking centre stage, especially with South Africa’s national heritage braai day celebrated every 24th of September. But with the new season also comes harsher sun and more rain, so care should be taken when selecting building materials used outdoors, to ensure they are able to withstand these elements.
South Africa has some of the highest UV levels in the world due to the ozone depletion in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s no surprise then that with this higher radiation load, building materials used in decking, outdoor furniture, and cladding, degrades much faster in the summer, unless UV-protected.
Unfortunately, wood exposed to these higher UV levels can often fade to grey, especially with the ultraviolent levels of radiation reaching 11+. This is the reason The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated every September 16th, to commemorate nations coming together to eradicate gases responsible for the deterioration of the ozone layer. Other outdoor building materials used instead of traditional wood are composites, like Eva-Last bamboo composite, aluminium cladding and ceramics or concrete for floors. However, concrete is prone to cracking over time due to temperature changes, moisture, and ground movement. Ceramics, which are usually laid on top of concrete, sometimes suffer a similar fate. It is also important to choose non-slip ceramics for outdoor use and lighter colours to reduce the floor heat. The main disadvantages of aluminium cladding usually refer to the initial high cost, especially in countries subject to aluminium tariffs, and then also its susceptibility to scratches and dents, being a softer material.
So careful thought should be given to your outdoor areas when designing or refurbishing them. It’s helpful to note that Eva-Last’s bamboo composite solutions, are engineered with UV stabilisers that reduce fading by as much as 40% compared to timber. These exceptionally durable boards are also highly water-resistant due to the material composition, so they are less prone to swelling, splintering, warping and rotting, especially in coastal regions. What’s more, Eva-Last bamboo composite decking also has reliable slip resistance properties, important for outdoor areas during the rainy season, and around swimming pools. When Eva-Last decking products are used, your outdoor entertainment area requires little to no maintenance, typically only requiring occasional cleaning.
At Eva-Last, our passion for sustainability has positioned us a global leader in creating building materials that don’t just look beautiful, but are engineered to brave the elements. From the heat of summer to the harshest climates, our innovative systems empower customers to design outdoor spaces that are as resilient as they are inspiring, revolutionising how building can be done wisely, responsibly, and sustainably,” says Eva-Last CEO, Marc Minne.
As the season unfolds, be inspired to entertain and celebrate outdoors. And if your space needs refreshing, trust Eva-Last to help you create the setting where the best South African memories are made. By choosing Eva-Last bamboo composite, you’re not only embracing style and durability, but also supporting a solution that reduces deforestation and upcycles plastic, so every gathering is a celebration of a greener outdoors.
For more information on bamboo composite, visit www.eva-last.co.za.
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About Eva-Last®
Eva-Last is a globally recognised and trusted brand that manufactures and distributes specialised bamboo composite building products. Together with a wide range of advanced decking, cladding, fencing, architectural beams, fasteners and flooring products, Eva-Last also offers specialised support systems and expert advice, ensuring each and every build is designed to last. Eva-Last composite products and complimentary systems can be found in over 30 countries globally and have been an imperative part of some of the world’s largest building projects. As a global leader in composite building technology, Eva-Last ensures product quality and customer satisfaction with class-leading warranties. For the latest news, please follow Eva-Last on Facebook (Eva-Last Global), Instagram (evalastglobal), X (EvaLastGlobal), LinkedIn (Eva-Last Global),Flickr (Eva-Last), and Pinterest (EvaLastDecking), or view the brand's YouTube channel (EvaLast Global) for product information and installation guidelines.