Hey everyone, thanks for swinging by my little corner of the internet. For those who don’t know me, I’ve been working with By Material products for over 8 years now—been a supplier since the brand launched, honestly. Lately, I’ve been getting so many DMs and emails from fellow buyers, contractors, even DIY folks asking the same question: are the materials in By Material stuff actually resistant to mold and mildew? It’s such a fair question, too, especially after all the rain we’ve had this year and how damp some parts of the country get. I don’t blame anyone for overthinking this—mold can turn a good renovation into a total nightmare fast. By Material
First off, let’s cut through the confusion. A lot of people mix up “mold-resistant” with “mold-proof,” right? Nothing’s 100% mold-proof, even the most expensive stuff. But when I tell you our By Material materials are formulated to fight mold, I’m talking about real science, not just marketing jargon. Let’s break down the core materials we stock because that’s where the resistance lives.
Take our most popular line—water-resistant vinyl planks and tiles. A lot of vinyl products on the market are just regular PVC, but By Material’s vinyl is different. We work with their in-house chemists on this, and they add what’s called a biostatic additive during the manufacturing process. Wait, what’s biostatic? Basically, it’s a substance that stops mold and mildew spores from latching on and growing. Unlike some cheap coatings that wear off in a year, this additive is mixed right into the vinyl matrix, so it doesn’t peel or fade when you mop it or spill something. I’ve seen this hold up in bathrooms, basements, even outdoor patio installs where people set up kiddie pools—no mold, no discoloration, even after 3 years. That’s not luck, that’s intentional design.
Then there’s our composite decking. If you’ve ever had a wood deck, you know mold and mildew love to set in between the boards, especially where moisture gets trapped. By Material’s composite is made from recycled wood fibers and plastic, but again, the magic is in the mold treatment. They don’t use the old method of pressure-treating with chemicals that can leach out over time. Instead, they use a non-toxic, EPA-registered biocide that targets mold’s cell walls without harming humans or pets. I can say that because I’ve tested batches myself—last year, I left a sample of composite planks in a damp, dark storage bin for 6 months, same with a regular composite sample we had from another brand. By Material’s sample had zero mold growth, the other one was covered in black spots. That’s the real deal.
Wait, let’s not forget our interior surfaces—think wall panels, back splashes, even upholstery fabrics. The fabric stuff is polyester-based, right? By Material treats it with a mold-repellent finish that’s also stain-resistant, so two birds with one stone. For wall panels, we have both PVC and bamboo options, and both have mold inhibitors. The bamboo is a big one for people who want eco-friendly materials, but they’re worried about bamboo’s natural tendency to hold moisture. By Material’s bamboo is kiln-dried to a super low moisture content before treatment, so it can’t absorb water easily. That’s key—mold needs moisture to grow, so if the material can’t hold water, it’s way harder for mold to take hold.
Now, let’s talk about what actually causes mold growth, because a lot of people miss this part. Mold spores are everywhere—air, dust, even on your shoes. They just need three things to grow: food, moisture, and the right temperature. By Material’s materials take away two of those three things. They don’t offer food for mold (no organic material that mold can break down easily) and they’re designed to resist moisture absorption. That’s why they work so well in humid spaces. But here’s the thing—they aren’t miracle workers. If you install them in a bathroom and never fix a leaky pipe, or leave standing water on the floor for weeks, even these materials can have an issue. No product can fix poor maintenance, and I always tell that to customers who ask.
I get why some people are skeptical. The home goods industry throws around “mold-resistant” like it’s a buzzword, but By Material actually publishes test results for all their materials. We as suppliers get access to those results, and I’ve looked at them—third-party lab tests, not just in-house stuff. For example, their vinyl planks had a 99.9% reduction in mold growth after 28 days of exposure, per ASTM G21 standards. That’s the gold standard for mold testing, right? I’ve seen that number for years, and it’s never changed, even when they adjust their formulations slightly for sustainability. That consistency matters.
Another common question: what about mildew vs. mold? A lot of people use them interchangeably, but mildew is actually a type of mold that grows on surfaces with high moisture, like walls or fabrics. So all the mold-resistant properties in By Material’s materials work just as well on mildew. I’ve had customers tell me they used our fabric panels in a camper that got really humid on a cross-country trip, and no mildew smell—something that used to happen with their old canvas panels. That’s the kind of real-world feedback I trust more than any ad.
Now, let’s touch on the caveats, because I don’t want to overpromise. If you have a space that’s constantly damp—like a basement that floods every spring—you still need to do proper prep. By Material’s materials can’t seal out water forever if the underlying subfloor is moldy. I always advise customers to fix water issues first, make sure the space is ventilated, and then install our materials. That way, you’re not setting yourself up for trouble. Also, if you have porous materials, like natural stone (which By Material doesn’t even sell, by the way), you need to seal them, but all our products are non-porous or low-porous, so they don’t need extra sealing for mold.
I’ve been in this supplier game long enough to know when a brand is cutting corners. By Material is transparent about their manufacturing, they use materials that are safe, and their mold-resistance isn’t an afterthought. Last month, a client came to me who had a bad experience with another brand’s vinyl planks that got mold under the toe kick in their kitchen. They switched to By Material’s, and when they sent me a pic a few weeks ago, there was zero growth. That’s when you know the product works.
For anyone still on the fence, maybe you’re renovating a basement, a bathroom, or a vacation home in a rainy area, these materials are worth the investment. They hold up longer, they’re easier to clean, and you don’t have to stress about black spots popping up out of nowhere. I also love that they’re eco-friendly—most of their materials are made from recycled content, so you’re not just getting a mold-resistant product, you’re doing a little for the planet too.
If you’re looking to source these materials for a project, whether it’s a small DIY reno or a big commercial build, I’m here to help. I can send you sample kits, walk you through the testing results, or even connect you with By Material’s team to answer specific questions for your space. Just reach out to chat about your project—no pressure, no sales pitches, just honest answers.
At the end of the day, mold is a problem that affects every home eventually, but having materials that are built to fight it makes a huge difference. I’ve seen too many people deal with the hassle of mold removal, and I don’t want that for anyone. By Material’s materials aren’t perfect, but they’re some of the best on the market when it comes to mold and mildew resistance.
By Material References
ASTM International. (2020). Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Synthetic Polymeric Materials to Fungi (ASTM G21-15).
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Biocides for Mold Prevention in Consumer Products.
By Material. (2023). Internal Material Performance Testing Reports: Mold and Mildew Resistance.
Hangzhou Kangsheng Textile Co., Ltd.
Address: 22# Building, K7 Original park,No.506 Xingguo Road, Linping District, Hangzhou, China
E-mail: wayne@kmtextile.net
WebSite: https://www.kangshengtextile.com/
