For those interested in accenting a specific part of the home with decorative and sturdy tiki bamboo products, there is no shortage of options. Some people are actually very surprised by the sheer volume of choices they have when it comes to bamboo materials; here are some of the most popular, and versatile, tiki bamboo products.
Tiki Wainscoting
Most people have heard of wainscoting, which is made of oak wall paneling covers and tends to be found in mostly older homes. But bamboo wainscoting is not at all like those ornate, wood stained or whitewashed wall panels. Instead, it’s sheets of bamboo that are woven together to use as wall coverings. Think less Western Europe, more Southeast Asia.
Bamboo wainscoting is a very popular tiki bamboo product, because the panels are just as useful indoors as they are outdoors. Use them to cover your walls inside the home, the outside of your tiki hut or come up with your own way to use them. They can be found in carbonized, tortoise, natural burnt or raw green bamboo finishes.
Tiki Bamboo Poles and Slats
For a genuine tiki hut or tiki bar, holding up the roof with bamboo poles is the best way to go. That’s because bamboo poles are far more authentic than hardwood poles, and true to the tropical aesthetic many homeowners want to create in the backyard or pool area. As for bamboo slats, they are an ideal flooring material for your outdoor living space. When treated with the right products, they can last for years to come.
Bamboo Wall Panels
Bamboo wall paneling, especially the rare double weave bamboo matting variety, are an exceptionally high quality wall covering material that can elevate the beauty of any wall. Whether it’s for indoor walls of the home or the walls of a tiki shack or hut outside, homeowners can immediately notice the upgraded quality and beauty of their walls when tiki bamboo wall panels are applied.
Bamboo wall panels are easy to install, too, and the supplier you purchase them from should be able to give you easy-to-follow installation tips. They can also be installed on ceilings, which really kicks the whole look up a notch!
For homeowners that want to elevate the quality of certain spaces by creating a tropical, Asian or South American environment, using tiki bamboo products is one of the best ways to do it.
Building your own tiki hut is an exciting prospect – but what if you have no construction experience? When that is the case, taking advantage of tiki hut building plans is the best way to improve the success of your tiki hut project. After all, a tiki hut may be an outdoor structure meant for periodic shelter or recreation – but regardless, it’s still important that it lasts for years to come because of your investment. Plus, it should be carried out as safely as possible and the result should be sturdy, durable and secure.
For the most successful results possible, your tiki hut building plans should:
• Be easy to follow, with instructions numbered or bullet pointed
• Be descriptive, but simple – written in plain language, not for construction professionals
• Have all of the kit’s contents identified on the instruction manual
Furthermore, it’s important to purchase your tiki hut building plans from a supplier that offers you a safety net – in other words, phone support so that you can ask questions if you run into any snags. Suppliers of these kits and plans may indeed have customers who are construction professionals, but they should be prepared to cater to customers who are amateur builders as well.
What Tiki Hut Building Plans Should Include
A full tiki hut kit should include:
• The bamboo poles that uphold your tiki hut roof
• The structure for your roof, i.e. bamboo or faux bamboo battens
• Hardware (nuts, bolts and brackets) to hold your poles together
• The flooring for your tiki hut
• Palm thatch to form your thatched tiki roof
• Sealer for the thatched roof to protect it from weather
• The tiki hut building plans that instruct you how to put the hut together
For a truly successful tiki hut building project, a high quality kit is the best way to go. Above all, be sure to choose a kit supplier that offers as much information, support and added benefits as possible. Building a tiki hut is a fun project, but it requires an investment of your time and should be taken seriously so you can enjoy it for years to come.
How do you thatch a tiki hut roof? It’s not as hard as you may think. If you own a staple gun and have some patience, you can thatch your tiki hut roof. Here’s how to do it.
First, load your staple gun with 9/16” galvanized staples. Then, unroll your thatch onto the wood frame of your tiki hut roof. Work in rows, starting at the lower edge of the roof. You want to be sure to allow your thatch to hang off the roof; about one foot of overhang is usually the standard to achieve an authentic tiki hut roof appearance.
Staple the rolls onto the plywood frame (unless you have chosen a frame made of battens, in which case you will nail the tiki hut roof thatching with a hammer). Go all the way around the roof, overlapping each new layer of thatch by about six to eight inches. If you need more detailed guidance, be sure to choose a supplier that offers quality customer service help; phone support is best.
There are other ways to thatch a roof, but those methods apply to other types of roofs. For tiki hut roof thatching projects, the method above is a good guideline.
FAQs about Thatched Roofs
What is tiki hut roof thatching made from? Thatch comes from harvested palm leaves that are dried and cured in the tropical sunshine.
How long will my thatched roof last? If it is natural thatch on an outdoor roof, it should last three to five years before it needs to be replaced. Synthetic thatch, which is resistant to the sun’s UV rays, can last up to 20 years.
Is tiki thatch fire retardant? No, not naturally; that’s why it should be treated with a fire retardant solution that is specifically made for tiki thatch products. This can be purchased from your supplier.
How do I keep my tiki hut roof thatching from getting rain damage? To prevent mold and mildew as a result of rain, treat your tiki thatch with a sealer. This can be purchased from your supplier.
If you have any further questions on your tiki hut – designing it, constructing it or maintaining it – choose a supplier that is an expert in all things tiki so you can get accurate answers to your specific questions. Good luck with your tiki hut roof thatching project!
Many people love the way a tiki umbrella looks, but they are unaware of where the tiki thatch material comes from, and how useful it can be in achieving the tropical aesthetic in a number of places. A tiki thatch umbrella cover typically comes from thatch leaves made from palapa, which is a native grass that is harvested from tropical regions throughout the world.
The Secret to a Long Lasting Umbrella
This grass is as durable as it is beautiful, and tiki umbrellas can last for years because of this durability. Unlike the average nylon umbrella, which absorbs the impact of wind and rain and degenerates over time, the palapa grass in a tiki thatch umbrella cover allows wind to pass through. This is the secret to the longevity of tiki umbrellas. However, it is important to install them properly – so with that in mind, here are some tips:
• When installing on structures like tiki huts or bars, attach the umbrella to a wood frame rather than a collapsible umbrella. It will secure the structure and enhance construction quality.
• Wind can still affect the tiki thatch umbrella cover over time, so use nylon zip ties or a staple gun to secure it to the wood frame.
• If you absolutely want to cover a collapsible umbrella (instead of a wood frame) with your tiki thatch umbrella cover, make sure the umbrella is secured in a sturdy commercial stand. Do not collapse the umbrella while it is in the downward position, as this could tear the cover down the center.
Choose an Umbrella Size
Choosing a size for your tiki thatch umbrella cover is easy: Just measure your supporting frame starting at the top center tip, all the way to the outer edge. Then, multiply the first figure by two and add one foot to that number; the extra foot will account for the grassy overhang of your umbrella cover.
Keeping the Umbrella Intact
How long will your tiki thatch umbrella cover last? For approximately three to five years, at the higher end of that range if you live in a dry climate. The good news is, replacing the cover is easy when it comes time: Just replace the top layer as needed, because the underlying layers should still be fine. They are often very well preserved by the top layer.
A tiki thatch umbrella cover is one of the best ways to create that tropical environment that welcomes guests to relax and feel at home. It’s also one of the most easy-to-install, affordable and versatile tiki thatch products there is.
Building
a tiki hut for your home or business is now easier than ever, thanks to
pre-manufactured kits that enable people to build their own with no special
skills required. For serious do-it-yourself types, kits may seem like “taking
the easy way out” when building your tiki bar or hut – but rest assured, the
majority of tiki hut kits hold true to the authentic style of the tiki huts that graced American
establishments throughout the mid-century. They are made from natural materials
that look and feel real, because they are.
There is a kit for every size and shape of tiki hut imaginable, and they are
accessible to homeowners and business owners alike. There are tiki hut kits
that can create:
• Tiki bars
• Tiki lanai structures
• Round, square, rectangular or octagonal tiki huts
• Tiki inspired car ports
• Treehouses and playhouses
• Gardening huts
• Pool houses
As you can see, tiki construction and décor are only limited by your
imagination. But what if you aren’t sure if your project requires tiki hut
kits? Some projects may simply need a thatched roof on an existing structure.
When that is the case, the best way to go is with rolls of tiki thatch that can
be stapled on.
Is a Tiki Hut Kit Right for You?
Take this quick quiz to see if your project is a good fit for a tiki hut kit:
Do you have an existing structure that can be converted into a tiki hut? If
not, you need tiki hut kits to create the structure you want.
Does your project require construction beyond what you can do yourself? If so,
a kit is the best way to accomplish it.
Does your project require a building permit? If so, you may want to go the kit
route so that it can be completed in the most timely, compliant fashion
possible.
Buying tiki hut kits is not cutting corners; it’s just being practical! The
result is a beautifully constructed tiki hut structure that will impress
everyone just as much as if you built it from raw materials. Speaking of
materials, tiki hut kits with real bamboo and natural thatch roof rolls are
easy to find. They include a full supply of bolts that hold the structure
together perfectly, and these are materials that make sense for a structure
that is such an important investment in your property.
People love the way a tiki umbrella can accent an outdoor
living space at home, or even a dining space at a business like a restaurant or
bar. But when it comes to knowing what makes tiki thatch such a unique material, many consumers are in the dark.
Here is a quick summary of where tiki
thatch umbrella material comes from, which can explain why thatch is such
an excellent umbrella covering.
What Tiki Thatch is Made From
The thatch that is used for tiki umbrellas is normally made from palapa, a
grass that is native to many tropical climate regions throughout the world. The
palapa grass is hand harvested, dried and cured before it is woven into the
thatch material most consumers are used to seeing. The sun drying and curing
process makes tiki thatch an ideal
covering for a variety of projects, and umbrellas are certainly included in
that. A tiki thatch umbrella can last for anywhere from three to five years
because of this sturdiness; however, there are some ways to improve its
longevity.
Improve the Life of Your Tiki Umbrella
First, you want to attach the umbrella to a wood frame. Yes, you should “build”
an umbrella, essentially, if you want your tiki thatch umbrella to last for its full lifespan. That will create the
longest-lasting, most high quality covering for your outdoor tiki bar, dining
area or other space and help you to get the most out of your investment.
As stated, using a collapsible umbrella will dramatically reduce the life of
your tiki thatch umbrella because it
is a poor foundation; however, there are times when using one may be
appropriate. A party or special event may be one such occasion. If you are
using a collapsible umbrella, place it in a commercial stand to hold it secure,
and do not collapse the umbrella while it is in the downward position because
that will tear your tiki thatch cover.
An Umbrella vs. a Tiki Thatch Umbrella
What makes your tiki umbrella last so long? Typical nylon umbrellas absorb the
harsh impact of the elements, such as wind and rain; this breaks down the
umbrella over time. But the palapa grass of a tiki thatch umbrella allows wind
to pass through, and when using waterproofed thatch, the umbrella is even
resistant to the effects of rain. In fact, thatch is used as “rain cape” on
roofs in many parts of the world.
Rest assured that your tiki thatch umbrella can last for years, if you take the
time to select properly treated thatch from a reliable supplier and install it
using the tips provided here.
Tiki thatch roofs are incredibly popular for their tropical
aesthetic, but it’s easy to shy away from them because of their limited
lifespan. After all, natural thatch has a lifespan of about three to five
years. If that just isn’t long enough, it’s okay; synthetic tiki thatch is
available too, and it’s a pretty fantastic roofing alternative to real thatch rolls. If properly installed, it
can look incredible and stay that way for up to 20 years – decades longer than
real thatch.
If you select this artificial tiki thatch from a high quality supplier, there’s
a good chance it will look like the natural thatch harvested from palm fronds
in the tropics. You want to choose a supplier that offers you the most for your
money – synthetic thatch panels that are worth the investment. Look for
artificial thatch that is:
• Class A fire retardant, for optimal safety
• UV resistant, to prevent fading from the sun
• Mold resistant, so rain won’t diminish the quality
You also want the panels to be light enough to make installation easy, whether
it will be performed by you or a contractor. A note to DIY enthusiasts: The
lighter it is, the easier it will be to install yourself. And to protect your
investment, it’s a good idea to find synthetic thatch that is backed by
warranty – preferably, a warranty that guarantees a 20-year lifespan. This is
especially important for commercial establishments that are purchasing the
thatch in large quantities.
Types of Synthetic Thatch
If you’ve seen one kind of thatch, have you seen them all? Definitely not!
There are several types of synthetic thatch to choose from, including
artificial thatch that resembles:
• Palm thatch
• Reed thatch
• Bora Bora thatch
• Domingo thatch
• Viro thatch
A large selection means you can choose a variety that looks great for your
property, whether it’s your home or a commercial establishment. All of the
above varieties are good for commercial applications, including theme parks,
restaurants and playgrounds. Big name brands in these industries swear by
synthetic thatch to decorate their facilities because they understand the value
of the investment.
Installing Synthetic Thatch on a Bamboo Roof
Installing artificial thatch panels on a roof is quite simple. The panels
should be installed in rows, around all edges beginning at the lower edge of
the roof. The next step is to go all the way around the roof, attaching the
panels with self-tapping screws, a roofing stapler or a nail gun. For each row,
repeat the process while overlapping no more than six to eight inches. If the
panels need to be cut before installation, that can be done carefully with a
jigsaw.
Why synthetic thatch? The real question is, why not? Enjoy!
