Tiki Hut Kits | The Best Way to Build Tiki Projects

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.

A Tiki Thatch Umbrella

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. 

Why Synthetic Tiki Thatch?

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!

Tiki Palm Thatch Ideas, Installation and Info

Just about everyone loves the look of tiki thatched roofs, whether it’s shaggy fringe thatch that hangs from a tiki hut roof or a tighter, close-cut thatch that covers a cottage roof like moss. Commercial grade tiki palm thatch panels can achieve either of these aesthetics, as they are made from woven knots that keep them tight and sturdy.

The panels can be installed as part of a do-it-yourself home improvement project or as part of a larger home upgrade you outsource to a contractor. The thicker the thatch, the higher the quality; that’s why it’s very important to choose a supplier that offers thick, commercial grade tiki palm thatch. It will extend the life of your roof covering by years, which is a better protection of your investment.

Installing Tiki Palm Thatch

If you can use a staple gun, you can install your tiki thatch panels. For simple projects such as tiki hut roofs, umbrellas and retail display stands, construct your structure with plywood and staple your thatch panels on.

When rows are necessary, overlapping is a good idea so that the wood doesn’t show through. Overlap six to eight inches, depending on how layered you want your thatch to look. As a frame of reference, find a photo of a project that looks like what you want your final result to be.

How Long Does Tiki Palm Thatch Last?

If your project is outdoors all year long, it can last up to five years – six if the climate is drier. If the structure is indoors, however, the tiki palm thatch that  Tiki Palm Thatch Ideas, Installation and Info covers it can last indefinitely because it is not being touched by the harsh elements of sun, rain and wind. Speaking of harsh elements, it is very important to treat your thatch rolls with fire retardant; a high quality supplier will offer them already pre-treated, which is preferable because a commercial application of fire retardant will likely provide better coverage.

Finally, a sealer should also be applied to ensure your tiki palm thatch receives the best possible protection from the elements and has the longest lifespan possible; your supplier should offer this sealer, and should provide instructions on how to apply it to your rolls of thatch.

Tiki palm thatch is a decorative, and even highly functional, material that can instantly upgrade the quality of a space indoors or out. It’s great for homes and businesses of all types, making it one of the most versatile natural materials there is.

Tiki Thatch Ideas

What to Do with Tiki Thatch ?

Sometimes, homeowners know they want a “tiki-ed” backyard but don’t know exactly what that should look like. They may like the tropical aesthetic, but don’t necessarily know what projects will carry out the vision they ultimately have for a tropical themed backyard. That’s understandable – and fortunately, we can help! We have tons of tiki thatch ideas, and they can help homeowners plan for a backyard, patio, pool area or other space that emanates a tropical look and feel.

First and foremost, there’s the thatched roof. This is one of the most common tiki thatch projects there is, and there are many ways to carry it out. Structures that look great adorned with tiki thatch include patio structures that have been built separately from the main house; installing tiki thatch on the roof can make this look like the “outdoor room” it’s meant to be.

Other tiki thatch ideas include tiki hut roofs, or – for those who prefer a European aesthetic to a tropical one – an English cottage roof. If you have a small dwelling that fits that description and you want to really take it over the top, a tiki thatch roof may be just the design addition you need. If you are concerned about fire hazards, rest assured that our thatch is made from fresh Mexican palm leaves that have been cured, rolled into strips and woven into sheets, then treated with a powerful fire retardant.

Another suggestion for homeowners looking for tiki thatch ideas is to use tiki thatch as a fence cover. It’s a great alternative to bamboo fencing covers, because it is thick enough to provide the coverage you want for real privacy. So many of today’s homes are surrounded by low fences that let neighbors see everything; by covering your fence with thick rolls of tiki thatch, you can minimize these privacy disruptions and enjoy your backyard more.

Want more tiki thatch ideas? Here are some quick ones you can run wild with!

• Use tiki thatch as a treehouse covering

• Use it as a cover for an existing barn, or as part of a detached garage-to-barn conversion

• Cover your actual home roof with it! Many homeowners have done this successfully. Because our tiki thatch can have a 20-year lifespan, this is very do-able. Contractors can help carry out the job to improve its success.

There are numerous tiki thatch ideas to be found online, complete with photos that reveal a successful end result. The key is to purchase your tiki thatch from a supplier that has selected the best cuts, and treated the thatch properly so that it lasts you for years to come.