Tag Archives: Thatch

Thatch umbrellas and structures evoke picturesque images of a tropical paradise and a lush and languid life-style. The people of the tropics definitely got it right when they designed their homes with this amazing resource. Not only is it a beautiful material with many functions, thatch is an incredibly green product to use as well.

What is thatch?

In general, thatch is a form of dried grasses or other plants. The dried material is often tied together with string or rope to create a thatch panel that is used for creating umbrellas, roofing for structures, or palapas. The types of thatch varies on the type of plant used to make it. Mexican Palm Thatch tends to have a very plush and fluffy appearance that's great for the relaxed beach look. This is made from the dried Mexican palm leaf and is the most popular thatch with its warm hues of yellow and sandy beige and is in use by many homes, resorts, and businesses. The next popular style is the Tahitian palm thatch. This does not look as "messy" as the Mexican but is another popular island beach style material to use. The Tahitian is more grey-ish in hue and is very luxurious and sophisticated. This type of thatch is seen frequently on island resorts such as Bora Bora. Like the Mexican, the Tahitian is made from dried palm leaves unique to its area (hence the different colors) and is lashed together with nylon string to create streamlined panels that are ready to install.

If you'd like a truly unique look, the African reed thatch is a gorgeous material to use. It is the most structured looking out of all the thatches with its special blend of golds, browns, and greens. Companies have also started coming out with synthetic versions of thatch which lasts up to 20 years.

Why use thatch?

Thatch is a wonderfully versatile material. The traditional method is to use it for any overhead structures but it can also double up as a beautiful party material. Dress up tables, tiki bars, and tiki huts using thatch as skirts to add tropical or island flair to your festivities. This material is also a great insulating material. During the warm months, thatch keeps your cool from its shade and the space of air pockets between the grasses keeps the heat from penetrating the building. During the colder months, these same pockets of air keeps the inside  warmer. Thatch is also environmentally friendly with a low carbon foot-print and is 100% recyclable. Creating umbrellas and palapas do not require heavy machinery and the construction of thatch panels is green as well.

Stop by our store for a huge variety of styles, sizes and colors and get started on your tropical paradise! If you have any questions regarding the length, style, or amount needed for your projects, give us a call or chat online with our friendly and knowledgeable staff!

Happy New Year everyone! With the beginning of the new year, it's time to get started on your New Year's resolutions! Have you always wanted that new backyard or re-model an existing yard? At Forever Bamboo, we have the highest commercial quality products that will help you make your own tropical paradise! With the new year starting, we also set new resolutions for ourselves as well! We will start updating this blog to bring you the best and creative DIYs, indoor and outdoor inspirations, and specials.

Resolutions can range from something huge like adding in new bamboo fencing to something small like adding bamboo poles in the vase indoors. Both are great for updating your outdoor and indoor space. Bamboo fencing is a clean and modern fencing that is easy to install and environmentally friendly. Create new borders with your bamboo fencing or attach it to existing old fencing to update your look. If you are looking for a small decor face-lift, try adding bamboo poles in a long decorative vase to empty corners or use it to accent entry ways. Bamboo poles will subtly bring a room together while giving it texture with its height and texture.

Another great way to create a backyard paradise is to add a beautiful thatch umbrella or hut. We offer the finest thatch out in the market with many different styles. The Mexican and Tahitian thatch offer the traditional resort look which conjures up images of a lush and tropical beach. We also offer the African Reed thatch that will add an exotic yet clean look to your space. If you want to keep a more permanent thatch, we also offer the synthetic Viro thatch that will last a very long time and look just like the real thing!

We will be updating our blog regularly from now on, so be on the lookout for amazing DIYs, inspirations, and other features!

So you have decided you’re going to transform your backyard into a tropical paradise. You installed yards and yards of bamboo fencing, you’ve built a tiki bar that will make the neighbors jealous and purchased numerous thatch panels to insulate your palapa, line your tiki bar or accent any flat surface. But how do you install that thatch? It won’t just stand up on its own and there is no magical sticky surface to secure it to. Thatch is easy to install if you employ the proper technique.

First of all, thatch requires a stable, solid surface to be attached to. When securing to a tiki bar, a sub-surface of plywood is recommended. Simply lay a piece of plywood larger than the bar, over the bamboo skeleton and secure with nails. The surface needs to be free of debris and suited for stapling or nailing.

When purchasing thatch, first measure the total square footage of the area to be covered in feet and divide by the length of each panel in feet; double this number if you wish to install a double layer of thatch for generous coverage. Add 10-15% on to the total for overlapping and overhang. This number is the total number of panels you will need for your project.

Once you have a secure surface, attach the base of the thatch panel or runner roll using a staple gun with at least ½” staples or a hammer and at least ½” nails. Start at the bottom and overlap each panel horizontally, working your way up, working in a spiraling pattern for circular roofs or palapas. The thatch should lay flat and run down the length of the awning or roof with a few inches hanging over the edge. When laying thatch, be generous in the number of layers to avoid bare spots.

Protect yourself against unnecessary scratches by wearing long sleeves, pants and gloves whenever cutting, installing or otherwise working with thatch. Additionally, you will want to have heavy duty scissors and zip ties on hand in case you need to cut the thatch to fit the roof or hold seams together if you run out in the middle of a layer.

Once your thatch is installed, it requires little to no maintenance. It can withstand surprisingly strong winds and rain. Initially, there may be some runoff after the first rain, but this washes away easily. Additionally, you can use a diluted bleach solution in a spray bottle if the thatch starts to mold. With minimal upkeep a thatch roof will last 3-5 years, depending on weather. The top will need to be replaced first as it is the most exposed to harsh weather conditions. Keep an eye on your roof and replace or clean panels as necessary.

Thatch has been a widely used building material for hundreds of years. It is environmentally friendly, economically viable and decoratively useful. Originally, thatch was enlisted to protect homes from hostile climates all over the world. Today, thatch is used by indoor and outdoor decorators to create an island-like setting and a feeling of tropical abandon in restaurants and homes alike.

Most thatch comes from countries and regions near the equator, like Mexico, Africa and Tahiti, where the hollow grasses and palm leaves used for weaving are readily available. Since the material for constructing thatch does not need to be mined or quarried, there is no waste produced in the construction of thatch. In fact, most thatching material is simply picked up off the ground after it has fallen off a tree because it is drier, stronger and easier to work with.

The construction of thatch naturally creates air pockets that ultimately make thatch a high-quality insulator. This originally unintentional side effect conveniently keeps the refuge of a palapa cool during the summer and warm through the winter. The surprisingly durable grass is also supremely weather resistant. Hollow reeds do not absorb water through a rainstorm and when placed on an angle of 50 degrees or steeper, force water to drip down and off the structure, ensuring that the thatch maintains its shape and does not become soggy or flimsy. Thatch is equally capable of enduring intense heat as it simultaneously creates shade and relief from the sun; it also fades to a nice shade of gray.

While thatch is obviously environmentally practical, it is also widely used in commercial, retail and private establishments to create an island ambiance. Tropical-themed bars, restaurants and parties never go out of style as everyone is always game for a luau. Thatch is easy to install and can be secured to just about any surface with nails, ties or glue to immediately evoke tropical imagery and the need for mai-tai. Use thatch panels to insulate or accent an empty wall, a thatch top cone to add life to an old umbrella or a runner roll to create a unique border for your backyard or party space. With so many styles and configurations to choose from, you’re sure to find a thatch piece to suit your decorative and/or practical needs while simultaneously maintaining or initiating a “green” lifestyle.

A thatch runner is a roll of thatch, typically 30 inch by 10, 20, 30, 60 feet.  You can use the runner of thatch for decoration, especially if you have an island theme in mind.  The most popular thatch runner is made from hand woven palm leaves.  The life span of palm thatch is approximately 3-5 years, doing best in warm or dry climates.  When using a thatch runner or roll of thatch, you will unroll and cut it to the size that will fit the area you are covering.

It’s best to start from the lower edge of the work area and staple over the nylon webbing, typically found at the top of your thatch runner.

It helps if you screw a strip of furring (wood works best – at least 1”) over the nylon webbing.

Install the remainder thatch by overlapping your sections.  The bottom edge of thatch will cover only 6 inches or so, into the subsequent layer.

Have fun and don’t forget your sunscreen while working outside!

Thatch is an insulation material and is also used as a building material for roofing. Thatching is the popular choice when it comes to thatching your tiki hut, it is attractive, durable, and affordable.

For heavy-duty wear and tear; synthetic thatch is a consideration, but synthetic thatch is more expensive. Palm thatch is the most popular choice for theme décor, especially when it comes to Tiki huts or Tiki bars. There are different varieties of palm leaves to choose from, the best being palms that have leaves similar to a queen, king, or kentia palm.

Palm fronds are long and finger-like coming off the main leaf stalk.

You also have a variety of sizes. You can purchase palm thatch in square sections: either, 3' x 4' or 4' x 4'. There are also rolls of palm thatch available: 30" x 22' or 30" x 57'. It’s best to calculate the square footage of your roof first, so you are aware of how much thatching is required. It is helpful to purchase an additional 10%, just in case. If your roof is a unique size, you may want to get a bit extra to avoid having to use small pieces of palm thatch. You can even purchase treated palm thatch you can that is fire retardant if that is a concern for you.

When it comes to thatching your roof, you have options, keeping your roof dimensions in mind. If you are using a plywood base, you can easily staple the thatch directly to the roof. There are other methods that might make it easy to attach and remove the thatch.

For example: the use of wood lathing, 2" wide x 1/4" thick x 8' long. Lay the thatching on the roof and then place the lathing over the palm thatch every foot. Screw the lathing down using rubber gasket screws into the joists. You can also use chicken wire over the palm thatch and attach the chicken wire at the outside edges of the roof. If you are not using a plywood roof and have an open roof between joists, you need support under the thatch, at least ever 4 inches, or so.

Tips to make your thatching water resistant:

Thatch is often installed on a plywood base. The plywood helps make the roof water resistant. If you do not have a plywood base, you have a few alternatives. You can use two or three layers of thatch, staggering the thatch. Or you might use a layer of transparent plastic between two layers of thatch. Face one thatch layer down and the other up so that the plastic layer in between is not visible.

The photographs used in this and most of the blogs are merely visuals to see what a panel or material option might look like. The photos are not directly related to the instructions and tips above or the other blogs in this site.