Hut Recommendations

My wife and I are going to build a poolside hut for relaxing and summer sun shelter.

There are a few hut providers about and my query is about roofing materials.

Roofing materials fall into two camps - Reed thatch and Bali thatch

Reed thatch

http://www.baliandafricanthatchhutsfactorydirect.com.au/Index.asp?pagename=African+Huts&site=1&siteid=7931

Bali thatch

http://www.baliandafricanthatchhutsfactorydirect.com.au/Index.asp?pagename=Bali+Huts&site=1&siteid=7931

My preference is for Bali thatch, but I'm not sure how durable it will be - especially during nesting season.

Your thoughts?

What to look for?

You left out one option...
Read this thread.
http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=47768&forum=20

I decided against natural thatch for my A-frame mostly because of the fire risk issues as it is close to my barbeque area,
though, this probably wouldn't be too much of a worry pool-side.... maybe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp1m80QUPTQ

At the time, I wanted to use synthetic thatch but availability was a problem here in the west, however,
I intend to track some down when it comes time to re-roof in a year or two.

The durability, colour fastness, and fire resistance of the artificial stuff seems to tick all the boxes.
Also, because it's not edible, vermin are discouraged, but still looks very similar to natural thatch.

I ended up using reed fencing and although it looks ok, the shaggy look of thatch would be better.

If you happen to do any research into synthetic thatch could you please make known the results as I know
there are suppliers in the east and would like to have some shipped over. :)

p.s. watching the above youtube clip, I can't decide whether that is the sound of crickets in the background, or an alarm.
If they are crickets, this is likely the sound you will hear when you ask your friends over to help build your hut. :roll:

[ Edited by: komohana 2014-10-14 21:43 ]

I live on the East Coast of the US and we get a lot of snow in the winter so we went with artificial thatch too. It's not the same style as the one posted above.

Here's our build thread - scroll to the bottom of the first page. It looks good from a distance but a little fake looking close up. No one examines it that close though. Overall, I'm really pleased because I have a feeling the real stuff would be showing wear by now.

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=42865&forum=20&start=0&hilite=Gator%20hut

Good luck with your build!

Many thanks for the recommendations.

I wasn't aware of artificial thatch - I'lll look into it. The environment here is similar to California, and my main concern is not weather, but nesting birds.

Lorikeets, Kookaburra's, Rosella's Magpies etc have made their presence felt on my brush fence over the years. I can see bali thatch being very popular with them.

Here is where the hut will go: the plan it to cantilever it so it extends a metre or so over the pool.

Can't wait to see your build. Be sure to take a post lots of pictures. I'm already liking the folliage.

On 2014-10-14 20:07, komohana wrote:

If you happen to do any research into synthetic thatch could you please make known the results as I know
there are suppliers in the east and would like to have some shipped over. :)

for anyone in the future in the US who need stuff for tiki huts:

My pal Dave here in San Diego imports for wholesale/retail all those artificial and real types of hut covers. bamboo, thatch, all that stuff.

Here are a few of the artificial ones for reference.
http://www.backyardxscapes.com/thatch-products/artificial-thatch.html
He had a new one last time I was there that looks a lot more like the real stuff. They also have all that artificial African and reed stuff too.

Real stuff:
http://www.backyardxscapes.com/thatch-products/natural-thatch.html

There's usually a lot more that's available that is not on the website. It's always best to call to see what the have.

Call him at 858 752 6100 Ask for Dave. Any questions you have he'll be able to help you. Tell him I sent you because then he hooks me up with some free moldy split bamboo the next time I see him!They can ship too. That's what they do....

Buzzy Out!

[ Edited by: Bay Park Buzzy 2014-10-24 18:45 ]