Palm fronds are the perfect roofing material for a tiki hut.
The roof of a tiki hut can make or break the overall appearance and feel of the structure. Most often, tiki huts have thatched roofs from straw or palm leaves, tied to the framework and layered for thickness. Thatching a roof is not a difficult task; however, it is very time consuming. If you do not have access to straw or palm fronds, grass skirts found in party supply stores will also work. It is best to attach leaves while they are still mostly green, because as they dry, they become brittle and can break.
Instructions
1. Measure the area you would like to cover in shade above the tiki bar, or the existing supports.
2. Cut four cedar posts based on your measurements in Step 1 for the base of the roof and attach them in a rectangle with screws. Set the rectangular frame on top of the legs of the hut. Drill in screws at a downward angle to attach the rectangle frame into the legs of the bar.
3. Cut five posts 3 feet long. Cut both ends of the posts into a triangle shape by making angled cuts from 6 inches from the end towards the end on both sides and ends of the posts with a saw.
4. Place a post with both ends narrowed on the work surface. Use two of the other posts to make an upside down V with the point of the V meeting one narrow end of the center post. Screw two screws into each side of the posts that attach into the center post. Repeat for the other end. This will create a pitched roof with the center pole being the tallest pole in the roof.
5. Attach this frame to the rectangle frame built in Step 2. Screw two screws into each post at a downward angle into the rectangle frame.
6. Measure the distance from the taller center post of the roof down to the bottom rectangle frame and add 1 foot.
7. Cut several lengths of bamboo to this measurement. The exact amount will depend on the size of the structure.
8. Screw bamboo poles vertically from the taller center post to the bottom rectangular frame and allow the bamboo to extend about 1 foot over the post. Attach bamboo poles every foot along both sides of the roof and at least one on each end.
9. Screw bamboo poles horizontally to the vertical poles spacing them every foot.
10. Tie a string to the bottom bamboo pole beginning in one corner. Lay a palm frond, with the stem pointing towards the tip of the roof, against the bamboo pole and wrap the string around the stem twice and around the bamboo pole once. Layer another frond over the first, with the stems beside one another and tie the string around the stem twice and the pole once. Continue adding fronds in this fashion to cover the roof. If you are covering the roof with straw, take a small bunch of straw and place it the same as if it were a frond, tie the string around the bunch and pull tightly. Grab another bunch of straw and repeat. Make the bunches smaller than the opening of a 20-oz. drink bottle.
Tips Warnings
Speed up the process by purchasing rolls of thatching and cutting to fit the roof.
Do not cover your Tiki Bar with a plastic tarp over winter. This is one of the worst things that you can do to your Bar. The reason for this is that the tarp will trap moisture, preventing air circulation and promoting mold and rot.
Tags: tiki, roof, center post, rectangle frame, bamboo pole, bamboo poles, string around, around stem, around stem twice, both ends, both sides
