Tiki huts and umbrellas have become a signature of beach life and the Caribbean islands. Do you own a hotel, a restaurant, or a summer house near or in front of the beach? Discover how to make a tiki hut umbrella by yourself with this guide.
Reasons to Have a Tiki Hut Umbrella
A tiki hut umbrella could add so much to your property’s outdoor appeal. This type of structure is prevalent in resorts and other businesses near the beach.
Thatched umbrellas are ideal for the beach, pool area, seating, and small rustic bars. It would surely give your property an island and tropical touch.
The best part is that a thatched tiki umbrella is attractive and accomplishes the primary function of protecting visitors from sunlight and rain. Likewise, they offer insulation, meaning that it keeps a pleasant temperature under it no matter how hot the surrounding temperature is.
Above all, thatched tiki umbrellas are a natural, long-lasting, recyclable, and therefore an eco-friendly solution.
Tips to Build Your Own Tiki Hut Umbrella
Find out these helpful tips to build a tiki umbrella for your home or business:
Plan the Right Location to Place Your Tiki Hut Umbrella
There are several designs and sizes for tiki hut umbrellas. To choose the one that best suits your house or business property, you must keep in mind the surroundings and the purpose of the umbrella.
The surroundings are essential not only for weather conditions but also because it has to match your property, especially if it’s a thematic hotel, resort, or restaurant.
Another question you could ask yourself regarding the location is how much space do you have? The answer to this will determine the desired size and probably even your tiki hut umbrella design.
Plus, you must think about the type of soil where you are putting your tiki hut umbrella. Are you going to place it right in front of the beach in the sand? Or in a solid concrete pool deck? Do you want to make your tiki hut movable or static?
Choose The Right Design and Material
Research all the materials available. Would you rather go for synthetic or natural thatch? Get informed about the advantages and drawbacks of each one.
You could choose among African reed panels, viro reed, Mexican thatch, tiki grass, etc. Most thatches come in panels or rolls. Pick the one that will make it easier for you to install.
Likewise, there are synthetic thatch options available. This type won’t require regular cleaning and maintenance as they are not prone to pests. However, they are not equally pleasant aesthetically.
Gather The Necessary Tools and Materials
Here we suggest a list of the materials you may need to make your tiki hut umbrella:
- Wood or bamboo
- A wood pole
- Plywood
- Thatched panels or rolls
You will need a tape measure, a hammer, a shovel, screws, a power drill, screwdrivers, a miter saw and jigsaw, and nails or staples.
Moreover, some of these materials and tools could vary according to the desired design and the previously chosen materials for your tiki hut umbrella.
Place the Support Pole
The support pole is one of the vital parts of the tiki hut umbrella because it keeps it in place. No matter how small and lightweight your tiki hut umbrella is; the pole must be strong enough to support it and resist wind.
There are several options. You can buy a thin pole or go for a naturally small tree trunk to give it a natural appearance. To install it, you must dig a hole with a shovel. Make sure it’s deep enough to support the structure.
If your tiki hut umbrella will be on the chosen site permanently, you could even consider pouring concrete around the pole to secure it. If you decided to have a movable tiki hut umbrella, you could make a small base out of concrete.
Build The Roof Structure
A good piece of advice would be to build part of the roof structure on the ground level. You could choose plywood and bamboo as your primary material for the skeleton.
Depending on the type of thatch panels you buy and the measurements you previously gather, you’ll know how much open space you can live on your framework. Some panels require a solid and plain foundation to be installed; in this case, you could use plywood boards.
Tiki hut umbrella frames tend to be small and not so heavy. However, you’d probably need assistance to assemble the roof on the support pole.
Moreover, another solution could be ordering a premade umbrella cover with aluminum frames, making the installation even more accessible.
Install Thatch Panels
The easier way to go is to buy premade tiki thatch roofs in panels or rolls instead of real palm leaves. The most common way to install them is to staple them on the bamboo skeleton. Make sure to overlay the panels and cover the edges.
The last step is to finish placing the tiki umbrella in your desired location, and you can start using them. Another option is to choose among easy assemble umbrella kits available in the market. If you pick this option, make sure you read the instructions.
If you found this project easy and want to do a bigger one, you could also learn how to build a tiki hut step by step to turn your property into a truly tropical paradise.
Final Touches and Decorations
Once the tiki hut umbrella is all set up, it’s time for you to customize the surroundings. Consider placing lounge chairs under it for people to rest. You could also buy a redwood table where people can put their belongings or drinks.
Depending on the size of your tiki hut umbrella, you could even add bigger outdoor seats for people to have their meals under it. And lastly, you could start using and enjoying your tiki hut umbrella.
Get The Help of Experts Tiki Hut Builders
Sunshine Tiki Huts offers several features to enhance the outdoor of your business or summer house. From tiki huts to chickee huts and genuine Mexican thatch installation.
When working with us, you won’t be limited in the designs and style options. Thanks to our experience, we have the ability to customize tiki huts, helping you bring to life your desired structure.
Call our professional team if you need a tiki hut builder!