Using Bamboo Paneling for a Better Home

If you are planning to remodel your home soon, you may want to consider using bamboo paneling for your wall paneling or flooring needs. Although a bit more expensive than regular wood, bamboo paneling is highly regarded in the wood and timber industry because of its eco-friendly, aesthetically attractive and renewable characteristic. Grown in most parts of the world, bamboo is easily replaceable as it grows rapidly and can easily adapt to a varied climatic condition.


A Closer Look at Bamboo Paneling


Bamboo paneling is most commonly made of a bamboo species called Moso. The mature bamboo, usually reaching a height of 35 to 40 feet, is harvested and checked for deformities or pests. Those passing the quality check are then cut into slats, chemically treated to eradicate the pests and then dried. Dried bamboo slats are then glued together to form a bamboo paneling.


Different Uses of Bamboo paneling


Paneling made from bamboo may be used as flooring. Bamboo flooring can either have vertical or horizontal grain orientation and is available in different colors from natural or a darker color similar to oak. Dark colored bamboo plywood goes through a process called carbonizing. Through carbonizing, the wood undergoes exposure to heat and pressure to generate the desired color. Bamboo paneling is also used in making wall panels, ceilings or cabinets. As bamboo has an excellent water resistant property, it is even recommended for use in kitchens or bathrooms where hardwood and other wood laminates are not used.


Bamboo as an Eco-friendly Alternative


Bamboo paneling is usually more expensive that the regular paneling. But despite its cost, a lot of people prefer using this because it is a highly renewable resource available in most countries. Bamboo, classified as a grass and not a tree, is ready for harvest in four years while other hardwoods take around 100 years to mature. Harvesting bamboo does not disrupt the plant’s root system therefore no replanting is need for the bamboo to grow back.


Being the world’s tallest grass, bamboo is also as resilient as any other grass. Because of this resilience, it has even inspired people to see wisdom in what the bamboo represents. At one point, the once lowly bamboo was even compared to hardwood and according to a Japanese proverb, “A bamboo that bends is stronger than an oak that resists.” Literally or figuratively, the bamboo has many uses in homes. All we need to do is to look around us to resolve how this green grass can help us improve our homes and our lives.

A Thatch Hut for Your Garden

Have you ever seen a thatch hut? If you have, then surely you know how relaxing it is to stay in it. There are different designs for these kinds of huts. This includes reed thatch, Balinese thatch, Japanese thatch, exotic thatch and tropical thatch hut. These huts are usually used in restaurants that have outdoor cafes and accommodations. Using these huts is actually more practical for restaurant and other businesses. This is because it can provide the customers with a relaxing ambiance and at the same time will not require air conditioning. This can save money and attract more people for a restaurant.

The use of thatch hut is not just limited to restaurants; you can have one in your home too. A thatch hut would make a great addition in the garden. Just imagine spending your hot summer afternoon in your backyard under the refreshing shade of a tropical thatch hut with a cold beverage in your hand. You and your family can enjoy fun outdoor activities in the hut. In social gatherings and parties, the hut can be a great place to sit down and have a chat with someone. In addition to its practical uses, a thatch hut can also increase the beauty of your yard. Just by looking at it can make someone feel refreshed.

However, before placing an order for this new ornament in your garden there are things that you should consider first. The thatch hut may take up most of your garden space if your yard is just a small one. Determine the size of this tropical thatch hut that you are going to buy and make an estimate of how much space it will take up in your garden. If it is too big, you can ask the provider if there is a smaller version of the thatch hut. If there is none, you can always look for alternatives for your dilemma. You can attach the hut to the garden wall so that it will consume little space. You can also try building the hut around a tree if you have tree in your garden.

The next thing to ensure is if it will match the theme of your backyard. Some landscaping designers would disagree of having a tropical thatch hut in their project if it is not suited with the ambiance they are trying to achieve. Coordinate first with your landscape designer before making any additions to your garden.

After ensuring that all of these are done, you can now order your tropical thatch hut and build it in your garden. Speaking of building, the huts may come as parts that you will have to assemble. There are instructional materials to guide you through the process. However if you do not have time for this, you can always ask the provider of the thatch hut if their services also include a staff to build the hut for you. You may just have to pay for an additional fee and a tip to the staff.

How to Use Thatch Panels in your Backyard

Homeowners will often say that they run out of ideas when it comes to finding new design moves that will help them to revamp their out-of-doors entertaining and living areas after readjusting the decorative pieces or changing the color scheme of the outdoor furniture. One concept that is becoming increasingly popular this season is the use of thatch paneling as part of your exterior design. In prior generations, thatch was used to provide cover on warm days, but with todays design aesthetic, tiki thatch is used more as a decorative element outside and inside the home.

You have most likely seen this umbrella-like figure on the porticos of local Mexican eateries around town or at tropical parties hosted at your friends house. However, incorporating thatch panels into your own outdoor area is basic and adds to the feel in your outdoor area. Once you bring the palapa into your alfresco living quarters you'll want to spend all of your free time outside in the shade.

Here are a few ways that thatching will improve the look of your backyard:

1. With the right thoughtful care, thatch panels can last for many years. In dry environs with minor rainfall thatch can have a lifetime of three to five years. If you live in a place with more rainfall, you should buy a large tarp to cover and safeguard the thatch for longer usage for the future. If the product is correctly secured, it can endure winds up to 50 to 60 miles per hour, making it a great idea for those who live in windy climates.

2. There are endless applications for thatch panels. You would be shocked, but thatch has many uses that you may be oblivious of. These panels can be used to ornament tables, fences, tiki bars and barbecues. You will create a tropical feel when you add thatch to your outdoor party, backyard, garden, or business with very little effort. You can also adjust the paneling by having it fitted to your own special item with unique dimensions.

3.Thatch requires very little maintenance. Make sure you soak off the thatch panels several times every year to protect it from any dirt or buildup that may accumulate. When thatch is rained on for the first time, it can sometimes create a non toxic run off. Think of ways to guard the thatch from mold and filth, especially in areas with a colder and rainier climate.

4. Thatch panels come in a universal dimension to meet your size needs. The standard size of a palapa will stand at 8 feet and 6 inches at its tallest point. The outer rim is just about 7 feet tall and there is 6 inches of overhang, which gives a clearance of 6 feet 6 inches. Take into account these dimensions before you proceed with the purchase so you have enough square footage to hold the palapa in your backyard.

What is Tiki Mask?

Nowadays, you can find out Tiki Masks everywhere as a result of globalization and commercialization. The best examples for such instances are the Tiki room developed at the Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, tropical drinks and tiki bars. Tiki Masks are hand carved from wood and finished with oil or wax to give them an excellent sheen. Each Tiki mask is unique. They can add a distinctive decorative element to a home or office. Tiki Masks can also be displayed outdoors -- by your entrance to greet your guests or on a patio as a conversation piece. Tiki Masks represent spiritual deities that were called upon by island natives to ward off evil spirits from their dwelling places. They are well known in ancient and traditional worshipping style. Though there are many African deities, Tiki Masks do not wear out easily. Sometimes, the word Tiki is related to the thought of faux culture. Americans look out for Tiki Masks which are spirit oriented which helps them overcome every obstacle in their everyday life. For example, if you would like to be a winner in all the things that you carry out, you can install the ancient Tiki winner Mask which helps you bring all the good luck and fortune in the work you carry out. If you would like to be rich, you will have to install the God of money tiki mask, which according to ancient tradition is considered as the fortune maker.  It all depends upon your own belief and respect towards the ancient tradition and culture that will help you choose the perfect and the particular Tiki head for your everyday life happiness.