FAQ

PALAPA KITS

What is included in a kit?
Assembly instructions, pre-marked and drilled wooden frame, pressure treated wood, a double layer of pre-woven, easy to install woven palm thatch, hardware, and assembly instructions. For your convenience, a small amount of additional wood will be included in the kit.

Is the wood uniform in color/texture?
No. The palapas are meant to appear somewhat rustic, rough and slightly imperfect. The few visible cracks and variance in wood hue add to the desire effect, a beautiful, authentic palapa.

Is it hard to build my own palapa?
The single pole palapa is the easiest to build. A handy person, comfortable with the use of a hand drill and staple gun should have no trouble following the instructions to put together a palapa. The pre-woven thatching is easy to install. The 2 poles “Cancun” style and the 4 poles “Huts” are somewhat more complicated and require two people to put them together.

What if the palapa is bigger or smaller than I had envisioned?
Be sure of the size that you choose, as the palapas are not returnable items. You might want to mark out the size to help you imagine how it will look when complete.

How tall are the palapas?
The highest point ranges from approximately 8’7” for smaller palapas up to about 10’ to 10-1/2’ for larger single pole palapas. Head clearance varies from 6’8” to about 7'. Traditional woven “Cabo” thatch will hang slightly below the rim.

Diameter
Is measured across the palapa, rim-to-rim. As “Fiji” style thatch tends to extend outward (not hanging downward like traditional thatch), the final diameter of your structure will be larger than the stated size.

Wind Resistance
Palm capes hold up well in windy areas when secured correctly - the woven thatch permits air circulation. The thatch also does well in hot, dry climates.

Home Owner Associations: We recommend that you consult with your association regarding acceptability of palapas.

THATCH

What can I use to cover my tiki bar, awning, barbecue, or custom rooftop?
Thatch capes, each measuring about 3’ x 4’, are perfect for any custom size structure. FIJI thatch strips, measuring 2' X 5' are incredibly thick and long lasting. They are easy to install too! Woven Palm thatch (including “Fiji” style) is from Mexico and reed thatch is made in Africa.

How do I install the thatch capes?
Install in rows, beginning at lower edge. Lay them side by side like shingles and staple into place. Start in the front of your structure, then lay another row above it, etc. Move upward to lay the next row, covering about 9" to 10" of the first row. Continue upward in the same manner. Always use a double layer (for a plush appearance) and use ½” staples (or slightly larger) to wooden framing or roof. Thatch won't shed and can be cut to fit corners/sides. “Fiji” thatch is installed using a single layer.

How much Traditional thatch should I buy?
A good rule of thumb, although not exact, is to take the total square footage to be covered and double it (for a double layer of thatch). Each cape measures about 12 sq ft, so divide the total by 12 and then add 10 or 15% for overlapping and overhang. The result is the approximate number of capes needed for your project.
*Remember to buy in multiples of 12, as the capes are packed in bales with 12 pcs in each bale.

Does the thatch shed or unravel?
The capes do not shed or unravel. You can easily cut and trim the thatch pieces to fit corners and sides. FIJI thatch: Is sewn at the top, so you can cut off the length needed and the off the ends to keep them in place.

Fiji Description: Each panel measures 2'6" wide by 2' from top to bottom edge and is between 4 to 6" thick. The top is sewn together with marine cord and only one layer is needed for a full, plush covering.

Fiji Installation: Using 1" X 1" staples, secure each panel along its top edge. It can also be hung with clips to the roof surface (panels can be purchased with or without clips).
Framing - About 14" (or less) between each row; begin by laying the panels along the bottom row. Excess thatch at the end of a row can be cut off...be sure to tie off ends so that they don't unravel. Moving upward, continue stapling with 2nd, 3rd rows, etc until the thatch reaches the top. Hose off the thatch to remove any palm residue that might wash onto patio deck.

Fishnet w/Fiji thatch: If panels are secured to an open framed aaastructure (not a solid roof), it's a good idea to stretch fishnet over the frame prior to attaching the Fiji thatch. (fishnet available at Tropical Shade).
The fishnet serves two purposes: Decoration and it will provide extra support to keep the thatch in place.

Fiji: How many panels should I buy?

Consider that each panel measures 5 sq ft. Roughly, you can take the total square footage of your structure and divide it by 5, then for overlapping and overhang, add about 25% to your total. This result is approximate & depends upon how you lay out the thatch at the time of installation.

How long does the thatch last?
In dry climates properly installed FIJI thatch lasts from 10 to 15 or more years depending upon wheather the climate is dry or humid/wet. Traditional woven thatch generally lasts about 3 to 5 years. We recommend avoiding wear & tear caused by overhead leaves, or cats and might be advantagous to cover your thatch if you live in an area that is always wet, or when it snows.

Does the thatch require any special care?
No. When thatch is new and first exposed to the rain, the palm sometimes leaches a natural runoff that can spot the ground, but washes off. To avoid unnecessary cleanup work, the thatch should be thoroughly hosed down. This may be repeated a couple of times. Very rarely excessive humidity in the environment can cause light mildew spotting of the palm material to occur. This can be left alone with no ill-effect to the palm or can be partially removed by spraying the affected area with 25% bleach/ 75% water mixture, then thoroughly hosing off affected areas. Do this on a sunny day.

Does the thatch withstand heavy winds?
The woven thatch on properly installed palapas holds up well in heavy coastal California winds– tiny woven holes permit air circulation and will “breathe” with the wind instead of fighting it as canvas or metal does.

Fire retardant treated thatch is also available; pre-treated to Class A or B, ASTM E-84. Tropical Shade Masters, Inc. is licensed by the California State Fire Marshall for application of flame retardants. We recommend that you consult with your local Fire Marshall as to your intentions prior to fire treating any materials. Fire retardant treated thatch guarantee is limited to the cost of retardant product replacement.

TABLES

Do I want one?
Tables slip over the top of the palapa pole before putting together the framing, so you should decide in advance if you are going to want one. Various sizes and styles are available.

ONLINE ORDER

Why was my credit card charged and my product(s) still haven't arrived?
Because the majority of our products are special order, your credit card will be charged at the time that you place your order. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please call us at (858) 272-1598.

I'm ordering a kit, a tabletop and some extra thatch. Will I be charged shipping?
You will not be charged shipping for your kit. The tabletop and extra thatch will incur a slight charge, which will be reflected on the checkout section of your shopping cart. You will not be charged until you hit the "complete order" button to submit your order.

I need to return something. Why is there a 15% restocking fee?
The 15% restocking fee is in affect for all sales over $100, to cover our own time and expense involved in a return item. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, our customer service staff will try to help you with this on a case-by-case basis.

I have sent an e-mail and left messages, no one has replied to me.
We make every attempt to respond to everyone within 48 business hours. If we have not responded within that time frame, please contact us at (858) 272-1598.

Can I purchase a palapa as a surprise birthday or wedding gift?
Of course. Be sure to coordinate this directly with us. We will try our best to coordinate shipping within your time frame. All shipping originates out of California.

*San Diego, Orange County and parts of Riverside County.