FAQ

The Mexican Palm Thatch lasts outdoors approximately 2-8 years, depending on the climate. If there is a lot of humidity, wind or rain, your thatch will last closer to the lower end of the spectrum. When the palm thatch needs to be replaced, many times only the top layer has deteriorated; this means the bottom layer can stay on and you will only need to pay for one layer of replacement thatch. You can purchase new layers of thatch through our "Thatch Roof - Materials - Extras" page, just click on thatch. The African Reed Thatch lasts approximately 5-12 years with the same determinants on life span as the palm thatch. The Tahitian Thatch last approximately 5-10 years with the same determinants on life span as the palm thatch. The Synthetic Thatch last 20+ years and 2 of the 3 brands warranty their products for 20 years. 

How long will it take for my product to get to me? This primarily depends on where you live. Many of our materials are in stock and ready to be shipped. We are located in California so if you are on the east coast shipping will take a few days longer to get to you. For the most accurate estimates please contact us. If your item needs to be built; depending on the size of the item, it usually will take no longer then 2 weeks plus delivery time but during our busy season usually not more than 4 weeks. How much does shipping cost? To get shipping prices simply click the "Add to Cart" button. You will then be brought to the shopping cart or individual product page if there are options you are required to choose. If the product does not require you to choose options, you will be brought to the shopping cart where you can enter your zip code for a shipping quote. If you are brought to the product page and you just want a shipping price simply scroll down and click "Add to Cart" again, input your zip code and click "Calculate". Currently the product options you choose do not change your shipping price. For smaller sized items you will be shown multiple UPS options & a freight option but for large items you will only be shown the freight option. If you want your order shipped to southern California & are ordering something that requires freight delivery, please call or email us for the best freight quote. 

I want my palapa to go into my permanent BBQ Island, how do I secure it? 

This can be accomplished several different ways. Here are a few. 

1. Install the palapa and build around it. 

2. When the Island is being build, have the builder leave a hole in the counter top the same size as the palapa pole. 

3. If the island is already built you will need to cut a hole in the counter yourself or hire a company to do it; there are companies that specialize in cutting concrete. When looking for a company to cut the hole look under "concrete breaking, cutting, sawing, etc.". 

Secure the pole(s) to the ground or into the ground.

Is it safe to put a palapa over my BBQ? 

Yes, when precautions are taken. One thing you can do to prevent accidental fire would be to purchase the fire retardant option during checkout. Many of our clients choose not to add this option due to the additional cost, but thatch is flammable and will ignite if a flame is applied to it. Purchasers are encouraged to take all necessary precautions to avoid fire. If you do not know the precautions that should be taken in your area contact your local fire marshal. Please be aware that treating the thatch with any products other than fire retardant may lead to the staining of your BBQ/Patio after rain. 

What is your return policy? 

Customers may return products with some limitations. CLICK HERE FOR RETURN POLICY 

If there are cracks in the wood can I return it? 

The term for these naturally occurring cracks is "checking" and the answer is "no." The wood comes this way, adding to its authentic rustic look. Don't worry, checking should not affect the structural integrity of the palapa. 

Why are there cracks in my palapa lumber? 

Cracking or "checking" happens as wood releases moisture, and normally occurs across or through the annual growth rings. It is the usual result of wood seasoning. Checking occurs mostly on the surface of the wood and should not affect the structural performance or integrity of the wood. The degree of checking will vary from product to product and occasionally even from log to log. 

Can I assemble the palapa myself? 

Yes, assembly is easy if you have some building experience. Step by step Instructions come with the product and explain in detail the assembly procedures. Tools are needed for assembly that are not provided with the kits. 

Is there anything that can be done to prolong the life of the thatch? 

Many of our customers have tried different methods, but we have not found applying additional chemicals to the thatch prolongs the life. We have found adding netting over or over thatch can prolong the life. Fire retardant seems to prolong the life of the thatch but we do not warranty or guarantee this. Other methods we have heard of include treating the thatch with wood preservatives/sealers, taking the thatch down seasonaly. 

What kind of wood is the palapa/tiki hut made out of? 

Our standard palapas are constructed out of mainly round pine lumber. Most of our African Reed Palapas are constructed with either a wood or metal roof frame of your choice. 

How do the palapas hold up in the wind? 

Palapas do excellent in the wind! In the number of years we have been in business, the only problem we have encountered in normal wind conditions is thatch coming loose. If you secure your palapa frame to the ground correctly and you secure the thatch correctly you shouldn't have any problems. This does not mean that your palapa will hold up in a hurricane, tornado or similar wind strength conditions. All natural thatch palapas over time will start to deteriorate in the rain and sun etc. so when it gets time to replace the thatch winds may start to remove your thatch roofing. We offer our "Thatch Save" netting to help prevent damage to thatch roofing during high winds. 

Do the palapa/ tiki hut kits have a warranty? Yes, each kit has a limited warranty which covers all structural materials and hardware. However the thatch is not covered in the warranty. 

The larger the size the palapa the more complex the installation. If you are worried about installation and you are not in our installation area, simply have a local contractor, landscaper or handyman service do the installation for you. Have your installer or perspective installer contact us if they have questions. If you want to become an installer in your area we would be happy to refer customer to you.

Yes but a custom palapa will be more expensive than a pre-designed palapa. If you work within our predesigned sizes, cost will be less than starting a kit from scrach. For example; we offer a 12x24 Mexican Palm hut but you want a 12x23 instead, this would be much less than if we were to build a 11x24 total custom hut. The reason a 11x24 hut would cost so much more is we wouldn't be able to use any of our predesinged framing where as the 12x23 we would. 

Is expedited shipping available? 

Yes for UPS packages but not for larger freight items. 

Mexican Palm Thatch is made from dried palm fronds (or leaves) that are hand woven in Mexico. 

African Reed Thatch is made from a reed plant in Africa, they look and feel very similar to bamboo. The reed has been cut and glued into panels that are approximately; 31 inches long by 18 inches from top to bottom and 1 inch thick. The diameter or the individual cut pieces that make up the panel is approximately 1/8 of an inch. 

Tahitian Thatch is made from dried palm fronds (or leaves) that are hand tied in Mexico. Tahitian thatch is approximately 1 inch thick where woven at the top of the panel. 

Most brands of synthetic Thatch we offer are made from Polyethylene. See product page to confirm for each product. 

How much will it cost to replace the thatch roof on my palapa? 

This depends on what size palapa you own. To see the pricing of the thatch replacement covers visit our Other Products page and select thatch. To get the exact price for a Mexican thatch item go to the order page for that item and click the dropdown menu under the Thatch roofing option. The thatch option will tell you the price per layer of thatch. Our Mexican palm palapas come standard with 2 layers but layers can be subtracted or added. The additional cost for a 3rd layer gives you the price per layer. For other style thatch structures please for the exact quantities required for your size structure.

How many years have you been building palapas? 

We built our first Palapa/Tiki Hut in 2002. We became a company in January 2003. 

Do you offer discounts for contractors? 

Yes. You have the option of selling our palapas in your area. First, you will need to send us your business resale certificate, a copy of your business license, as well as two trade references to be considered as a vendor. Or, we can deal with your clients directly. If you chose to have us deal with your clients, we can pay you 10% of the product(s) purchased price for your referral. (Some limitations apply, please contact us for details.) If you are purchasing a palapa for your own use, discounts will not apply. 

What is your privacy policy? 

Click here to view our privacy notice. 

Palapa Structures is a registered applicator of fire retardant chemicals with the state of California No.: GA-1390.01

Standard product used to treat thatch: Flame Stop Inc. Flame Stop II No.- C-25601.01 

S Industries Inc. DBA: Palapa Structures warrants that we have applied the registered fire retardants according to the fire retardant manufacturers instructions. No liability will be assumed or claims honored other than that the product was applied properly as directed by fire retardant manufacturer. Any claim will be limited to the purchased price of the fire retardant application only. Palapa Structures reserves the right to contract out the application of fire retardant to other registered applicators as deemed necessary. 

Documents provided to us by Flame Stop Inc. state; chemical Flame Stop II will last up to 5 years outdoor before needing to be reapplied Palapa Structures will not do on site applications or re-applications of fire retardant. 

Palapa Structures also recerves the right to use other chemicals than those listed above as needed. 

 Have a question? E-mail us at [email protected]