How to Build a Tiki Hut in Texas
The popularity of the tiki hut is on the rise in Texas. The village of Tiki Island, Texas, was born August 30, 1982 to support the tiki style of living. The distinct look of the tiki hut brings an island feel to Texas backyard pool parties and cook outs. Finding a tiki hut in a South Texas yard is not uncommon. Texans can easily build their own tiki hut with a few tools, bamboo poles and palm panels. The cost is minimal and with the help of an assistant, it takes only a few hours. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- 2 Texas grown bamboo poles, 5 feet
- 2 Texas grown bamboo poles, 7 feet
- 6 1 foot-by-3 foot treated boards, 6 feet
- 4 bolts with nuts, 6 inches
- Pliers
- Drill
- Hammer
- Nails
- Staple gun
- 4 buckets, 5 gallons
- Sand
- Paint
- Flame retardant Texas grown palm panels
Instructions
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1
Make a list of the items needed to complete the project. Purchase the bamboo poles from a Texas bamboo farmer to show support of the Texas Bamboo Society. Purchase palm panels grown from Texas palm trees.
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2
Measure 1 inch down from the top of each of the Texas-grown bamboo poles. Center and mark the spot. Drill a hole completely through to the other side of each pole. Center and drill a hole through each end of two of the 1-foot-by-3-foot boards.
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3
Attach a 1-foot-by-3-foot board horizontally to the front of one of the 5-foot Texas grown bamboo poles by inserting a 6-inch bolt through the board and pole. Screw the nut onto the end of the bolt. Tighten the nut with pliers. The board should be flush with the top of the pole. Repeat this process and attach the opposite end to the second 5-foot bamboo pole.
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4
Attach a 1-foot-by-3-foot horizontally to the front of one of the 7-foot bamboo poles by inserting a 6-inch bolt through the board and pole. Screw the nut onto the end of the bolt. Tighten the nut with the pliers. The board should be flush with the top of the pole. Repeat this process and attach the opposite end to the second 7-foot Texas-grown bamboo pole.
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5
Insert each of the two 5-foot bamboo poles into a 5-gallon bucket. Center each pole in the bucket. Fill the bucket with sand to secure the pole. This is the front of the tiki hut.
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6
Insert each of the two 7-foot bamboo poles into a 5-gallon bucket. Place these two buckets 6 feet behind the 5-foot Texas-grown bamboo poles. Center each pole in the bucket. Fill the buckets with sand to secure the poles. This is the rear of the tiki hut.
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7
Align one end of a 1-foot-by-3-foot board with the top of one of the 5-foot bamboo poles. Align the opposite end with the top of the 7-foot bamboo pole. Attach each end of the 1-foot-by-3-foot board to the top of the bamboo poles with the hammer and nails. Have an assistant hold the poles securely in place. This joins the front of the hut to the rear of the hut. The lumber should be centered over the tops of the poles. Repeat on the opposite side.
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8
Measure 1.5 feet from the edge of the roof frame. Lay a 1-foot-by-3-foot across the top of the frame at this point. Attach the board to the frame on both ends with the hammer and nails. Measure 1.5 feet from this board. Attach another 1-foot-by-3-foot board to the top of the frame with the hammer and nails. There should be a support board every 1.5 feet on the top of the roof frame.
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9
Position the four palm panels on the top of the roof. Use the staple gun to secure them to the boards.
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10
Paint the 5-gallon buckets with tropical colors.
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Tips & Warnings
Place the shorter 5-foot bamboo poles in the front and the taller 7-foot poles in the back to create a sloped roof for water drainage.
You may need longer bolts depending on the size bamboo poles used.
Fill the 5-gallon buckets with sand to stabilize them during the strong winds of Texas hurricane season.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
