How to preserve palapa fronds???

[MattyB]

Hey y'all.  I have a friend who just built a nice palapa and roofed it with mexican fan palm fronds.  Any suggestions for the best way to treat the fronds to extend their life?  Thompson's water seal, etc.? Any ideas are welcome.  Thanks, Matt.

[Alicehunter2000]

Don't think you have to treat them with anything. I remember a guy telling me in Fiji years ago that the coconut? fronds they used would last 30 years on a roof. Only replacing fronds if they get blown off by high winds. I would think in California weather they would last even longer......but I defer to someone else who actually knows if this is correct.

[QUINNPALMS]

I have built two palapas and depending how tight you weave the Mexican fronds you can get 20 yrs .... my neighbor has a 25ft palapa and the fronds lasted 20yrs untreated 

 

 

[Brett in Mission Viejo]

There are basically 3 types of commercial natural thatch I am aware of; Mexican, Tahitian, and African (which is really reed, not palm thatch). I built a palapa 10 years ago and decided to go with the Tahitian thatch. It is a tighter packed thatch, but a bit more expensive. It has been holding up fine. I was told Mexican thatch is not quite as durable, but I have no personal experience with it. I am not aware of any treatment, other than fire proofing, and I am not sure if it adds any durability. However, I built a waterproof sub-roof under the thatch, to prevent any leakage. So if the thatch does wear down and leak, I would probably not be aware of it.

[DoomsDave]

For sure firepoofing would be a good idea.

For when the Firebugs come to visit.

[Josh-O]

make sure to invite us over for a mai tai under that bad boy.....

[Palm Tree Jim]

9 hours ago, Josh-O said:

make sure to invite us over for a mai tai under that bad boy.....

Indeed.

[pigafetta]

23 hours ago, Alicehunter2000 said:

Don't think you have to treat them with anything. I remember a guy telling me in Fiji years ago that the coconut? fronds they used would last 30 years on a roof. Only replacing fronds if they get blown off by high winds. I would think in California weather they would last even longer......but I defer to someone else who actually knows if this is correct.

Id be extremely surprise if that was true.

I know In Indonesia they actually normally use Metroxylon sp fronds rather than Coconut fronds even though coconut are much more common as  Metroxylon leaflets are much wider and they only get a few years out of a roof if they are lucky.

[Really full garden]

Here on the Pacific coast of Guatemala I had to replace mine after 11 years. After about 5 years I had to have repairs made and every year thereafter. In shade they last just a few years. Here leaves of Sabal mexicana are used.

New palm thatch

 

[Josh-O]

14 hours ago, Palm Tree Jim said:

Indeed.

I knew you would approve!!:)

[mcrawford]

Common sense would say keeping dry would extend life, but when I lived in rainy S. Florida, I was told

the thatching would last up to 20 yrs.  I've had mine done for 12 yrs now (in central Az) and only have to

replace pieces lost to high wind.  I figure it will hold up until I'm 80 and too old to replace it.

 

[Pando]

There is synthetic thatch available. It's expensive, but may be worth looking into if fire proofing and longevity are important.

https://www.google.com/search?q=syntetic+thatch

Edited December 8, 2016 by Pando

[_Keith]

Are there any recommended youtubes or articles on the weaving process?

[DoomsDave]

1 hour ago, _Keith said:

Are there any recommended youtubes or articles on the weaving process?

Good to see you!

Come on in and chat some time . . . .

 

[rprimbs]

You know they do actually sell a "thatch sealer" 

Thatch Sealer

PS.  I guess that this is actually a link to the thatch fire retardant, but the thatch sealer is also on that page.