Here's a list of
common questions and answers.
If you
still have a question not shown
here, just email me and I'll answer
it. - Kevin
| Q: | I’m not an experienced builder, will I still be able to construct this tiki bar? |
| A: | Yes, you can. I give very detailed instructions showing pictures of a tiki bar being built with all parts labeled. These are not computerized, hard-to-read blueprints. I will take you through step-by-step of the construction. |
| Q: | Where can I get the materials? |
| A: | All of the standard materials that are needed can be purchased from your local hardware store or lumber yard. The harder-to-find materials are the cedar poles and palm fronds. Cedar poles can be bought at a local saw mill or ordered from us at www.tikikev.com , If you are in an area of the country that has palm trees you can call a local arborist and talk to them about what you need. Or you can purchase them from us at www.tikikev.com and we will ship them to you. |
| Q: |
I live in an area that gets very cold in the winter with snow and ice, will my bar hold up through this weather? |
| A: | Absolutely, 100% yes. If you follow my directions in building your bar and follow all maintenance suggestions, you will get several years of enjoyment out of your bar. For those of you in warmer climates, you can expect the same results. |
| Q: | I live in a windy area, will my leaves blow off? |
| A: |
Over time leaves can blow off. By installing netting over your leaves, you can prevent leaf loss. The netting is available at www.tikikev.com and will hold the leaves down so wind will not be able to blow them off. It’s almost invisible when installed over the leaves and if installed properly, this will add additional years to the life of the roof. |
| Q: | How long will the palm leaves on the roof last? |
| A: | Palm leaves will easily last 5-7 years. This time frame is really dependent upon the weather in your area. Wind plays a major factor in the life of the roof. If you follow my directions and maintenance suggestions by adding netting, you should get at least 7 years out of you roof. |
| Q: | Is the roof waterproof? |
| A: | Yes, your roof can be waterproof by following the directions. |
| Q: | What happens at the end of the life span of my roof? |
| A: |
Eventually (after many years) your roof will start leaking. If it is just a small leak here or there, you can easily patch the roof; but time does take its toll. If the time does come, you can just rip off the existing leaves and replace them with new leaves. You want to do all you can when constructing the roof to expand the life of the roof. |
| Q: | Can I cover my roof for the winter? |
| A: | Absolutely not. If you cover your roof for any amount of time, moisture will build up between the leaves and your tarp, causing the leaves to quickly rot and grow mold. Once the leaves begin to rot, they will fall apart relatively quick. However, you can cover your roof for a few days or so if you know a major storm is expected in your area. Doing this will actually help prolong the life of your roof. |
| Q: |
Can I cover my bar? |
| A: | Yes, you can cover your bar as long as you want to help protect it from the weather. If you cover it for long periods of time there is always the possibility of mold growth. If you find any mold on the bar, you can easily get rid of it with some bleach and water. |
| Q: | Can my bar blow over? |
| A: |
In most cases, no. This bar will be extremely heavy and very well balanced when completed. I have however seen a bar blow over with wind gusts over 70 miles per hour. In the Maintenance Section of the e-book, I talk about how to eliminate this problem. |
| Q: |
Can I store the bar away for the winter? |
| A: | If you have a big enough space that you can fit it into, absolutely. But if you follow my maintenance tips, it is not really necessary. With the weight of the bar in addition to the roof, it will be very difficult to move. And trying to take the roof off will require at least 4-6 strong people. |
| Q: |
How long will it take to build this bar? |
| A: | That all depends on your skill level and how much time you spend each day building it. Given 3 full days of work, I can complete the entire bar and roof by myself. The sealing process will take you as many days as coats you put on the bar. Example being that if you put 9 coats of marine varnish on your bar top, it will take 9 days to complete the sealing process. Each coat needs at least 24 hours to dry. |
| Q: | How heavy is the bar when completed? |
| A: | The leaves are fresh when first installed, so in the beginning it can weigh over 1500 lbs. After the leaves dry out, your bar will weigh around 1200 lbs. My suggestion would be to build your bar where ever you want, but before attaching the roof you want to place it in the spot it’s going to stay. Once the roof is attached and thatched it is very difficult to move. |
| Q: |
If I’m having trouble understanding the directions or just have a simple question, can I contact you? |
| A: | Yes, in the book I have an email address that you can send any un-urgent questions to, and also a 800 number to call if you have any questions while actually working on the bar. I personally will be answering all questions. Just ask for Tiki Kev |
| Q: | If I order materials from www.tikikev.com, how long will it take until I receive them? |
| A: |
We can usually ship within 2-3 business day of order receipt. The availability of the requested materials and your location determines the actual delivery time. |