Tuesday 24 March 2015

Homemade Tiki Bars

Thatching is traditionally used to cover the roof on a tiki bar.


A tiki bar is traditionally constructed of bamboo and the roofs are made of thatching but some modern tiki bars are constructed of more durable materials. Tiki bars are relatively expensive items, but if they are placed in a well-landscaped yard they can increase the value of your home. Tiki bars can also be used indoors to lend a tropical flair to a basement or den used for entertaining guests. A homemade tiki bar can be built using inexpensive materials in just a couple of hours. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Use a circular saw to cut a 4-by-12-foot sheet of particle board into two pieces measuring 60 by 24 inches. These pieces are the countertop and roof. Sand the edges with 150-grit sandpaper.


2. Cut a 12-foot-long 2-by-4-inch board into six pieces measuring 3 1/2-foot in length. Cut a 10-foot-long 2 by 4-inch board into two pieces measuring 2-foot in length. Cut one end of each 2-foot long-section at a 60-degree angle. Cut a 60-degree angle on one end of two of the 3 1/2-foot long boards. Sand the boards with 150-grit sandpaper.


3. Attach a 3 1/2-foot long piece to a corner of the particle board countertop with a hammer and a nail. Drive the nail through the top of the particle board and into the section of 2-by-4-inch lumber. Repeat to attach a 3 1/2 foot long piece of lumber to each corner of the board. These are the legs of the bar.


4. Place the flat end of a 3 1/2 foot section of lumber on a rear corner of the top of the countertop. Secure it by driving a nail at an angle through the countertop and into the leg. Repeat to add a second section on the other back corner of the countertop. Attach a 2-foot-long section to both of the front corners in a similar manner. These are the roof supports.


5. Position the particle board roof over the roof supports. The back of the roof should be flush with the edge of the back roof supports so there is an overhang in the front.


6. Paint the bar brown with a paint brush and allow it to dry.


7. Attach thatch panels or grass skirting to the top of the roof with a staple gun. The thatching or skirting should hang over the front of the roof.


8. Attach a 3 1/2-by-9-foot bamboo mat to the bottom of the bar. Place the edge of the mat flush with the top of the countertop and staple every couple of inches to secure it. Staple a 2-by-5 foot bamboo mat to the top of the countertop and use a utility knife to trim the excess.


9. Wrap hemp rope around the roof supports and secure with staples. Place rope around the edges of the countertop and secure with staples.

Tags: board into, particle board, roof supports, board into pieces, into pieces