Thatch

Dear Visitor, 
The thatch shown on this page is for information only to our potential clients buying a prefab unit as to inform them about the possibilities to have a thatched roof installed on their unit. WE DO NOT SEPARATELY SELL OUR THATCH.

A. SYNTHETIC THATCH

Unlike the natural thatch product, synthetic thatch leaves offer a wide range of advantages. The eco-friendly and maintenance free synthetic palm leaves are made of thermo-molded high density polyethylene (HDPE), a low-flammable type of plastic material and are available in a fire-retardant option. This fire-retardant option is confirmed by the certification ASTM E108 and CSTB M1, which will lower your insurance cost. These roofing products provide exceptional storm-resistance and wind-resistance and is certified up to 260 km/h. (160 Mph). The product carries a 20-year written warranty, provided the roof pitch is not lower than 30 degrees and is both ISO 9001 and UV protection ASTM G-26 certified. No insects, no mildwew.  Life expectancy is 50 years. Though we do not sell our roof decking materials seperately we are willing to accept a synthetic thatch order with a minumum of 500 m2 (5,300 sqft). NOTE: Synthetic thatch is 5 x higher in price than natural thatch !!!!!

B. NATURAL THATCH

Thatch is made from bundles of Kunai grass, also called Blady grass or Cogon grass (biological name: Imperata Cylindrica) locally named "alang-alang" for the construction of thatched roofs. They come in panels.  Thatch requires a special approach for use in Hawaii and is typically not allowed in residential construction. Australia has very strict import rules and regulations (AQIS). We only use non-seeding alang-alang (minimum 6 months dried), while this old non-seeding grass is thoroughly fumigated with Ethylene Oxide and Methyl Bromide prior to shipment, strict regulations exist in almost all countries.

The grass is dried for at least 6 months and non-seeding, latched to Bangkirai hardwood or bamboo battens. The thatch panels made with Bangkirai battens are higher in price (Bangkirai will  last longer).   
After production each and every panel is visually checked by our supervisors and vigorously shaken to discard any lose grass, dust and/or insects. Damaged panels or panels with too low a grass covering will be rejected.  Prior to shipment the grass is treated with both Ethylene Oxide and Methyl Bromide as to kill any hiding insects. This special treatment will earn you the ETO Certificate without which you will not be able to import thatch into your country. Worse,....all thatch will be destroyed.

Thatched roofing is an ideal product for roofs of gazebos, bungalows, villas, etc. It does not only have an attractive look, but it also has the capability to insulate. Depending on the height of the roof, internal temperatures can be reduced by 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit).      
When laid by a professional thatcher, a thatched roof will not leak (normally the lowest roof pitch is some 40 degrees, preferably steeper, mesasured along the thatch surface, hence not measured along the supporting structure).
Maintenance is easy. In Indonesia thatched roofs are hardly maintained, provided the roof is kept free from debris (fallen leaves and bird nests removed). Due to the humid nature major maintenance is required only after some 7 to 8 years of installation. After some 10 to 11 years a complete overhaul may be necessary. In dryer countries life time will increase (there are records of some 15 to 20 years).

IMPORTANT NOTE ON NATURAL THATCH
It is not easy to engage a freighter/shipper who is willing to ship natural thatch, since it is considered a dangerous commodity.

Important information for our customers in both Hawaii and Australia
Thatch requires a special approach for use in Hawaii and is typically not allowed in residential construction. Australia has very strict import rules and regulations (AQIS). We only use non-seeding alang-alang (minimum 6 months dried), while this old non-seeding grass is thoroughly fumigated with Ethylene Oxide and Methyl Bromide prior to shipment, strict regulations exist  in almost all countries.

No mistake shall be made between a Phytosanitary Certificate and an ETO Certificate, as follows:

	A Phytosanitary Certificate is a certificate issued by the Indonesian Quarantine Office (a Governmental office) on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Certificate states that all plant products have been treated using the Indonesian Quarantine standard.
	A Fumigation Certificate (Ethylene Oxide & Methyl Bromide gas) is issued by a fumigation company who has been accredited by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Services (AQIS) & the Indonesian Quarantine Office. Both the ETO & Methyl Bromide gas Certificate will be issued separately.
	ETO fumigation is mandatory by AQIS for several items such as: bamboo, banana leaf, waterhyacinth, seagrass, thatch