Tiki Bar Building – Things to Consider

You have made the decision to build a tiki bar, but there are a few things to consider. When I first decided to build my own tiki bar, I didn’t know where to start. I have listed a few items that you may want to take note of.

• Instructions on how to build a tiki bar: Probably the most important item to consider is a good set of blueprints or drawings. Having instructions to follow can save you many hours of time and also waste material. A good set of plans should be easy to follow and allow for whatever changes you want to your own bar, such as; electrical, storage space and overall size. Pictures and illustrations are also an advantage when building your tiki bar.

• Selection of materials: the first step when building your tiki bar will be to buy your wood. Remember not to skimp here, because the type of wood you buy will determine how many years it will last. Make sure all your exterior wood is rated for outdoor use. If you need help selecting the wooden posts that will support the roof structure, check out some commercial outdoor tiki bars to see what type of material they used.

• Location of your tiki bar: My recommendation is to place your bar on a flat surface like concrete or if you are thinking of mounting it on the ground, you should anchor it securely so that the wind does not relocate it for you. ! If you are riding near your pool, you can use concrete anchors to secure it. One nice effect I’ve seen is placing sand around your tiki bar to give it an even more island vibe. Plan for this along with your utilities that will be contained in your bar, such as electricity for plugs and water for a sink, if you plan to have one. Also, observe local building codes, especially around swimming pools.

• Keeping Your Project Finished – This tip I’m giving you here may not only save you money but will add many years to the life of your outdoor paradise. If you live in a seasonal climate with cold winters and hot summers, you will find two of nature’s most damaging elements; sun and winter weather. Having owned a tiki bar for many years, I have discovered how the weather affects the surface of the bar. I used oak plywood for the top of my bar trying to cut costs, but should have used sun and water rated marine grade plywood. You will find it very difficult to maintain the top of your bar unless you follow the steps using the finest marine grade varnish with several coats to protect the surface. With my tiki bar, I got frustrated trying to keep the wood surface so I used waterproof grout glass tile, two years so far and it looks just as good as day one.

I hope these tips help you make the right decisions the first time so you can save money while enjoying your very own backyard tiki bar, a true paradise at home. Above all, get a good set of plans like the ones available on my website.