We export ready made panels or bundles of Kunai grass
(biological name: Imperata Cylindrica) locally named "alang-alang" for the construction of thatched
roofs.
We export two types of Kunai grass. A quality that grows
on the island of Lombok and a quality that grows in Bali.
The indigenous grass that comes from Lombok has small but rigid leaf
blades. Bali grass is rougher and wider. An example is shown below. The
standard length of a panel is 2.80 meter. Width varies between 0.8 and 1.20
meter. For export in containers we advise to order a reduced length of
2.20 meter to fit and store as many panels as possible.
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| Bali grass (6 months dried) |
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Lombok grass (fresh cut) |
The grass is dried for at least 6 months and non-seeding,
latched to bamboo battens.
After production each an 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 Ethylene Oxide or Ethylene Bromide as to kill any
hiding insect.
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| Grass in bundles |
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Example of thatched roof (inside) |
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Panels can either be woven with white thread or
black thread. |
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 isolate. Depending on the height of the
roof, internal temperatures can be reduced from 10°
Celsius (50° Fahrenheit) to 15° Celsius (60° Fahrenheit).
When laid by a professional thatcher, a thatched roof
will not leak (normally the roof pitch is some 35 degrees or more).
Maintenance is easy. In Indonesia thatched roofs are
hardly maintained, provided the roof is kept free from debris (falling
leaves, etc.). Due to the humid nature in average major maintenance is
required after some 10 years of installation. After some 15 years a complete
overhaul may be necessary. In dryer countries life time will increase (there
are records of some 20 years).
Important information for our
customers in both Hawaii and Australia
Hawaii does do not allow fresh alang-alang (new seeding alang-alang grass) enter the
country. 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 or
bromide prior
to shipment, a strict requirement in Australia. We can help and assist you
with the import permits.
Send us an e-mail for
the latest prices. bwtc@cbn.net.id
(copy and paste this address into your e-mail browser)
