Bamboo Tiki Torches Turn a Deck into an Island Getaway

About two months after our deck was built, we added Tiki Torches around the perimeter, placing them about one every ten feet.  Instantly, our new deck felt more like an Island Getaway than our suburban back yard (don’t you agree?).  Add string lights from Target, some Jimmy Buffet music on the iPod, a few Carribean-jerk kabobs to the grill, and the deck easily passes for the Tamarijn Resort we visited last Summer.   Many of our neighbors have commented just how “Carribean” it looks when it’s lit up at night.

Simple Tiki Torches made of Bamboo are our choice for the most authentic look.  The one pictured below on the right is from a photo taken on our deck.  You can also find torches in every shape and variety, including exotic woods, silver, bronze, and brass.  Metal varieties can last for years.  Bamboo versions will hold up well for about two when cared for properly. 

Torches not only add to a relaxing getaway environment, they also help prevent annoying bugs (mosquitos are very common in our area).  We burn citronella torch fuel in each Tiki that can be found just about everywhere Tikis are sold.

How Much do Tiki Torches Cost?

Now (August) is a great time to pick up bamboo Tikis at your local home improvement store, grocery store, or outdoors store.  The end of the Summer yields significant discounts from the already low price of about $4.00 each for Bamboo models.  Metal torches can range from $6-$20 each depending on quality of workmanship, expected lifetime, etc.

How to Attach Tiki Torches to a Deck

Attaching torches to a deck is relatively simple, particularly if your deck railing posts were fastened inside the rim joist.  Simply sit the Tiki on the outside of the railing in front of a post and zip tie the Tiki in at least two spots.  We chose black zip ties at the top and bottom of the posts.  (Note that we had to use two zip ties connected together to have sufficient reach).  We were originally concerned that the black ties would stick out like a sore thumb.  Turns out that we never even notice them.

If you’re deck railing posts are outside of the rim joist, you can buy a metal bracket that will screw into the post and hold the base of the Tiki, and a second metal tie that will sit across the Tiki’s shaft and screw into the top part of the rail.  There are a few alternatives online as well, including this Tiki Torch bracket.  Whatever solution you choose, ensure the torch is properly secured to the deck.  A torch that falls away could burst and start a house fire.

Tiki Torch Safety Tips

Note that we’re no experts on Tiki Torch safety.  You should always use good judgment when dealing with flame.  Here’s a few suggestions:

• Read and follow all of the manufacturers’ instructions.
• Never leave torches unattended, even for a few minutes.  Last year, a gust of wind blew the flame of one of our torches around to the bamboo base.  Apparently, some oil had leaked on the base and in a matter of minutes, the torch was engulfed.  We quickly put it out with a fire extinguisher.  It could have been a disaster.
• Clean the exterior of the torches with soap and water to ensure no flammable residue builds up.
• At the end of the season, empty the torches, rinse out the plastic inserts, and store everything in a cool, dry place.
• Ensure torches are burned away from trees, brush, etc.  Dry leaves can ignite and engulf a deck in minutes, as evidenced by this house in our neighborhood.

What do you think?  Have you added torches to your deck or outdoor space?  Leave a comment, or better yet, publish your own blog post with pictures and let us know here!

by: Fred | August 28, 2008 | filed in: Fixtures & Furnishings
Related Tags: deck, decorating, railing, tiki, torch

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