FAQ

BAMBOO RAFTS

Bamboo is a fast-growing plant, which can grow up to 1m overnight. This rapid growth comes with growing pains in the form of black spots or marks on the inside and white blotches on the outer skins. The older and larger the bamboo poles, the more marks it accumulates. These are naturally occurring and likened to age spots or wrinkles on humans!.

Each and every pole of bamboo used is scrubbed with an anti-fungal (mould) and insecticide before it is used in construction.
Below are some images of black bamboo in its natural state. Not dirty or mouldy, just as nature- made.

Poles used in the rafts vary in diameter from 30-90mm. In general, the yellow bamboo poles are smaller than the black ones.

The black ones range from 60mm diameter to 90mm diameter. The yellow poles range from 30mm-65mm. But as no bamboo poles are rejected, these measurements are a guideline only.

No. As bamboo poles come from nature, no 2 are the same and none are rejected. All our rafts are made using a variety of diameters for each pole.
Yes. Any bamboo imported from overseas undergoes strict fumigation with an Australian-approved AQIS facility either in the county of manufacture or at destination.

All rafts are soaked for half a day in a combination of boric acid and borax. This is done to kill insects and combat mould.

Boric acid is a white or clear-coloured, odourless compound. It is a mild acid which is relatively non-toxic to humans and non-carcinogenic. It has a wide variety of uses in and around the home. It also is used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, in pest control and in manufacturing.

Borax, also called “sodium tetraborate”, is a powdery white mineral that has been used as a cleaning product for several decades. It has many uses: it helps get rid of stains, mould, mildew and insects.

Bamboo is cut to required size at harvest location and transported to our factory. The bamboo is then washed, cleaned and dried out in the sun.

The poles then have the inner husk and nodules removed and sharp edges are cut away. Then they are soaked in a solution of boric acid & borax. Poles are dried out again.

Then the treated poles are taken to the construction area. Finished pieces are quality-checked and the final fences are sprayed with a water-based acrylic protectant.

Water-based acrylic.

Mount screens on solid frame using appropriate hardware.

Do not position screens directly on wet surfaces or soil, or water absorption will occur and increase the rate of rot. Use our bamboo capping on top to reduce the amount of water entering your screen from the top and therefore reducing the rate of rot.

Coat your raft every 6-12 months with clear lacquer or polyurethane to maintain colour and increase longevity.
No guarantee is expressed or implied as to the exact longevity of each screen as installation method varies.
Yes, you can however we would recommend that you wash your screen thoroughly with soapy water and dry it out in the sun before bringing it indoors.

BAMBOO STAKES/POLES

Yes. Any bamboo imported from overseas undergoes strict fumigation with an Australian-approved AQIS facility either in the county of manufacture or at destination.

All poles are soaked for 5 days in a combination of boric acid and borax. This is done to kill insects and combat mould.

Boric acid is a white or clear-coloured, odourless compound. It is a mild acid which is relatively non-toxic to humans and non-carcinogenic. It has a wide variety of uses in and around the home. It also is used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, in pest control and in manufacturing.

Borax, also called “sodium tetraborate”, is a powdery white mineral that has been used as a cleaning product for several decades. It has many uses: it helps get rid of stains, mould, mildew and insects.

No. We have set templates and “knives” to match the 2 sizes in the question above.

Please send an email to sales@latticemakers.com with your request.

This should include:
  1. Style of covers
  2. Quantity
  3. Fabric choice
  4. Postage address
  5. Phone number to call for payment prior to posting

Please include all your contact details.

Bamboo is cut to required size at harvest location and transported to our factory. The bamboo poles are then washed, cleaned and dried out in the sun.Then they are soaked in a solution of boric acid & borax for 5 days. Poles are then dried out again before palletising and loading into the container.

BAMBOO SCREENING

They are threaded together with galvanised iron wire.
It ranges from 1.5cm – 3.0cm in diameter. But no bamboo is thrown away so these sizes are approximate.

Due to over-harvesting, naturally black-coloured thin bamboo has become very difficult to find.

These days, dark yellow/light brown thin bamboo is steamed or smoked which we describe as “carbonised”. This gives the bamboo a darker colour.

TREATED PINE RANGE

35mm wide x 7mm high approximately for our standard lattice.

35mm x 12mm approximately for our DAR (dressed all round) lattice.

No. We have set templates and “knives” to match the 2 sizes in the question above.
All our lattice is treated with CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenate).
Copper chrome arsenate (CCA) treated timber is wood that has been treated with a preservative containing copper, chromium and arsenic. CCA treatment prolongs the life of the wood. This is why, in the past, CCA treated timber was commonly used in decking, playground equipment, fences, retaining walls, jetties and vineyards.

The main concern with CCA-treated timber is that it contains arsenic, which can be ingested (swallowed) or inhaled (when CCA-treated timber is burnt). Over time, small amounts of chemicals may leach from CCA-treated timber, but research has found that the amount of leached arsenic is less than that found in common foods.

Since the general population is exposed to naturally occurring arsenic in soil, water and food, the human body can tolerate small amounts of arsenic.

CCA-treated timber should not be used to build children’s play equipment, patios, domestic decking, handrails, new garden furniture, exterior seating or picnic tables.

CCA-treated timber can be used for poles, fencing, landscaping timbers, piling and other structure foundations, residential construction, industrial and commercial construction, rural and farm use, fresh and salt water structures, signage and boat construction.

Existing structures made from CCA-treated timbers do not need to be removed and replaced until they reach the end of their functional life.

70mm wide x 35mm high.

HELLO SPROUT GARDEN STAKES

Our Hello Sprout hardwood stakes are sourced from FSC timber. They are mixed hardwood.For more information about FSC, please visit https://www.fsc.org/en
No. Hardwood does not need to be treated. It is naturally insect-resistant.

ROLAPAK RANGE

Our Rolapak range is treated with CCA- Copper chrome arsenate. CCA treatment prolongs the life of the wood. This is why, in the past, CCA treated timber was commonly used in decking, playground equipment, fences, retaining walls, jetties and vineyards.

The main concern with CCA-treated timber is that it contains arsenic, which can be ingested (swallowed) or inhaled (when CCA-treated timber is burnt). Over time, small amounts of chemicals may leach from CCA-treated timber, but research has found that the amount of leached arsenic is less than that found in common foods.

Since the general population is exposed to naturally occurring arsenic in soil, water and food, the human body can tolerate small amounts of arsenic.

CCA-treated timber should not be used to build children’s play equipment, patios, domestic decking, handrails, new garden furniture, exterior seating or picnic tables.

CCA-treated timber can be used for poles, fencing, landscaping timbers, piling and other structure foundations, residential construction, industrial and commercial construction, rural and farm use, fresh and salt water structures, signage and boat construction.

Existing structures made from CCA-treated timbers do not need to be removed and replaced until they reach the end of their functional life.

HARDWOOD TIMBER SCREENS

All our timber screens are made from FSC hardwood timber.

For more information about FSC, please visit https://www.fsc.org/en

Mount screens on solid frame using appropriate hardware. Do not position screens directly on wet surfaces or soil, or water absorption will occur and increase the rate of rot.
No guarantee is expressed or implied as to the exact longevity of each screen as installation method varies.
10-12mm approximately

LASER CUT BAMBOO RANGE

Natural, organic bamboo is harvested and processed by pulverising the poles. This pulp is then washed and treated against insects and rots. Once washed it is dried out and shaped into a sheet with special adhesive. This adhesive contains an anti-moulding agent.

Each sheet is then “baked” at a high temperature. Out unique designs are then laser-cut into the bamboo sheet with precision accuracy.

Our laser cut range have been tested in Australia by ExcelPlas and undergone accelerated weather testing of up to 12 months in average Australian weather conditions.

To increase the longevity of this range, you should seal it at least every 12 months.

With sandpaper lightly sand in the direction of the grain till your screen is dull. Wipe surface of dust and apply clear polyurethane coating to surface and edges. Allow to dry and repeat at least 2 times.

10-12mm approximately

SOU-WESTER CHAIR COVERS

In the Sou Wester Chair Covers section, scroll down to “Fabrics”. These are the colours we have available.

No. The only colours and fabrics available are those shown on our website.

The images shown are of stock we no longer have. These chairs are shown merely to show chair cover styles.

All our orders are made to measure. We do not have ready-made stock. It usually takes 1-2 weeks plus postage.

During peak season (i.e. Summer and just before Xmas), production time increases to 3-4 weeks plus postage time.

Yes. So long as you pre-arrange it with us. We do not have stock ready-made for immediate purchase.
Maybe. Please check all your measurements against ours which are online. Not all director chair covers are the same size.
Yes, we can. We request that you post your covers to us and we will trace around your existing covers.

Please send an email to sales@latticemakers.com with your request.

This should include:
  1. Style of covers
  2. Quantity
  3. Fabric choice
  4. Postage address
  5. Phone number to call for payment prior to posting

Please include all your contact details.

We do not accept Returns or Refunds for “change of mind”. We will only process a refund if your covers are faulty.