Over the past few weeks, the team have been working on our gazebo. Previously, they had built the U-shape seat and the columns, now it was time for the roof. We went out and bought some of the supplies we needed, like the large planks of wood that will make up the 4 sides of the roof, as well as the polycarbonate plastic that will keep the water out.
However, looking up from inside the gazebo, the view of plastic wouldn’t be particularly appealing. So I wanted to line the underside of the plastic with something. I toyed with a few different concepts – Fabric? Bamboo? But eventually I decided on an old favourite – galam wood. Next it was time to buy some galam. Like many things here in Bali , the price varies radically, depending on who you ask. Using some contacts we found a supplier about 20 minutes away who gave us a good price as we needed over 100 sticks of wood.
Next, we needed to install the galam. First, the team sanded it down and gave it a coat of waterproof clear varnish. Even though it’ll be under the plastic, there’s no doubt that in the middle of the rainy soon, the wind and rain will bring in some water.
Then it was time to install the polycarbonate so that the gazebo will remain dry. My balcony looks down on this polycarbonate, so I’m thinking that later on I’ll try to get some bougainvillea to grow on top.
With the roof done, it was time to finish up the seat. We’d already used white cement a few times in our home. And we have a white concrete seat in our courtyard that we really like, so I wanted to continue with that design. Hendra, our concreter-extraordinaire, got stuck into lining the seat with white cement.
So, we’re nearly there. Pak Slamet, our jack of all trades, has added lights and power points. We still need to add a fan, but there’s a more urgent issue that we need to solve asap…..the roof.
We thought we easily had enough time to finish the gazebo, and then focus on the roof (where we need to take up a bunch of tiles in several places and lay plastic underneath). The rainy season shouldn’t start for another few months, but it seems that nobody told Mother Nature and it has been raining on and off for a few weeks. A bit of rain is usually no big deal. However, it’s not a good time to be taking tiles off the roof!
The gazebo is basically done so rather than finish it off completely, we’ve quickly adjusted our schedule and have begun to focus on the roof. Fingers crossed the rain holds off!
Sheila
10 Comments
Love the Galam Wood. It is exactly what I would love to use my terrace. We already have the polycarbonate up and have been trying to find some wood like that. Do you know if I can import to Australia please. I have a shipping contact.
Love following your home journey and wish I could do it all over again myself.
Kind Regards
Thanks Kerry, I’ve emailed you a contact.
great work love the look would like to purchase some gamma
rmkercher64@gmail.com
Robert Kercher and I mean purchase a container
Thanks Robert, I’ve emailed you a contact.
Hello, all that you’re doing is so beautiful! Can you tell me what finish you put over your concrete bench seating area? Is it painted stucco? Thank you!
Hi Melissa, I spoke with the amazing handyman Pak SLamet, who made the gazebo. He said he used white cement (made from cement mixed with calcium chalk). After it was dry, he used a mixture of wax and petrol (ha!) to rub into the concrete.
Very clean and professional build there, do you mind sharing your supplier for wooden poles? I’ve been looking for an Indonesian supplier for awhile now.
Hi Darryl, it has turned out great! Sheila found a little place that sells wood on Jl Raya Tangeb in Mengwi. She doesn’t remember the name so you’ll have to drive along it to find it. On the north side of the road (on the left if you’re headed from Canggu to Ubud). You’ll see the wood out front, but do check out the back section so you can see how to they prepare the wood. The owner was willing to negotiate if you buy in bulk. Good luck!
Do you know if galam wood can be shipped to US (florida) I love the look
Hi Karen, I’m not 100% sure as it will depend on the import requirements of the US, but as far as I know, it can be shipped as long as it is treated in advance. I’d suggest contacting shipping companies as they will have the most current information. Good luck!