Materials
We choose to work with environmentally friendly materials. They are as much as possible locally sourced.
Bamboo
Bamboo is an endemic natural resource to our area of northern Thailand. It grows in abundance in the countryside, managed woods & forests. Not all bamboo can be used for making parasols, and in quality production, the poles and the frame use different types of bamboo.
Bamboo is very strong and quite flexible, while difficult to bend. Once bamboo is present or planted, it grows fast to achieve height, and multiplies through ground roots. Bamboo can stand on its own, often in extended patches, or grow among forest trees. It can be harvested for about 10 months of the year, the other two months are important for new bamboo shoots to spring, usually right next to the larger poles. When harvesting bamboo, the surrounding trees are left in peace and are not affected by harvesting some of the bamboo.
Using bamboo as a substitute for wood or other man-made materials, is an environmentally friendly way of making parasols and umbrellas. Bamboo's characteristics in growth, strength and workability are quite perfect for this purpose.
Cotton
Cotton is endemic to Thailand and our area of northern Thailand. We source our cotton from local distributors. The market for cotton in Thailand now generally includes imports from China and Viet Nam, so depending on the type of cotton we use, its origin is either clearly local, or for certain types either local, or from one or our ASEAN neighbours. Globalisation!
Wood
While we strive to avoid the use of wood as a matter of principle, some smaller parts, such as ferrule and runner must be made of wood. We do not need to use hardwood parts for our bamboo parasols. We mainly use a harder softwood originating from the Santol tree (local: Kra-Ton tree), which grows quite abundantly in the local countryside on private agricultural and household land. We only use such wood for our parasols.
Saa Paper
"Ton Saa" is Thai for the Mulberry tree. This is also an abundant agricultural tree in northern Thailand. It is related to silk production, as the silk worms prefer this type of tree. To make Saa paper, often only the bark is used, which grows back. For smaller trees and shrubs, the entire tree can be used. As the tree grows fast, and is planted and replanted, its use is also relatively environment friendly. Certainly much better than forest or large trees.
Saa paper is made by hand by artisans of our neighbouring village. It is made in many thicknesses, textures, colors design patterns. It therefore allows for a myriad of parasol cover variations.
Rayon
Rayon is an affordable substitute for silk. In fact, it is sometimes mistaken or misnomered as silk. While it is a man-made material, it also makes for quite a nice cover material for parasols. While it looks attractive, gives shade and is a bit lower cost, its UV protection is limited.