How to identify the real African reed from imitations and the European reed

On several occasions we have talked about the characteristics and benefits of the African reed. For this reason, many clients come to us with the need to clearly identify said material.

The African reed is an exclusive and exotic product, resistant and strong in the face of the most extreme weather conditions. To give you an idea, under normal conditions of a moderately stable climate, it can last more than 50 years and be in perfect condition.

Characteristics and Differences:

The most visible and practical characteristic to identify the African junco from the European is its resistance. Try to bend an African reed rod and another European reed rod and you will clearly notice that the African reed offers greater resistance to being bent, while the European reed will bend almost effortlessly.

Many companies work with the African reed, but there are big differences between them.

While some buy the African reed in Spain (high costs and dubious conditions), others import it (they do not know the real origin of the reed and do not control the conditions prior to importation) and the most important ones are going to acquire it at its point of origin, monitoring all the essential aspects so that the African reed is always kept in the best conditions to work it and guarantee, thanks to certificates of quality and origin, the work that is carried out. In this last way, customers can be calm about the material used and the conditions in which it is installed in their African reed pergolas. In this sense, Grupo Romeral is the leader in Spain in the sale and installation of tropical wooden pergolas with African reeds.

But going back to the topic of how to identify the real African reed from possible imitations, we would like to give you a few tips that will open your eyes when it comes to investing your money and thus be able to avoid being given a pig in a poke.

When they are handing you the African reed or you are looking at the bunches that they try to make you believe are African reed (imitation), you will notice that each bunch will have a diameter of at least 20cm

The true African reed comes tied in bundles of about 8 to 10 cm in diameter, in 95% of cases.

The European African reed has a more yellow color, similar to that of straw, while the African reed is a much darker color (greenish brown).

One detail to keep in mind is that while the African reed is totally solid, the European or imitation rush has holes at its tips and inside. (This issue is very important for the pergola and its maintenance, as well as for the life of the entire structure. While the African reed  withstands the worst rain conditions, the European rush allows its filtration, eventually damaging the wood and with it the entire pergola, becoming totally useless in a few years. On the other hand, the African reed finishes are maintained over the years, while those of European reed stand out and lose consistency over time and it loses volume and the reed that was initially cooked, begins to fall and detach from its pergola.

At Grupo Romeral, we want you to always be informed so that you can make the right decisions.

An African reed pergola is one of the best investments you can make, but don’t let them fool you, because what could be an investment easily becomes a problem due to poor materials or faulty construction.

We hope we have given you a better insight on how to recognize the true African reed and remind you that we are here to provide you with solutions, not problems.