The original Bora Bora and Domingo leaves were developed as a synthetic counterpart to the natural wide tips pandanus leaves of French Polynesia, the cradle of the 1^st Palmex international agency.

Expanding to other countries around the world, Palmex was prompted to develop new leaf designs to match more closely the natural native roofing solutions of somes regions. The Bora Bora and the Domingo evolved into Aloha and Rio with a much finer cut of the tips than the pandanus leaf to imitate the coconut style of Central America, the material almost exclusively used in Costa Rica. Other leaves like the Aforika, Samana, Fiji, etc. were also developed targeting specific regions and demands.

While the Bora Bora/Aloha models have their heads inserted into a PVC rail and installed in such a manner as to expose their undersides, the Domingo/Rio models had a loose head that could be installed over just about any supporting surfaces with a suitable fastening system not meant to be seen from below.

A few years ago, to simplify inventories among others, the two pairs were merged into two single leaves called Dombora and Rioha respectively.

Because of the indisputable and compelling pertinence of the Rioha leaves in Costa Rica, we will explain hereafter the various characteristics and applications for this model.

Rioha leaves in a traditional installation have been especially designed to be laid directly over roofing rafters with a patented PVC rail system.

This model offers 5 distinct technical advantages:

1. full and effective exterior coverage in any weather
2. exposed undersides providing a more traditional aesthetic to ceiling that proves popular in many countries
3. no spending on other material apart from the rafters of the structure
4. cooler tempeature below with a drop ranging from 4º to 6º
5. no maintenance

• A fire-retardant version of this product is also available (long range demand).
• Suitable for inclinations of no less than 30º (58%) and a maximum spacing of 0,50m between rafters. Sold only with installation.

Rioha leaves in a “roof covering mode” have been designed to be laid over an existing roof surface such as wooden panels, shingles, metal sheeting, or any other finished paneling and wooden slats without the patented rail system. Although not intented to be seen from below, the Rioha is frequently installed without an existing roof if the inclinations meet the requirements.

Versatile and easy-to-lay, this product is the ideal aesthetically-pleasing solution for any roofing renovation projects and can be sold without installation.

• A fire-retardant version of this product is also available (long range demand)
• Not to be installed below 13º (25%)
• Waterproof above 21º/24º (38%/45%) on gable/hip roofs. Maximum rafter spacing of 1,00m if not installed over a roof covering.