Thatched roofs are a traditional and treasured roofing method in the UK. Made from natural materials like straw, reed, rushes, and palm branches, they are flexible, stylish, and expensive. This article explores what thatched roofs are, how they are made, the materials used, and why they are considered quintessentially English. Credit: Country Life A thatched roof is a roof that is made from dry vegetation such as straw, reeds, rushes, or palm branches layered and fastened together to create a waterproof covering. Thatched roofs are associated with pastoral, rural settings and are valued for their aesthetic appeal. They require specialised skills to install and maintain properly over their 30-50-year lifespan. While thatched roofs require greater upkeep, their rustic beauty and sustainability make them a treasured feature. Their natural insulation properties and pastoral aesthetic explain their enduring popularity in the English countryside despite modern alternatives. We believe well-maintained thatched roofs can last for generations. A thatched roof is a roof that is made from natural vegetation such as straw, water reed, rushes, sedges, and palm branches. Thatched roofs have been used in the UK since at least the Bronze Age. They are considered a rare and treasured roofing style, often associated with a romanticised rural idyll. The three main materials used for thatching today are water reed, combed wheat reed, and straw. Water reed, also known as Norfolk Reed, has historically been used across European countries. Combed wheat reed is softer and made from twisting together the fibres of the wheat plant. Straw is made from natural fibres like rye, wheat, barley and oats. Thatched roofs are constructed using the standard method of layering courses of thatch, with each course overlapping the previous one. The thatch is held in place by fixings like wires, pegs, and nails. When properly installed, the natural reed and grass form a waterproof roof. Thatched roofs can be designed with cool patterns and shaped to fit any roof size or shape. Thatched roofs are considered stylish, expensive, and quintessentially English. The materials are locally available and sustainable. While thatched roofs require more maintenance than modern roofing, they remain popular for their aesthetic beauty and historic charm. Credit: Village & Cottage Thatched roofs have a long and rich history in the UK. Archaeological evidence shows they were used as early as the Bronze Age, over 4000 years ago. During the Roman occupation, thatch was a common roofing material for houses and farms across Britain. In the Middle Ages, towns began to pass legislation banning flammable thatch in favour of clay tiles. However, in rural areas, thatch remained popular as it was cheap and readily available. Even the houses of some wealthy medieval manor estates used thatch. Thatched roofs reached the height of popularity in the Elizabethan era. Rich patterns and ornate chimneys adorned many Tudor houses. Thatched roofs symbolised rural prosperity and were seen as picturesque. However, the Great Fire of London in 1666 led to bans on flammable thatch in cities. In the 18th-19th century, thatch began to decline as slate, tile and metal became affordable. Thatched houses came to be associated with poverty and the rural poor. But in the 20th century, their charm was rediscovered and thatch became valued as a heritage craft. Today, thatched roofs are protected by law. There are around 60,000 thatched properties in the UK, many of which are listed buildings. Although no longer common, thatch remains an iconic roofing style, symbolic of British country life. The most common material used for thatching in the UK is long straw, usually wheat or rye. The straw needs to be harvested when slightly unripe to retain rigidity and water resistance. Good quality thatching straw has long, straight stems and few seed heads. In areas like East Anglia, water reed was also historically used for thatching. Water reed provides excellent durability but is less readily available than straw. Today it is mainly used for repairs and ridge details. Other materials sometimes used include combed wheat reed, heather, wood shingles and turf. Regional variations in materials arose based on local availability. Heather and turf were used in Scotland, combed wheat reed in Devon, and shingles in southeast England. All quality thatching material requires careful preparation. Straw and reed must be bundled, stored and often soaked or steamed to make it pliable before use. Experienced thatchers select the best materials and prepare them meticulously before applying them to the roof. The materials used influence the patterns, shapes and details seen in different regional thatching styles. But regardless of the material, a good thatch requires skilled craftsmanship to create a beautiful, durable and weatherproof roof. Constructing a thatched roof begins with the roof structure. A thatched roof has a very steep pitch, a minimum of 50 degrees, to allow water to run off. The roof frame must be strong enough to take the weight of the thatch, which can be up to 100 kg per square metre. On top of the rafters, horizontal laths are attached to form a matrix to hold the thatch in place. The type of laths used depends on the regional style; typically they are either of riven hazel or sawn softwood. Before adding the thatch, a breathable underlayer is installed to prevent birds and vermin from getting in. Then the base coat of thatch is applied, working from eaves to ridge. The thatcher adds bundles of thatch in overlapping rows, securing with hazel spars, and trimming to shape with a Leggett (specialized knife). Two or more layers are added to achieve the minimum finished depth of 15-30cm. The final layer is the ridge, which may be decorated for aesthetic effect. Some regional styles feature intricate ridge details, ornamental shapes and straw figurines. A new thatch needs time to settle and weather. The green straw will gradually bleach to a silver-grey hue, blending into the landscape. With proper maintenance, a thatched roof can last 30-50 years. Thatching requires considerable skill and experience. But a well-made thatched roof is a thing of beauty, providing natural warmth and a distinctive architectural form. Thatched roofs offer unique benefits but also have some drawbacks to consider. On the plus side, thatch provides excellent insulation, keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer. It is a natural material that blends well into rural settings. Thatched roofs are picturesque and have undeniable kerb appeal. Thatch is also remarkably durable when properly maintained. The thick layer of vegetation protects the roof structure from weathering. Rain, snow and hail do not penetrate a sound thatch. However, thatch has some disadvantages too. It is relatively expensive, due to the specialised labour required. Thatching is a dying craft, with few skilled thatchers remaining. Thatch is also flammable and requires fire-proofing treatments. It can harbour pests like mice or insects, necessitating fumigation. Due to the steep pitch required, thatched cottages often have low ceilings. Home insurance premiums are usually higher for thatched properties. Obtaining planning permission can be problematic in some areas. Overall, thatched roofs have pros and cons. They suit heritage properties in rural settings but are less common in urban areas. While beautiful, they do require more upkeep than other roofing types. A thatched roof, when properly maintained, can last between 30-50 years. Regular maintenance like re-ridging and patching is required to extend the life of a thatched roof. The point of a thatched roof is its natural aesthetic appeal and insulation properties. Thatch provides excellent protection from rain, wind, and weather compared to other traditional roofing materials. It is also breathable and regulates interior temperature and humidity. The main disadvantages of a thatched roof are the high cost of installation and maintenance. Thatched roofs require specialised skills to install and maintain properly. They are also more prone to fire hazards, can be damaged by birds and rodents, and may not hold up to extreme weather as well as some modern roofing materials. Thatched roofs do not rot when installed correctly because the materials are dried thoroughly before installation. The thick layering allows rain and moisture to run off the exterior while the inside stays dry. Regular maintenance like re-ridging also prevents moisture damage and rot over time. A thatched roof is a traditional roofing style that uses natural materials like straw, reeds, rushes or palm branches. Thatched roofs provide excellent protection, insulation and a rustic, romantic aesthetic. However, they are more expensive than modern roofing and require specialised skills for installation and maintenance. Overall, thatching is an artisanal roofing method that creates a unique, treasured feature for cottages, homes and other buildings.
What Is a Thatched Roof?
Key Points
Our Opinion
What Is a Thatched Roof?
History of Thatched Roofs
Materials Used for Thatching
How Are Thatched Roofs Made?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Thatched Roofs
FAQ
How long will a thatch roof last?
What is the point of a thatched roof?
What is the disadvantage of a thatched roof?
How do thatched roofs not rot?
Conclusion
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