how are english thatched roofs made

The type of thatching used in English cottages varies depending on the region. Southern England cottages in Hampshire, Dorset

, and Devon use a heavy layer of wheat straw to create the roof. Roofs in Somerset and in some parts of Devon use wheat reed to create a cleaner line.

Full Answer

Are thatched roofs expensive to replace?

Just like any construction project, thatched roofs have two costs: materials and labour. Both are influenced by the size and complexity of the project. Also, replacing an existing thatched roof will cost less than having a brand new one installed in place of a tiled or slated roof.

How do they make thatched roofs?

How are English thatched roofs made? Thatching is the craft of building a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, sedge (Cladium mariscus), rushes, heather, or palm branches, layering the vegetation so as to shed water away from the inner roof. It is a very old roofing method and has been used in both tropical and temperate climates.

What roof to buy?

When considering how to buy a new roof, the first thing to figure out is what kind of new roof you need. There are many different types of roofing, suitable for all different budgets and climates. For example, if you live in a hot climate, getting a cool roof is a good choice.

How to thatch a roof?

action of tapping the butt ends of thatch or thatching reed upwards with a leggatt to produce the correct surface slope Lath small round timber member, fixed parallel to the line of the ridge, at right angles to the rafters, and onto which thatch is fixed Overlay over thatch second layer of thatch over original layer Spray layer

How long do thatched roofs last in England?

between 15 and 40 yearsContrary to popular opinion, a thatched roof lifespan may be as long as that of a standard roof. According to Heart of England Thatchers, they can last between 15 and 40 years if properly maintained. The ridge may need to be replaced more frequently; between 10 and 15 years.

What is an English thatched roof made out of?

A 2013 report estimated that there were 60,000 properties in the UK with a thatched roof; they are usually made of long straw, combed wheat reed or water reed. Gradually, thatch became a mark of poverty, and the number of thatched properties gradually declined, as did the number of professional thatchers.

How does a thatch roof stay dry?

Materials used in thatching such as water reed are naturally waterproof. The inside of water reed is hollow, water is kept out by tight overlapping cells on the plants outer layers. When enough of these plants are bundled together, the water simply cannot penetrate the material and will simply run away.

How much does a thatched roof cost in England?

On average, you can expect to pay around £15,000 for a new thatched roof, with costs going as high as £30,000. You're usually looking to pay around the same for a new roof as you would replacing a roof. Thatched roofs are not priced by square metre.

Do thatched roofs attract vermin?

Thatch roofs attract all sorts of animals all year round; they would also like to make these atmospheric spaces their home. Common thatch pests may include birds, rats, insects and squirrels.

Why do thatched roofs have animals on top?

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the dogs, cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof.

What are the problems with thatched roofs?

Leaking. Perhaps the most common and obvious problem with thatched roofing is the potential for leaks. These can come from all areas of the roof, including the ridge, valleys and corners.

What are the disadvantages of having a thatched roof?

DisadvantagesExpense. Installing a thatched roof is more labour intensive than other roofing methods, so it is generally more expensive.Fire hazard. Without the proper precautions, thatched roofs can be a fire hazard. ... Decay. ... Maintenance is required. ... Higher insurance costs. ... Overhanging trees. ... Animals can cause damage.

Do thatch roofs smell?

Although thatched roofs do smell, it's usually a pleasant smell. If you have a thatched roof and notice musty smells coming from it, take it as a sign there might be something wrong. The best thing to do is call in a qualified thatcher so they can diagnose the problem for you.

Can you walk on a thatched roof?

A thatched roof is not the most comfortable place to take a walk, but it is certainly possible. The key is to tread lightly and avoid any sharp objects that could puncture the straw. Of course, a thatched roof is not designed to support the weight of multiple people, so it's best to enjoy your stroll solo.

What is underneath a thatched roof?

Thatch can either refer to the layer of built up stems, leaves, and roots that accumulates between the layer of actively growing grass and the soil underneath OR, the thatch we're talking about: a building material made out of dried vegetation such as straw, water reed, rush, or heather.

Do thatched roofs get moldy?

Natural thatch, if done properly can resist it, but over time, many do develop thatch roof mold. This is so unfortunate because thatch roofing is inherently durable and beautiful.

Are thatched roofs warm?

Thatch has a much greater insulating value than any other traditional roof covering. With the right choice of material and detailing, a well-maintained thatched roof will keep a building warm in winter and cool in summer and has the added advantage of being highly sound-proof.

Are there any thatched roofs in the USA?

And many people don't even know what a thatched roof is. While there are 55,000 thatched homes in the United Kingdom, there are only eight in the United States, McGhee said.

Do snakes live in thatched roofs?

One of their main predators is the, largely nocturnal and beautifully coloured (orange/buff with black bands) tiger snake, which often inhabits thatched roofs and is harmless to humans.

Do thatched houses have more spiders?

Living within a thatched property is little different to a house with other forms of roofing when it comes to pests. The plastered ceilings and draught proofed windows hinder the migration of spiders and various insects into the home.

Is buying a thatched property a good idea?

Thatched properties come with a slightly higher cost of insurance due to a higher fire risk, they also have a more expensive rebuild value than conventional houses because they've been built using specific materials by specialists, there are only 800 master thatchers in the country after all!

Do rats live in thatch?

Squirrels and rats usually find their way into thatched roofs via an existing hole in the building or fault in the wire netting. Climbing plants growing up the outside walls also serve to encourage vermin into the roof.

How do you waterproof a thatched roof?

Thatch can be made more waterproof by using a water repellent coating – this adds a long lasting, anti mould, protective barrier from moisture absorption, reed mould, growth of moss and algae, rotting and discolouration.

How thick is a thatched roof?

The courses of thatch are usually around 6 inches (150mm) thick; depending on the type used. A suitable angle of material within the coatwork, of around 20 degrees, can be maintained by the skilled use of some Backfilling.

What is the most popular material used for thatching roofs?

All thatched roof materials have their own benefits and uses. One of the most enduringly popular thatched roof materials is reed. Reed tends to be the most durable material and reed thatched roofs have a lifespan of 25-40 years. Another popular thatched roof material is straw.

Do thatched roofs get moldy?

Natural thatch, if done properly can resist it, but over time, many do develop thatch roof mold. This is so unfortunate because thatch roofing is inherently durable and beautiful.

Can you have a thatched roof in America?

Thatch is less common in the US, but thatcher William Cahill estimates that there are thatched buildings in at least every state. However, there are at least 100,000 in Japan, 4,000 to 5,000 added annually in Holland, and an estimated two million in Africa!

Are there any thatched roofs in the USA?

And many people don't even know what a thatched roof is. While there are 55,000 thatched homes in the United Kingdom, there are only eight in the United States, McGhee said.

What is thatched roof?

What was for centuries the roofing of the poor has now become the roofing of the rich. Thatched roofs are stylish, expensive, and quintessentially English. This is the story behind the thatched roof quaintness.

Why is my thatched roof burning?

The main causes of fire are faulty wiring or badly constructed, or old, chimneys that release sparks that land on the roof. Chimneys should be properly built and maintained, and any wiring should be done by a licensed contractor.

What percentage of thatched houses are listed?

While Fowler favors triticale, he doesn’t always have a choice in his materials. In England, 95 percent of all thatched houses are Listed, meaning they have been dubbed historic structures and their character has to be preserved. Early thatchers used whatever materials were at hand.

Why do Fowler and his brother Steve have to harvest straw?

The straw has to be harvested with an antique harvester to preserve the stems because modern harvesters destroy them.

How does Fowler get his tongs?

Fowler takes a small bundle of straw, taps it down so that butts are even, lays it down, and gets all straw running in the same direction so it is all smooth and level. Then he takes a stick of split hazel sharpened at both ends, twists it to make a pair of tongs, and pushes it in around the bundle.

How thick is a hazel thatch?

This simple device, called a spar, fastens the bundle to the surface, the hazel’s natural springiness holding it in. The new thatch is 10 to 14 inches thick, and the spars work remarkably well. “It goes down as tight as if you’re putting a nail in a piece of wood,” Fowler says. The work takes place in near silence.

Where is the Fowler roof rethatched?

On one of the first fine days of spring, Fowler is rethatching one-half of a 16th-century home in rural Oxfordshire. Because of uneven weathering, the owner didn’t need to rethatch the other half of the roof, but nonetheless, the process will take weeks.

What is thatching in roofing?

Thatching is the craft of building a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, sedge ( Cladium mariscus ), rushes, heather, or palm branches, layering the vegetation so as to shed water away from the inner roof. Since the bulk of the vegetation stays dry and is densely packed—trapping air—thatching also functions as insulation. It is a very old roofing method and has been used in both tropical and temperate climates. Thatch is still employed by builders in developing countries, usually with low-cost local vegetation. By contrast, in some developed countries it is the choice of some affluent people who desire a rustic look for their home, would like a more ecologically friendly roof, or who have purchased an originally thatched abode.

Why is it so expensive to thatch a roof?

Thatched houses are harder to insure because of the perceived fire risk, and because thatching is labor-intensive, it is much more expensive to thatch a roof than to cover it with slate or tiles. Birds can damage a roof while they are foraging for grubs, and rodents are attracted by residual grain in straw.

Why is thatch so popular?

There are approximately 1,000 full-time thatchers at work in the UK, and thatching is becoming popular again because of the renewed interest in preserving historic buildings and using more sustainable building materials.

How long does thatch last?

There are more than 60,000 thatched roofs in the United Kingdom and over 150,000 in the Netherlands. Good quality straw thatch can last for more than 50 years when applied by a skilled thatcher. Traditionally, a new layer of straw was simply applied over the weathered surface, and this "spar coating" tradition has created accumulations of thatch over 7’ (2.1 m) thick on very old buildings. The straw is bundled into "yelms" before it is taken up to the roof and then is attached using staples, known as "spars", made from twisted hazel sticks. Over 250 roofs in Southern England have base coats of thatch that were applied over 500 years ago, providing direct evidence of the types of materials that were used for thatching in the medieval period. Almost all of these roofs are thatched with wheat, rye, or a "maslin" mixture of both. Medieval wheat grew to almost 6 feet (1.8 m) tall in very poor soils and produced durable straw for the roof and grain for baking bread.

How did thatching straw affect the farming industry?

Technological change in the farming industry significantly affected the popularity of thatching. The availability of good quality thatching straw declined in England after the introduction of the combine harvester in the late 1930s and 1940s, and the release of short-stemmed wheat varieties. Increasing use of nitrogen fertiliser in the 1960s–70s also weakened straw and reduced its longevity. Since the 1980s, however, there has been a big increase in straw quality as specialist growers have returned to growing older, tall-stemmed, "heritage" varieties of wheat such as Squareheads Master (1880), N59 (1959), Rampton Rivet (1937), Victor (1910) and April Bearded (early 1800s) in low input/organic conditions.

What factors affect the lifespan of a thatched roof?

The lifespan of a thatched roof also depends on the skill of the thatcher, but other factors must be considered—such as climate, quality of materials, and the roof pitch. In areas where palms are abundant, palm leaves are used to thatch walls and roofs.

What is the name of the mixture that is used to make roofs?

Almost all of these roofs are thatched with wheat, rye, or a "maslin" mixture of both. Medieval wheat grew to almost 6 feet (1.8 m) tall in very poor soils and produced durable straw for the roof and grain for baking bread. Technological change in the farming industry significantly affected the popularity of thatching.

How thick is a thatched roof?

The average thatched roof in England is about a foot thick and some English country thatch cottages are given an even more generous helping that gives the roof the soft lines of a snow drift, as if the cottage is wrapped up, all cosy in a blanket with its eyes or windows peeking out.

Where is thatch used?

Thatch was used as a form of roofing for all types of cottages, the half-timbered cottages in the woods, the stone cottages of the Cotswolds and the cob cottages of the south west of England. Some of the once major corn growing counties are listed below, here you can find the English country thatch cottage. Norfolk. Suffolk.

What is a thatched cottage?

The thatched cottage was becomming a part of the English country estate by the nighteenth century when the gentry wanted a taste of the good life and the simple pleasures of cottage living. The humble cot became the Cottage Ornée. These cottages are large by comparison and no money has been spared to build them.

What is the oldest form of roofing?

From as far north as the Scottish Highlands to the most southern point of England thatch was used, the thatch may be made of heather, straw, or reeds depending on the area. Thatching is one of the oldest building crafts and the thatched roof is one of the oldest forms of roofing.

Why do thatches need straws?

Thatching needs whole straws so that they can be aligned in bundles to place on the roof. For this the straw needs to be harvested by hand. When thatch ceased to be the cheapest form of roofing because tile, especially Welsh slate in the 1820's became available the English thatched cottage began its decline.

What is the most common type of wheat in England?

This is a characteristic of thatched cottages in Hampshire, Dorset and Devon where a heavy layer of thatch is used to create a sumptuous overhanging full thatch roof. Wheat reed is used to create clean straight stems more common in thatched roofs in Somerset, Devon and other southern counties.

Where did the English thatched cottage originate?

The English thatched cottage began in the primitive thatched dwellings of the Bronze age. From as far north as the Scottish Highlands to the most southern point of England thatch was used, ...

What is thatch roof?

No matter what size or shape your roof is, thatch is a flexible, soft material that can be shaped on any roof. Cool designs and patterns can also be formed at the ridge and the edges, so it can be customised to your taste.

How long has thatching been around?

Thatching is the oldest form of roofing, it has been around for 10,000 years and it still exists and is still used on many buildings today, from commercial through to residential.

What are the disadvantages of a thatched roof?

This process can take a good few weeks and is priced on the size of your property ; the larger the property the higher the price is likely to be .

Why is it important to have a thatched house?

It can raise the selling price of a house and proves a good investment.

When do thatch fires occur?

Most thatch fires will occur between September and April as more people are likely to use a log burner etc. and if the chimney bricks are cracked or not insulated properly then a fire can occur. If you would like any advice on thatched roofs or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Can a fire start in a thatched roof?

However, a fire is no more likely to start in a thatched property than a regular property, it is because of the materials used to thatch a roof means a fire will spread quickly and the damage done is greater and costly.

What is a Thatched Roof?

The roofs in many traditional buildings are often made of thatch. Thatched Roofs are roofs made with bundles (sheaves) of reeds or straw, laid close together and tied at top to keep the sheaves from shifting.

A Brief History of Thatched Roof

Thatched methods have been around for a long time. There used to be many natives of America who would thatch their houses. Thatching became popular in England at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Factors Affect The Durability Of Thatched Roofs

The first thing to understand is that there are a number of factors that will affect the durability of a thatched roof.

Advantage Of Using A Thatched Roof

A thatched roof is the best kind of roofing you can have for your house if you want to save money on your energy bill.

Disadvantage Of Using A Thatched Roof

The thatch roof is also a bit difficult to install because you need to lay the dried grasses in such a way that they overlap each other and tie them together with ropes. This requires manual dexterity which can be quite challenging.

Is Thatched Roof The Best For Your House?

A thatched roof is not the best option to use if you want to save energy because it provides natural insulation which means no air conditioning.

Where was thatch used in the church?

Churches also used thatch frequently. In one humorous episode the parish church at Reyden, near Southwold, was roofed in 1880 with thatch on the side of the church hidden from the road, and with tiles on the side facing the road. Presumably, the tiles looked more elegant than the more commonplace thatch.

What is thatching in architecture?

Loosely speaking, thatching is the use of straw or grasses as a building material. Using thatch for roofing goes back as far as the Bronze Age in Britain. At Shearplace Hall in Dorset there are remains of a round hut that shows signs of thatching. Thatched cottages and farm buildings were the norm in rural Britain for a millennium or more.

How does one thatch a cottage?

So how does one thatch a cottage? First, the thatch is tied in bundles, then laid in an underlayer on the roof beams and pegged in place with rods made of hazel or withy.

What caused the decline of thatching?

What caused the decline of thatching? Primarily better transportation. The growing railway network in the Victorian era meant that cheap slate from Wales became easily available all over Britain . Agricultural machinery, particularly the combine harvester, had the unfortunate effect of making wheat straw unusable for thatching. This made Norfolk reed all the more prized, and now the latter material is grown specifically for use in thatching.

Where are thatched cottages found?

Thatched cottages in Calbourne, Isle of Wight. This meant materials as diverse as broom, sedge, sallow, flax, grass, and straw. Most common is wheat straw in the south of England, and reeds in East Anglia. Norfolk reed is especially prized by thatchers, although in northern England and Scotland heather was frequently used.

What was the most common material used in the Norman castle?

Although thatch was primarily used by the poor, occasionally great houses used this most common of materials. In 1300 the great Norman castle at Pevensey (Sussex) bought up 6 acres of rushes to roof the hall and chambers. Much later, in the late 18th century thatched cottages became an extremely popular theme with the "picturesque" painters, who tried to portray an idealized (Romantic/sanitized) version of nature.

What is a false thatched roof?

False Thatched Roof. A thatched roof is one of the most distinguishing features of a traditional English cottage. While thatched roofs have a classic look and feel, there are reasons why they’ve been superseded by more modern building materials — chief among them their high cost and extensive maintenance requirements.

What is thatched cedar shingles?

Distinct: Thatched cedar shingles provide one of the most distinct looks on homes of all ages. Throughout the U.S., homeowners with a love for unique home architecture have chosen thatched roofing because it resembles no other roofing on the market. Whether your tastes are subtle or exotic, a thatched roof could be the perfect finishing touch.

How long does synthetic thatch last?

As such, synthetic thatch is a vanity investment with little payback. During the typical span of a residential occupancy — anywhere from eight to 15 years — you will generally need to replace a synthetically thatched roof at least once.

Why is synthetic thatch so cold?

Coldness: Due to the lack of strength in synthetic thatch, roofs made of such material offer poor insulation. Consequently, homes with this type of roofing are liable to be cold during winter months. If you live in a colder climate, you could face astronomical heating bills between November and February with synthetic thatch roofing.

How long does a cedar roof last?

As long as the thatch is adequately maintained, a roof of this type could last for 30 years or more.

What is the difference between natural and false thatch?

You could summarize the difference between false and natural thatch as follows — false thatch is customized by cedar, one of the most durable roofing materials. Regular thatch, be it natural or synthetic, is a far weaker roofing option overall. As such, false thatch offers numerous advantages, including:

What is a steam shingle roof?

Steam-Shaped: Cedar shingles are steam-bent to provide a thick texture and eye-capturing appearance. Shingles of this variety provide strong roofing that keeps interiors warm and protected throughout the year. With a false thatched cedar roof, your home will be comfortable for years to come.

Overview

Material

History

Maintenance in temperate climates

Flammability

Performance

Archaeology

Examples