How long does a thatched roof last?
- Water Reed thatch should last from 25 to 40+ years
- Straw thatch from 15 to 25 years
- Ridges need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years
What is the life expectancy of a roof?
Print it out and use it to assess the life expectancy of any roof when buying a new home or planning for future roof replacement needs in your own home. Right Off the Bat: A typical asphalt shingle roof will normally last anywhere from 15 to 25 years (and up to 30+ years in some rare cases) before requiring a replacement.
How long does it take to thatch a roof?
How long does it take to thatch a roof? It takes approximately two to four days for a team of three thatchers to thatch a roof. The time required to thatch a roof varies on the type of roof, the roof size, and the amount of rain in the area.
How long does it typically take to replace a roof?
While the process of replacing a roof is extensive and there is much to be done, most quality, professional roofs can complete a typical replacement in 1-4 days. Depending on the roofing company and roofing materials used, the time estimate will vary. Here are some common types of roofing materials and how long they typically take to be installed:
What is the average life of a roof?
You could increase the lifespan of a roof if you take good care of it. The average lifespan of a roof is between 10 years to a lifetime, depending on the materials used, maintenance, and the weather conditions of your area. Did you like this article?

How often do you need to replace a thatched roof?
Contrary 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.
How much does it cost to replace a thatched roof in England?
Estimated Thatched Roof Cost by SizeRoof SizeNew Thatched RoofEstimated Total CostMedium thatched roof (9 squares) or 900 square feet)£5,000 to £7,900£6,250 to £16,600Large, thatched roof (12 squares) or 1200 square feet)£6,700 to £9,400£8,400 to £22,2501 more row•Jan 26, 2022
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.
Are thatched roofs hard to maintain?
Maintenance in temperate climates Good thatch does not require frequent maintenance. In England a ridge normally lasts 8–14 years, and re-ridging is required several times during the lifespan of a thatch. Experts no longer recommend covering thatch with wire netting, as this slows evaporation and reduces longevity.
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.
How much does a master thatcher earn?
Pay Often fluctuates year-on-year. Can range from £15,000-£30,000. Hours In harvesting and thrashing season 10-hour days start at 7am. On thatching days, 8.30am to 6pm, depending on the weather and light.
Do you get mice in thatched roof?
Mice and Rats They are persistent, destructive and if they have access to food sources and water, rats in thatched roofs are not easy to deal with. They will not come out, certainly not in winter. But if there is no water supply, they will attempt to get in and out of the thatch to find one.
Do thatched roofs have bugs?
Thatch roof buildings are beautiful and project an aura of luxury. The wild beasts of the fields think so too! 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.
Are thatched houses 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.
Does a thatched roof add value?
A Thatched Roof Increases The Resale Value Of A Property A thatched roof will add a significant amount to your property's resale value. It is not uncommon for thatched cottages to be sold at a 20 percent premium over non-thatched properties in the same village.
Do thatched roofs leak?
Thatched roofs do not leak, they are actually better at keeping water out than many other roofing options. But that doesn't mean they don't leak at all. Thatch is a natural and environmentally friendly roofing material that keeps buildings cool in hot weather, warm in cold weather, dry in heavy rainstorms.
Are thatched roofs expensive to insure?
Are thatched roofs more expensive to insure? Expect to pay more for your buildings or contents insurance as a thatched roof is a bigger fire risk than a slate roof. They also have a more expensive rebuild value than conventional houses because they've been built using specific materials by specialists.
What is the average price of a thatched roof?
Install thatched roof: costSurface roofNewly built thatched roofNew & insulated thatched roof100 m²£ 8,700 - 11,000 (approx. £95/m²)£ 15,000 - 18,000 (approx. £160/m²)200 m²£ 17,500 - 22,000£ 29,000 - £34,500300 m²£ 24,500 - 31,500£ 43,500 - 52,000
Can you change a thatched roof to tiles UK?
Q Can you replace thatched roof with tiles? Yes, it is possible to replace a thatched roof with tiles. Some people choose to do so because their thatching is in such poor shape that it's not worth replacing. Others simply like the look of tiles better.
Is it more expensive to insure a thatched house?
Are thatched roofs more expensive to insure? Expect to pay more for your buildings or contents insurance as a thatched roof is a bigger fire risk than a slate roof. They also have a more expensive rebuild value than conventional houses because they've been built using specific materials by specialists.
How do you maintain a thatched roof?
In the course of the overall care of a thatched roof it is advised to clean the roof and to re-tighten it once a year. The better a thatched roof is cared for and the better it is maintained, the more durable it will be. A roof dirty with fir needles, leaves, moss and algae needs more time to dry than a clean roof.
How Often Should You Replace A Thatched Roof
A quality thatched roof can last a long time, and if made well it may not even require a great deal of maintenance. The longevity of a thatched roof depends on several factors. If you are wondering how long your roof will last you should consider the following factors.
Maintaining A Thatched Roof
Thatched roofs do not require constant maintenance. They do, however, require upkeep. The better a roof is maintained, the longer it will likely last. If you follow a consistent maintenance schedule you are likely to get the most out of your thatched roof’s lifespan. There are several ways you can help preserve and maintain your thatched roof.
Ridging And Why It Matters
Ridging is found along the top angles of a roof. On a thatched roof you will find most of its crucial ridging on the top peak of the roof. While some thatched roofs will last upwards of 50 years, most roof ridges should be replaced every 8 to 10 years.
Signs It Is Time To Replace A Thatched Roof
Holes Or Bald Spots In Thatch. If you notice patchy spots on the roof that expose the layers beneath that then your roof is likely starting to deteriorate. You should look into replacing the roof if you notice this.
Ways To Make Your Thatched Roof Last Longer
Use Better Thatch. The type that you use can make a huge difference. Some palm and straw thatches will only last a maximum of 10 years. Water Reed, and some synthetic thatches, however, can easily last 40 to 50 years.
Pros And Cons To Thatched Roofs
They Look Great. More than any other pros, its the aesthetic of a thatched roof that really sells this style of roof. It has a very homey and nostalgic quality that is very appealing and also very marketable when selling the home.
Tying Up Loose Ends
There are several variables to consider when you wonder how long your thatch roof will last. The first area to consider is how it was built and what it was built with. Professional work using the most durable types of thatch will last the longest (50 years or so).
How long do thatches last?
How long does a thatched roof last? 1 Water Reed thatch should last from 25 to 40+ years 2 Straw thatch from 15 to 25 years 3 Ridges need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years
What to do when repairing a thatched roof?
Ensure that both you and your contractor take the following precautions when repairing your thatched roof. Remove vermin and bird nests from your roof. These can easily cause damage to a thatched roof, leading to leaks and other damage to your roof.
How long does water reed thatch last?
Water Reed thatch should last from 25 to 40+ years. Straw thatch from 15 to 25 years. Ridges need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. It’s important to note that an unskilled or unqualified thatcher can actually do more harm than good on your building, and some have been known to damage the roof even more.
Why do you keep your roof out of shade?
An experienced thatcher will recommend that your roof is kept out of the shade to prevent the likelihood of moss and algae growth. Examine the eave, as discolouration or dips in the main coat work often indicates deep rooted damage in the structure of the roof.
Can thatchers damage thatch?
Inexperienced and low quality thatchers will often damage the thatch with ladders, tools, or walking on the coat-work. Divots accelerate thatch degradation and should be avoided.
Do you need gutters on a thatch roof?
Guttering and drainpipes are not required on thatch roofs, saving you money in this area.
Is thatch breathable?
Thatch is naturally breathable (more so than slate and tiles) which generally prevents rotting
How long does a thatched roof last?
The lifespan of a thatched roof depends largely on how well it was built, how steep it is, how often it is maintained and which material is used to construct it. The prevailing weather is also a factor (the drier the better), and thatched roofs under trees can deteriorate more quickly as the sugars dripping off them can help bacteria to breed.
What are the advantages of a thatched roof?
Thatched roofs have several advantages over slates and tiles: 1 The roof is naturally breathable, which prevents rotting 2 Because there is a lot of trapped air in the bundles and in the hollow reeds, they have great insulating properties, so there’s usually no need to insulate the loft 3 Thatched roofs are also cool in the summer thanks to low heat conductivity 4 They are made from natural materials, so there’s no mining or quarrying required, making them more environmentally friendly 5 They are beautiful and striking, adding character to any property 6 Because no guttering and drainpipes are required, there is a cost-saving 7 They can increase the value of a home 8 Thatch is lighter than tiles, so the roof timbers can be smaller
What is thatch made of?
In the UK, there are three main materials used in the construction of a thatched roof: water reed, combed wheat reed and long straw. They each have their qualities and availabilities, and there’s some regional variation to the types. Long straw is less prevalent nowadays because farmers tend to grow shorter varieties of wheat as it’s quicker to grow and easier to harvest. Roof thatching used to be a by-product of agriculture, but now it’s grown specifically. Most of the reed used in British thatched roofing today is imported, usually from Hungary.
How much water will penetrate a thatched roof?
If a thatched roof is well made, water will only penetrate to about 50 mm, which is about 20% of the whole depth.
What angle should reeds be on a roof?
Bundles of reeds are fixed to the timbers angled downwards at about 20°, then piled on top of each other so that the final angle of the roof edge is between 45° and 50°. The steeper the outer angle, the better the roof will be at letting water run off, and that will prolong the life of the thatch. However, the steeper the angle, ...
Is a thatched roof a good thing?
When all’s said and done, if you’re happy to treat it with respect and care, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy your thatched roof for decades to come.
Are there maintenance costs?
This will probably come to less than £1000 a year. You might also have slightly higher home insurance premiums because of the fire risk.
How long does a thatched roof last?
So back to the question at hand, how long will it last? The materials used on your thatched roof can contribute to the lifespan of it. For example: 1 Water Reed thatch should last from 25 to 40+ years 2 Combed Wheat Reed from 25 to 35 years 3 Longstraw thatch from 15 to 25 years 4 Ridges need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years
Why do people have thatched roofs?
Many people also ask why you would have a thatched roof. My answer is they add so much character to a property and look utterly stunning! They are unique, and no other type of roof has the distinctive textures and ridges as a thatched roof. Historically a thatched roof was the cheapest form of roofing, however, comparing that to the modern day thatch you will visibly be able to see a difference in the condition and finish.
How to tell if a roof needs repair?
Keep an eye on your roof throughout the year (especially before and after winter) you can see where about on your roof needs repair by checking the ridge. If the ridge has metal netting (which it should, to protect it from animals), the wire mesh might seem raised up which shows that the thatch has degraded and the spars may be sticking out. If you notice lines across main roof coating and dips in the thatch also shows wear.
Can you maintain a thatched roof?
Although a thatched roof can have a long lifespan, there can be slight maintenance required due to the factors listed about and the natural degradation of materials over time which is inevitable. To keep your thatched roof looking great there are a few things both you can do, and roof thatchers can do.
Can vermin damage a thatched roof?
Vermin and birds can cause damage to a thatched roof if it isn’t correctly protected. This could then cause leaks and other damage to your roof which in turn leads to fixing costs, so it is best to get your roof thatched to a high quality to avoid any additional unnecessary costs further down the line. Before we thatch any property, we carry out a full inspection whether you need a full re-thatch or a repair. We get to know the ins and outs of your property, finding any hidden gaps, etc. that might hinder our thatch. We do this to give you a high-quality thatch and ensure that your thatch roof will last longer.
How long does an ARTIFICIAL thatched roof last?
ONETHATCH proudly offers our synthetic palm leaf thatching that is durable, easy to install, and comes with a 20-year warranty. The product has been UV tested with amazing color stableness. Therefore, if you rethatch your tiki hut or construct your first tiki bar with ONETHATCH PALM materials, you can enjoy decades of maintenance-free synthetic tiki thatch beauty.
How long does a tiki roof last?
When using natural thatch materials installed by a skilled thatcher, and giving proper maintenance regualrly, the lifespan of a tiki thatched roof is between 3 to 4 years! And if your house was affected by the sea breeze, the lifespan will be reduced dramatically. 2 years. That is the estimated time to rethatch your resort tiki huts, tiki bars & tiki umbrellas in your resort if you considering using natural thatch materials like palm fond.
Is Onethatch Palm water proof?
ONETHATCH Palm is available in three-leaf textures that will be visible on the ceiling side. It’s self-waterproof and no sub-deck required .
