People made the thatched roof from reeds, straw, grass, bracken fern, and sedge plants. In different regions, these roofs are called “thatch roofs” or “thatch-thatched roofs,” depending on the local dialect or language. Thatch is an ancient roofing material. It’s been more common historically than wooden or stone buildings because of how easy it is to build and the variety of thatch available.
How long does a thatched roof last?
Almost everyone asks why you’d want a thatched roof. The answer is that it adds so much character to a house and looks gorgeous! There are no other types of roofs with such distinctive textures and ridges as thatched ones. The cheapest form of roof historically was a thatched roof, but if you compare the modern-day thatch with the old one, you’ll be able to tell the difference.
Now, back to the question at hand, how long will it last? Your thatch roof material can affect its lifespan. For example:
- It’ll last 25-40+ years if you have water reed thatch
- 25-35 year old combed wheat reed
- From 15 to 25 years of longstraw thatch
- Every 10 to 15 years, you need to replace the ridges
You need to choose a reputable company when hiring a roof thatcher so you can trust them. An unskilled or unqualified thatcher can actually do more harm than good on your building.
What are the benefits of a thatched roof?
Through the thick roofing, aircraft, and traffic noise can be effectively blocked. Also, because of its insulation, it keeps the thatched property cool during the summer and warm during the winter, resulting in lower fuel costs.
Moreover, the smaller windows that makeup such a property contribute to its insulation as well. In comparison to modern cavity-filled walls, thatched properties typically have very thick, solid walls due to their age. It is very difficult for the outside heat to reach the inside in summer, ensuring that the temperature remains cool.
How to extend the lifespan of your thatched roof ?
It’s easy to extend the lifespan of newly thatched roofs with proper care and maintenance. Make sure your contractor and you take these precautions when repairing it.
- It’s important to remove vermin and bird nests from your roof. They can cause damage, leaks, and other problems. Having your roof thatched by an experienced thatcher will save you a lot of money in the long run.
- Make sure you ventilate your roof after rain to prevent moss and algae from growing. An experienced thatcher will recommend keeping your roof out of the shade.
- Check your eaves for discoloration or dips in the roof’s main coat. Don’t think a neat ridge means you have a well-thatched roof. If the roof was recently re-ridged, that could just mean the previous owner just re-ridged it. The roof will be examined by a quality thatcher to make sure there aren’t any underlying problems you didn’t realize existed.
- When thatchers aren’t experienced or low quality, they damage the thatch with ladders, tools, or walking on coat-work. Divots speed up thatch degradation.
How does a thatched roof benefit you?
There are a few reasons why thatched roofs are better than slates and tiles:
- You don’t get rotten roofs because they’re naturally breathable.
- Because there’s a lot of air trapped in the bundles and hollow reeds, they’re great insulators, so there’s usually no need to insulate it.
- Due to their low heat conductivity, thatched roofs are also cool in the summer.
- Since they’re made from natural materials, there’s no need to mine or quarry.
- A beautiful and striking addition to any home.
- Since no gutters or drainpipes are needed, it’s cheaper.
- You can increase your home’s value with them.
- The roof timbers can be smaller because thatch is lighter than tiles.
What’s the downside?
Although some of them can be prevented, thatched roofs have their drawbacks.
- Even though they’re very safe, fire prevention measures can make them a fire hazard.
- Insurance premiums can be higher when there’s a perceived fire risk.
- When birds hunt for insects, they pull out the straws – this requires attention eventually.
- When the angle is too gentle, rain and snow won’t fall off as efficiently, which can accelerate rotting and overload the structure.
- New reeds need to replace damaged, rotted or lost ones every few years on thatched roofs.
Conclusion: How long do thatched roofs last
In my opinion, thatched roofs are a very dated way to protect a building. Thatched roofs have a timeless charm. Their unique appearance sets them apart, and their eco-friendly nature makes them appealing. With proper care, you can enjoy your thatched roof for decades.