General Thatch Help

1) How does thatch keep the weather out?

A combination of its compactness and the steep pitch of a thatched roof mean water runs off the roof by dropping from one end of a stem of reed to another. A new thatch will only ever get wet about 1" down from the surface.

2) Why don't most thatched roofs have gutters?

Generally because of the thickness of the thatch the bottom projects far enough away from the walls of the property to shed the water away from the walls.

3) What therefore happens to the water run-off?

Some new properties have a soak-away trench - filled with small stones, but with a lot of properties the water just finds its own way of soaking into the groundor drying on the surface of the ground.

4) Can I have gutters on my roof?

It is not usual but yes you can. Metal brackets are made for the gutter which is oftern made of timber and is V shaped. Some properties have them over the doorways.

5) How thick is thatch?

In the UK new water reed or straw os generally 12" - 15" thick. (300 - 450mm).

6) Why are some roofs a lot thicker than others?

With straw roofs layers are added to existing layers (re-coating,) sometimes these roofs can be 3" or 4" thick.

7) Is it the case the thicker the thatch the better?

No it is not the thickness of the thatch, but the pitch of the reed on the roof that is the crucial element in shedding water. Often a thick coat of thatch will have a slacker pitch. The length of the reed or straw also has a role to play.

8) How long does a thatched roof stay new looking?

About 1 - 2 years. Most then turn a charcoal grey colour.

9) Can I spray my roof with anything anyhing to make it stay new looking?

Some fire retardant sprays increase the time a new thatched roof stays looking new.

10) What is the ridge made of?

In the UK ridges are made from straw or sedge because this is the easy to bend over and form a watertight bond at the top.

11) Are thatched roofs expensive to insure?

Applying fire preventative measures makes insuring a thatched roof in the uk comparable with other conventional roofs.

12) How is a thatched roof fixed?

Nailed, tied or stitched/screwed to the roof, and with a recoating job, sparred to a base.

13) Can any roof be thatched?

Yes, as long as it is steep enough. A 45° angle is the minimum requirement.

14) I have a roof that is not quite 45° , how long would it last if it was thatched?

It is difficult to say, even on many steep thatched roofs of 50° + there are areas that have a slacker pitch, such as tops of Dormer windows. You should not expect these to last as long as the body of the roof. It would also depend on the material and craftsmen.

15) How much does thatch weigh?

Roughly 7lbs per square foot.

16) Do I need to put felt under my thatch?

No, this is no longer recommended due to potential affect on the lifespan of the thatch.