that might hinder our thatch. They look nice and even though they’re expensive to install initially, they’re a good investment because of how long they can last. We have worked in Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Coventry, Derby, Hertfordshire, Leicester, Nottingham, Northampton, Oxford, Rutland, Rugby, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire and beyond. Thatch is popular in the United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, parts of France, Sicily, Belgium and Ireland. In other words, as long as any other roof. The quality of the grass used, the angle at which the roof is constructed and climatic conditions. The answer should be between 20 to 30 years depending on climatic conditions. Just like any construction project, thatched roofs have two costs: materials and labour. It goes without saying that these are rough estimates, and that a thatcher would be able to give you an accurate quote based on their measurements and experience of similar jobs. And they are the most difficult ones to answer, as nearly every thatch roof is a unique combination, of the size, shape and location of the roof and the materials and thatching skills used to create it. Thatched roofing usually lasts about 5-6 years before needing a rethatch. If the roof is properly laid and the right grass is used the average thatch roof can last for approximately 25 years, however, in the right climatic conditions, it would be able to last for up to 30 years. Most of the reed used in British thatched roofing today is imported, usually from Hungary. Q How often do thatched roofs need replacing? Under normal conditions, a good thatched roof will not last more than 60 years without requiring major repairs. Pollutants and other environmental considerations. The main factors are: The pitch – the steeper the pitch faster the roof can shed water. That’s why should use a master thatcher with proven experience. A well-built ridge can last between 15 and 20 years, so only one or two replacements should be necessary before a thatched roof needs total replacement. A beginners guide to the craft of thatching; which answers two questions; how long does thatch last and how much will it cost… These are the questions every thatcher is asked most frequently. A well installed thatched roof that has been constructed using good quality materialsis likely to stay serviceable for anywhere up to 50 years. How long does a roof last? Thatch is the best insulated roofing available to man. The roof is naturally breathable, which prevents rotting, 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, Thatched roofs are also cool in the summer thanks to low heat conductivity, They are made from natural materials, so there’s no mining or quarrying required, making them more environmentally friendly, They are beautiful and striking, adding character to any property, Because no guttering and drainpipes are required, there is a cost-saving, Thatch is lighter than tiles, so the roof timbers can be smaller. Just like any construction project, thatched roofs have two costs: materials and labour. That is until a problem develops. In other words, as long as any other roof. This is the story behind the thatched roof quaintness. However, the roof ridge will have to be replaced roughly every 8 – 10 years. For example: Water Reed thatch should last from 25 to 40+ years. How long does a thatched roof last? Generally water reed is thought to last the longest around 25 – 40 years, Combed Wheat Reed 25-35 and Longstraw 15-25 , … When thatched properly by professionals, the major portion of such a roof (the water reed) should last 40 to 50 years. Q: How long does a thatch roof last? The 50-year figure for a replacement thatched roof is, of course, subject to the type of materials that were used either in the original build or during any subsequent repla… Before we thatch any property, we carry out a full inspection whether you need a full re-thatch or a repair. A good water reed roof should last between 25 and 40 years; combed wheat reed lasts 25 to 35 years, and long straw has a … How long does a thatched roof last in typical Southern African conditions? This will probably come to less than £1000 a year. An annual visit from a thatcher is always a good idea; they should be able to inspect your roof and make any small repairs that need doing. Few owners nowadays want their thatch to look like this, although it would have been the norm a couple of generations ago. So a small cottage with a simple pitched roof will cost considerably less than a large detached house with multiple chimney breasts, dormer windows and irregular features. How long does a thatch roof last? However, the steeper the angle, the taller it will need to be, and that means more thatch to pay for – so the angle is a compromise between water run-off and cost. How long does a thatch roof last in typical Southern African conditions? We do a test to see how fast it takes for thatch (water reed) to burst into flame. A darker roof tends to absorb more heat. In order to insure a maximum lifespan of the roof the palm fronds must be precisely placed and thatched properly to … 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. A thatched roof needs consistent maintenance to prolong the life of the roof. As a living material they are known to keep the cottage warm in winter but cool in the summer. How long does the thatch last? Heart of England Master Thatchers Ltd is based in Leicestershire and is close to all the major road links giving easy access to Thatched Properties across the UK. 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. 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. With regular maintenance, your standard thatched roof (consisting of the ridge or uppermost part and the top layer of thatch or coatwork) will last for years, depending on various factors including materials. For example: The quality of the material can also contribute to the life expectancy which is why here at Heart of England we only use materials of a high quality. There are more than 60,000 thatched roofs in the United Kingdom and over 150,000 in the Netherlands. Each of these has a different lifespan. Note that a 50 year roof is comparable to the warranty on other types of roofing such as metal or lifetime asphalt composition shingle. That would cost about £6,500 to install. If the angle is too gentle, rain and snow will not fall off efficiently, which can speed up rotting and, in the case of snow, overload the structure. Water reed thatch can last 25-45+ years. Before & After. Traditional annual patch and repair on a National Trust property. Some thatchers can damage the roof if they are not familiar with the thatch or type of property. The roof sits above our heads silently doing its job. Just like your car or boiler, regular maintenance is the key to getting good value for money and longevity out of your thatched roof. A lighter colored roof reflects heat, thus decreasing indoor temperatures. W hen the Bronze Age inhabitants of England wanted to put roofs on their houses, they gathered up the materials at hand—long-stemmed plants such as wheat or straw. Rodents and birds must find a thatched roof very appealing, particularly in winter so care must be taken to make it as difficult as possible for these pests to make their home in your. However, the roof ridge will have to be replaced roughly every 8 - 10 years. 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. When thatched properly by professionals, the major portion of such a roof (the water reed) should last 40 to 50 years. If the roof is properly laid and the right grass is used the average thatch roof can last for approximately 25 years, however, in the right climatic conditions, it would be able to last for up to 30 years. Since the dry thatch will have a longer life, it’s possible to strip off the top layer every ten years or so but leave the lower layers in place. How long will it last? This often leaves an under coat of ancient thatch - sometimes thousands of years old - that can be 4 or 5 feet thick. Most thatched rooves are made of one of three natural materials - Water Reed or Norfolk Reed as it is also known, Combed Wheat or Long Straw. It can last about 40-60 years, depending on site, condition and angle. But how exactly does a thatched roof keep out the rain? Among the historical general beam abstracts are thatch; turf; and huge, abounding branches. The longest durability for thatched roofing design may reached 65 years. 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