What should we look for with respect to the roof?

Thatch, unlike most other roofing materials, is usually more evident when it is nearing the end of its useful life. Look out for fixings starting to show: when newly thatched, fixings should have a covering of approximately 6" to 10".

The coat work should have a nice even look, if gulleys or dips are forming it is recommend that a survey by a thatcher should be undertaken.

Dark wet patches under the eaves indicate water penetration.  Thatched roofs need to shed the water as quickly as possible. Where a roof has a valley, it is likely that the thatch in that area will deteriorate far quicker as there is a large volume of water running down one area.

Moss and lichen generally grow on the north side of the roof, especially where there are overhanging trees. They hold water and will accelerate roof wear. Routine thatch maintenance such as a re-ridge will mean that the thatcher will remove any moss and lichen and will tidy the coat-work whilst on the roof. It is not recommended that moss and lichen are removed if the roof is nearing the end of its life; doing so could cause more damage than good.

How does thatch keep the rain out?

Rain is kept out of the building by the angle of the roof and the angle by which the straw is laid.  A thatched roof should ideally be between 45 and 55 degrees (although this varies over windows or in valleys) which forces the rain to run down the thatch material and run off at the eaves. A properly constructed thatched roof should have no water penetration.

How is thatch fixed to the roof ?

The thatch is fixed to the roof by means of thatching crooks, stainless steel screw fixings and hazel spars.

How thick is the thatch?

Generally, it is 12" - 15" thick.

How heavy is thatch?

Roughly, 7lbs per sq foot, or 34 kg/m2.

Is thatch a good insulator?

Yes, it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Can materials be fire-retardant?

Yes, but not fire proofed, the material can either be sprayed on completion of the thatch or the material dipped in a fire retardant before being applied to the roof.

What about lead work?

With the exception of box gutters and gullies, all lead work is dressed down on to the surface of thatch i.e. around chimneys. I can carry out all necessary lead work for you.

What are the benefits of wire netting?

It provides a barrier to vermin and birds to stops them nesting in the thatch. Netting becomes virtually invisible when it is laid on the roof, especially once the 'brand new' look has faded.

What is a safe chimney height above the thatch?

1.8 metres is the minimum recommended height.

What should we look for with respect to the roof?

Thatch, unlike most other roofing materials, is usually more evident when it is nearing the end of its useful life. Look out for fixings starting to show: when newly thatched, fixings should have a covering of approximately 6" to 10".

The coat work should have a nice even look, if gulleys or dips are forming it is recommend that a survey by a thatcher should be undertaken.

Dark wet patches under the eaves indicate water penetration.  Thatched roofs need to shed the water as quickly as possible. Where a roof has a valley, it is likely that the thatch in that area will deteriorate far quicker as there is a large volume of water running down one area.

Moss and lichen generally grow on the north side of the roof, especially where there are overhanging trees. They hold water and will accelerate roof wear. Routine thatch maintenance such as a re-ridge will mean that the thatcher will remove any moss and lichen and will tidy the coat-work whilst on the roof. It is not recommended that moss and lichen are removed if the roof is nearing the end of its life; doing so could cause more damage than good.

How does thatch keep the rain out?

Rain is kept out of the building by the angle of the roof and the angle by which the straw is laid.  A thatched roof should ideally be between 45 and 55 degrees (although this varies over windows or in valleys) which forces the rain to run down the thatch material and run off at the eaves. A properly constructed thatched roof should have no water penetration.

How is thatch fixed to the roof ?

The thatch is fixed to the roof by means of thatching crooks, stainless steel screw fixings and hazel spars.

How thick is the thatch?

Generally, it is 12" - 15" thick.

How heavy is thatch?

Roughly, 7lbs per sq foot, or 34 kg/m2.

Is thatch a good insulator?

Yes, it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Can materials be fire-retardant?

Yes, but not fire proofed, the material can either be sprayed on completion of the thatch or the material dipped in a fire retardant before being applied to the roof.

What about lead work?

With the exception of box gutters and gullies, all lead work is dressed down on to the surface of thatch i.e. around chimneys. I can carry out all necessary lead work for you.

What are the benefits of wire netting?

It provides a barrier to vermin and birds to stops them nesting in the thatch. Netting becomes virtually invisible when it is laid on the roof, especially once the 'brand new' look has faded.

What is a safe chimney height above the thatch?

1.8 metres is the minimum recommended height.