A traditional style of roofing using dry vegetation such as straw or reeds to insulate and shed away water, thatching currently protects more than 60,000 properties in the UK, 75% of which are listed buildings.
Thatched roofs have limited lifespans, with the various reeds that make up the thatching known to last anywhere between 10 and 60 years depending on exposure to the elements, humidity, location, proximity to trees and interference from the local bird population.
When the finish of a thatched roof starts to look thin or tired, or the fixings become exposed, careful repair work can often restore its appearance and prolong its life without the need for the entire thatch to be replaced.
The thatching experts in our building restoration team can source matching thatch to replace areas that have been lost and restore the roof’s character and charm.
Where a roof is shedding a significant amount, or leaking water, a complete re-thatch may be necessary.
In these circumstances, our thatching experts will recommend the most suitable material to be used for the thatch, taking into consideration the location of the property and surrounding environmental factors. This material may match the current thatch or be a more appropriate, potentially longer-lasting alternative.
Where possible, we use a lot of water reed and wheat read. Lasting for up to 60 years, water reed has the longest lifespan of any thatch material, making it a cost-effective choice for many properties, particularly those with angular roofs that can make full use of its straight lengths.
For rounded roofs, we recommend wheat reed, which has a softer finish and a 25 to 35-year lifespan. Combed wheat reed is best suited to the curvature of the ridge, which is one of the areas most susceptible to damage and, as such, may need to be rethatched more often (every 10 to 15 years).
Alongside our thatching maintenance and re-thatching services, we can offer property owners additional protective measures to prolong the lifespan of their thatch.
These include applying fire retardant material to reduce the risk of fire damage, and installing mesh wiring to defend against birds removing or making a nest in the thatch.
