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.
